Fix Office Apps Stuck on Checking App Status on iPhone or iPad
Question details
The user is unable to complete the sign-in process for Microsoft Office apps and OneNote on iOS devices because the apps are indefinitely stuck on a status checking screen.
- Product
- Microsoft Office, OneNote
- Device & OS
- iPhone, iPad
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to mobile productivity apps on a device managed by an organization's Microsoft Intune policies.
- Observed behavior
- Office and OneNote continuously display 'Checking app status' during sign-in. Reinstalling the affected apps and the Microsoft Authenticator app fails to bypass this screen.
Verify that your iPhone or iPad has a stable internet connection and confirm whether your device is actively managed by your employer's or school's IT department.
Contact Your IT Administrator to Review Intune Policies
Because the block is enforced on the server side by Microsoft Intune, end-users cannot bypass it by reinstalling apps. IT intervention is required to adjust compliance or access policies.
When an iOS device is managed by an organization, Microsoft Office apps must verify mobile application management (MAM) and conditional access policies before allowing access.
If the device fails a compliance check or a policy is misconfigured, the app will remain stuck on the 'Checking app status' screen. Your organization's IT department has the administrative tools required to review the backend logs and lift the restriction.
Take note of your device model, current iOS version, and the exact time you attempted to sign in to the Office apps.
Contact your organization's IT helpdesk and inform them that Microsoft Office and OneNote are stuck on the 'Checking app status' screen during sign-in.
Ask the administrator to review the Intune app protection, device compliance, and conditional access policies applied to your user account.
Suggest that the administrator inspect the Microsoft Authenticator sign-in logs in the Intune portal to pinpoint exactly where the authentication process is failing.
Try WPS Office for Uninterrupted Mobile Productivity
If organizational Intune policies are temporarily blocking your access to Microsoft apps, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative. It allows you to view, edit, and create documents locally on your iPhone or iPad without encountering complex enterprise authentication barriers.
- 1. Download the app: Search for WPS Office in the Apple App Store and download the application to your iPhone or iPad.
- 2. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and import or directly open your existing DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX files from your device storage.
- 3. Edit and save: Make your necessary edits using the familiar interface and save the files locally or to your preferred personal cloud storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Office apps get stuck on 'Checking app status'?
This occurs when your organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage mobile devices. The app attempts to verify mobile application management (MAM) policies but cannot complete the process due to a conditional access block, device compliance failure, or a server-side communication glitch.
Will reinstalling the Office apps or Authenticator fix this issue?
Generally, no. Because the restriction is tied to your enterprise account and enforced by server-side Intune policies, uninstalling and reinstalling the apps locally will not resolve the status checking loop.
What should my IT administrator look for to fix this problem?
Your administrator should check the Intune admin center for any device compliance errors, verify the app protection policies assigned to your account, and review the Microsoft Authenticator sign-in logs to identify the exact policy preventing the app from verifying its status.
