Security Policy Errors

How to Fix Microsoft App Sharing Stuck on Loading Screen on iOS

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where sharing features in Microsoft iOS applications are blocked by a network whitelist, causing the app to freeze on a loading screen.

How to Fix Microsoft App Sharing Stuck on Loading Screen on iOS

Product: Microsoft iOS Applications
Device & OS: iOS
Scenario: Attempting to share documents or data from Microsoft apps on an iOS device while connected to a restricted corporate or school network.
Observed behavior: The sharing interface remains indefinitely stuck on a loading screen and fails to generate a sharing link or attachment.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative access to your network's firewall, Mobile Device Management (MDM) dashboard, or web filtering software to modify the domain allowed list.

Solution 1Recommended

Whitelist Required Microsoft Domains

Add the necessary Microsoft cloud and authentication domains to your network's allowlist to restore sharing functionality.

Microsoft iOS applications rely on a series of cloud endpoints to generate sharing links, authenticate users, and access OneDrive or SharePoint storage. When web filtering software blocks these endpoints, the app cannot communicate with the server, resulting in an infinite loading screen.

Access your network configuration

Log in to the administrative console of your network firewall, web filter, or MDM solution using your administrator credentials.

Locate web filter settings

Navigate to the security policies, URL filtering, or domain allowlist section of your dashboard.

Add wildcard domains

Add the following wildcard entries to ensure all required subdomains are permitted: *.microsoft.com, *.office.com, *.outlook.com, *.live.com, and *.sharepoint.com.

Apply policies and test

Save your changes and push the policy update. Disconnect and reconnect your iOS device to the network, open the Microsoft app, and attempt to share a file again.

Whitelist Propagation: Depending on your network hardware, it may take a few minutes for the updated whitelist policies to propagate and take effect on connected devices.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Mobile File Sharing

If you continue experiencing network restrictions or sharing errors with Microsoft apps, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible mobile environment that lets you easily share files directly from your iOS device without relying on restricted Microsoft cloud endpoints.

1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office from the iOS App Store and open the document you wish to share.
2. Access the Share menu: Tap the 'Share' button located at the bottom toolbar of the document editing screen.
3. Select a sharing method: Choose whether to share the document as a direct file, a picture, or a link, and select your preferred messaging or email app.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including Word, Excel, and PowerPointLightweight installation ensures fast performance on iOS without draining device resourcesBuilt-in versatile sharing options via direct file transfer, messaging apps, and emailFree to use for everyday document viewing, editing, and sharing tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the sharing screen get stuck on loading in iOS?

This typically occurs when a network firewall or MDM policy blocks the background connections to Microsoft's cloud servers, preventing the app from completing the authentication required to generate a shareable link or file.

Do I need to whitelist all subdomains for Microsoft services?

Yes, using wildcard entries (like *.microsoft.com) is recommended. This ensures that all necessary dynamic authentication and file-transfer endpoints are allowed without having to manually list hundreds of specific URLs.

What if I still cannot share after updating the whitelist?

If sharing remains stuck, try forcing the app to close and clearing the device's DNS cache by briefly turning Airplane Mode on and off. You can also temporarily switch to a cellular network to verify if the issue is strictly related to the Wi-Fi network's filtering rules.

Microsoft Office Security Issues