On the Outlook mobile app, the Focused Inbox separates your email into two tabs: Focused for priority messages and Other for everything else. Sometimes you need to see all messages in one view for a single day, for example during a project deadline or while monitoring a specific email thread. By default, switching to the Other tab permanently changes your inbox layout, but Outlook provides a temporary toggle that lasts only for the current day. This article explains how to use that temporary switch so your Focused Inbox returns automatically tomorrow.
Key Takeaways: How to Temporarily Switch to the Other Tab in Outlook Mobile
- Focused Inbox toggle in Outlook Mobile settings: Turning off Focused Inbox permanently merges all email into one inbox, but you can switch to the Other tab for the day only without changing your default view.
- Other tab at the top of the inbox: Tapping the Other tab shows all non-priority messages for that session, but the app reverts to Focused on the next day automatically.
- No manual reset needed for tomorrow: Outlook Mobile resets the view to Focused Inbox after a 24-hour period, so you do not need to reconfigure anything.
How Focused Inbox Works in Outlook Mobile
Focused Inbox is a machine-learning feature that sorts incoming email into two tabs based on your interaction history. Messages from frequent contacts, flagged items, and replies you typically open appear in the Focused tab. The Other tab contains newsletters, automated notifications, and low-priority mail. On the Outlook mobile app for iOS and Android, the default view shows the Focused tab with a small Other link at the top. When you tap Other, the app permanently switches to that tab unless you change the setting back. However, Outlook Mobile includes a temporary override that lets you view the Other tab for just one day. This override does not alter the Focused Inbox setting in your account preferences. It works by toggling a daily timer that resets at midnight in your local time zone. After the timer expires, the app returns to your saved Focused Inbox preference.
Prerequisites for the Temporary Switch
You need Outlook Mobile version 4.2400 or later installed on your device. Check your app version in Settings > About. The temporary switch works with any email account that supports Focused Inbox, including Outlook.com, Exchange Online, and Microsoft 365 work or school accounts. POP and IMAP accounts do not support Focused Inbox at all. If your account uses POP or IMAP, you will not see the Focused or Other tabs in the app.
Steps to Switch to the Other Tab for the Day Only
- Open the Outlook Mobile app
Launch Outlook on your iPhone or Android device. Make sure you are signed in to the account you want to adjust. - Tap the Focused tab at the top of the inbox
If you are currently viewing the Focused tab, you will see the Focused label at the top of the message list. Tap it to open the tab menu. - Select the Other tab from the dropdown
A small dropdown arrow appears next to the Focused label. Tap it and choose Other from the list. The inbox immediately shows all non-priority messages. - Confirm the temporary switch prompt
Outlook displays a one-time prompt asking if you want to switch to the Other tab for today only. Tap Today Only to confirm. If you tap Always, the app permanently changes your default view to Other and disables Focused Inbox. - Verify the temporary indicator
After confirming, the tab label changes to Other and a small note appears below it saying “For today.” This confirms the switch is temporary and will reset at midnight.
If You Do Not See the Prompt
Some users report that the “Today Only” prompt does not appear. This happens when Focused Inbox is already turned off in your account settings. To verify, go to Settings > Mail > Focused Inbox and ensure the toggle is on. If it is off, turn it on, then repeat the steps above. The prompt will appear the first time you switch to Other after re-enabling Focused Inbox.
What Happens After the Temporary Switch Expires
At midnight in your device’s local time zone, Outlook Mobile automatically reverts your inbox view to the Focused tab. The Focused Inbox setting in your account remains unchanged. You do not need to perform any action to restore the default. If you want to switch to Other again the next day, repeat the steps above. The timer resets each day, so you can use the temporary switch as often as needed without permanently altering your inbox layout.
Checking the Current View Status
You can confirm whether you are in a temporary view by looking at the tab label at the top of the inbox. If the label says “Other” and you see “For today” in small text below it, the temporary switch is active. If the label says “Focused” or “Other” without the date note, the view is permanent. You can also check in Settings > Mail > Focused Inbox. If the toggle is on, your default view is Focused. If the toggle is off, your default view is Other and any switch is permanent.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Accidentally Tapping Always Instead of Today Only
The prompt has two buttons: Today Only and Always. Tapping Always disables Focused Inbox permanently for that account. To restore Focused Inbox, go to Settings > Mail > Focused Inbox and turn the toggle back on. After re-enabling, the Focused tab becomes your default view again.
The Temporary Switch Does Not Apply to All Accounts
If you have multiple accounts in Outlook Mobile, the temporary switch applies only to the account you are currently viewing. Each account maintains its own Focused Inbox setting and its own daily timer. You must switch to each account separately if you want the temporary view for all of them.
No Temporary Switch for Focused Tab
The temporary switch only works from Focused to Other. If your default view is already Other, you cannot temporarily switch to Focused for the day. To see the Focused tab, you must turn on Focused Inbox in Settings > Mail > Focused Inbox. After enabling it, the Focused tab becomes your default view, and you can then use the temporary switch to Other.
Focused Inbox vs Other Tab: Temporary vs Permanent View
| Item | Temporary Switch (Today Only) | Permanent Switch (Always) |
|---|---|---|
| Effect on Focused Inbox setting | No change – setting remains on | Disables Focused Inbox – setting turns off |
| Duration of view change | Until midnight local time | Until you manually re-enable Focused Inbox |
| How to restore default view | No action needed – resets automatically | Go to Settings > Mail > Focused Inbox and turn toggle on |
| Prompt shown to user | Today Only button | Always button |
You can now use the temporary switch to view the Other tab in Outlook Mobile for a single day without changing your permanent inbox layout. If you need to monitor all messages during a busy day, tap the Other tab and choose Today Only. For advanced control, set a recurring calendar reminder to switch to Other tab on specific days, but remember that the timer resets at midnight regardless of your reminder.