If you manage tasks in Outlook but want to see them in Microsoft To Do on your phone, tablet, or another computer, you need to enable the sync between the two apps. Outlook Tasks and Microsoft To Do share the same underlying Exchange task folder, but the sync is not automatic unless you turn on the correct setting. This article explains how to connect your Outlook tasks to Microsoft To Do so they appear on every device you use.
Key Takeaways: Syncing Outlook Tasks with Microsoft To Do
- Connected experiences setting in Office: Turn on connected experiences in File > Options > General to enable task sync between Outlook and Microsoft To Do.
- Microsoft To Do app on all platforms: Install the Microsoft To Do app on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android to access synced tasks.
- Task flag behavior in Outlook: Flagging an email in Outlook creates a task that automatically appears in the Flagged Email list in Microsoft To Do.
How Outlook Tasks and Microsoft To Do Sync
Outlook Tasks and Microsoft To Do are built on the same Exchange task storage. When you create a task in Outlook, it saves to your Exchange mailbox task folder. Microsoft To Do reads from the same folder. The sync is not a two-way push in real time. Instead, both apps rely on Exchange ActiveSync or the Microsoft 365 sync engine to keep the task folder updated.
The sync works only if you use a Microsoft 365, Exchange, or Outlook.com account. Personal POP or IMAP accounts do not support task sync with Microsoft To Do. You must also have the connected experiences feature enabled in Office. This feature allows Outlook to communicate with Microsoft To Do and other Microsoft cloud services.
Steps to Enable Task Sync Between Outlook and Microsoft To Do
- Open Outlook and go to File > Options
In Outlook, click File in the top-left corner, then click Options at the bottom of the left pane. The Outlook Options dialog box opens. - Select General and then turn on connected experiences
In the Outlook Options dialog, click General. Under the User Settings section, check the box labeled “Turn on optional connected experiences.” This setting allows Outlook to sync task data with Microsoft To Do. Click OK to save. - Restart Outlook
Close and reopen Outlook to apply the change. After restarting, Outlook connects to the Microsoft cloud and begins syncing your task folder. - Install and sign in to Microsoft To Do on all devices
Download Microsoft To Do from the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. Open the app and sign in with the same Microsoft 365, Exchange, or Outlook.com account you use in Outlook. - Verify the sync
In Microsoft To Do, check the Tasks list. It should show all tasks you created in Outlook. Create a new task in Microsoft To Do and then check Outlook. The task appears in the Tasks folder in Outlook within a few seconds.
If Tasks Are Not Syncing Between Outlook and Microsoft To Do
Tasks created in Outlook do not appear in Microsoft To Do
This usually happens because connected experiences are turned off. Follow the steps in the section above to enable connected experiences. If the setting was already on, sign out of Microsoft To Do and sign back in. Go to Microsoft To Do > Settings > Accounts and select your account. Tap Sign Out, then sign in again. This forces the app to refresh the task folder.
Tasks created in Microsoft To Do do not appear in Outlook
In Microsoft To Do, tasks are organized into lists. Only the Tasks list syncs with Outlook. If you created a task in a custom list such as Groceries or Work, it stays in Microsoft To Do only. Move the task to the Tasks list by opening the task, clicking the list name at the top, and selecting Tasks. The task then appears in Outlook within a few seconds.
Flagged email tasks are missing in Microsoft To Do
When you flag an email in Outlook, it creates a task in the Tasks folder. This task appears in the Flagged Email list in Microsoft To Do. If flagged emails do not appear, make sure you are looking at the correct list. Open Microsoft To Do and click the Flagged Email list on the left sidebar. If the list is empty, re-flag the email in Outlook. The task syncs within a minute.
Sync delay is longer than 5 minutes
The sync between Outlook and Microsoft To Do uses Exchange ActiveSync, which typically updates within 30 seconds. If you see a delay longer than 5 minutes, close and reopen both apps. If the problem continues, check your internet connection. A weak or intermittent connection can delay the sync. You can also force a sync in Outlook by pressing F9 to send and receive all folders.
Outlook Tasks vs Microsoft To Do: Key Differences
| Item | Outlook Tasks | Microsoft To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Platform availability | Windows, Mac, web, and mobile (limited) | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web |
| Task list organization | Single Tasks folder with categories | Multiple custom lists plus Tasks and Flagged Email lists |
| Reminder system | Uses Outlook calendar reminders | Uses app notifications and email reminders |
| Sharing and collaboration | Share task folder with other Outlook users | Share lists with anyone via email link |
| Integration with Planner | Not available | Assigned tasks from Planner appear in My Day |
Both apps allow you to set due dates, priority levels, and notes. The main difference is how you organize tasks. Outlook uses a single flat list with categories. Microsoft To Do uses multiple lists, which gives you more flexibility. You can use both apps interchangeably as long as you keep the Tasks list as your sync hub.
To get the most out of the sync, set Microsoft To Do as your default task management app on your phone. On Windows, pin Microsoft To Do to the taskbar for quick access. On Mac, add it to your Dock. Use the My Day feature in Microsoft To Do to focus on tasks you plan to complete today. Tasks you add to My Day do not change the due date in Outlook, but they help you prioritize your daily work.