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How to Open a Microsoft Sway Newsletter Directly from the App Launcher

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 20, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to configure the Microsoft 365 app launcher to open a specific Microsoft Sway newsletter directly instead of the default Sway homepage.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a frequently used newsletter hosted on Microsoft Sway quickly from the main Microsoft 365 portal.
Observed behavior: The default Microsoft Sway tile in the app launcher only navigates to the Sway homepage and cannot be modified to link directly to a specific newsletter.

Before you start

Ensure you have the exact URL of the Microsoft Sway newsletter you want to link to, and verify that you have Microsoft 365 Administrator privileges to add custom tiles.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Custom App Launcher Tile in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Since the default Sway tile cannot be modified, administrators can add a custom tile that links directly to the specific newsletter URL.

The built-in Microsoft 365 Sway tile is hardcoded to open the Sway homepage. To bypass this and direct users straight to a newsletter, an administrator must create a new custom tile using the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to Custom Tiles

Go to 'Settings' in the left menu, select 'Org settings', click on the 'Organization profile' tab, and then choose 'Custom app launcher tiles'.

Add a New Tile

Click on 'Add a custom tile'. Enter a recognizable name for the tile, such as 'Company Newsletter'.

Configure the URL

Input the direct URL of your Microsoft Sway newsletter in the URL field, specify an image URL for the tile icon, and click 'Save'.

Create a Custom App Launcher Tile in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Propagation Time: It may take up to 24 hours for the new custom tile to propagate and appear in the app launcher for all users in the organization.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can non-administrators add custom tiles to the Microsoft 365 app launcher?

No, adding custom tiles that appear in the Microsoft 365 app launcher for the organization requires administrator privileges. Standard users can only pin or unpin existing apps.

Why isn't my new custom Sway tile showing up immediately?

Custom tiles added in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center can take up to 24 hours to propagate and appear in the app launcher for all users across the tenant.

Can I edit the default Sway app tile to open my newsletter?

No, the default Microsoft Sway tile is a built-in application shortcut that routes to the Sway homepage. It is hardcoded by Microsoft and cannot be modified to point to a custom URL.

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