How to Open Attachments in MSG Files on Mobile Devices
Question details
The user needs to open embedded attachments within MSG files while using a mobile phone, specifically through the OneDrive or SharePoint apps.
- Product
- OneDrive and SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- Mobile devices
- Scenario
- Attempting to access and open file attachments located inside an MSG file stored in SharePoint or OneDrive on a mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- The mobile apps successfully preview the MSG file itself, but the embedded attachments remain inaccessible and cannot be opened.
Ensure you have access to a Windows PC or Mac with Microsoft Outlook installed, as mobile apps currently cannot open embedded MSG attachments.
Access MSG Attachments Using Desktop Outlook
Since mobile apps do not support extracting attachments from MSG files, syncing the files to a desktop computer with Outlook is the best workaround.
This is expected behavior in the OneDrive and SharePoint Online mobile apps. While they can preview the body text of the MSG file, extracting embedded files requires a full desktop email client.
Access a Windows PC or Mac that has the Microsoft Outlook desktop application installed.
Sync your OneDrive or SharePoint library to your local computer using the desktop sync client.
Locate the synced MSG file in your local file explorer and double-click to open it natively in Outlook.
Once the MSG file is open in the Outlook window, double-click the embedded attachment icon to view it or right-click to save it to your local drive.
Looking for a Lightweight Alternative to Manage Document Attachments?
While you need Outlook to open MSG files, WPS Office is the perfect free alternative for opening and editing the actual attachments, such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PDFs extracted from your emails.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office on your desktop or mobile device.
- 2. Save attachments: Save the extracted document attachments from your email to your local drive.
- 3. Open and edit: Open the documents seamlessly in WPS Office for editing or sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I preview the MSG file but not open the attachment on my phone?
This is an expected behavior and limitation of the OneDrive and SharePoint Online mobile apps. While they can render the text of an MSG file, they currently lack the capability to extract embedded files.
Can I use Dropbox to open MSG attachments on my phone?
No, similar to OneDrive and SharePoint, opening MSG file attachments directly from the Dropbox mobile app is also unsupported and yields the same limitations.
Will Microsoft fix this issue in the future?
Microsoft handles feature requests through their Feedback Portal. Users are encouraged to vote on the related feedback item to prioritize the development of MSG attachment support on mobile apps.
