If you use Outlook on a mobile device, you may see a banner at the top of your mailbox that reads ‘Suggest account to add.’ This banner prompts you to link another email account, such as a Gmail or Yahoo account, to Outlook. The feature is designed to help users consolidate multiple inboxes, but it can be distracting for those who manage only one account or prefer not to see suggestions.
This article explains how to turn off the banner on both iOS and Android versions of Outlook Mobile. The fix involves adjusting a setting in the app’s account preferences. No external tools or administrator access are required.
Key Takeaways: Disabling the ‘Suggest Account to Add’ Banner in Outlook Mobile
- Settings > Accounts > [Your Account] > Suggest Accounts to Add: Toggle this option off to hide the banner on iOS and Android.
- Banner reappears after app updates: The setting may reset after a major Outlook update, requiring you to toggle it off again.
- Only affects the primary account: The banner is tied to the first account you set up in Outlook Mobile, not secondary accounts.
Why the ‘Suggest Account to Add’ Banner Appears
Outlook Mobile includes a feature that automatically detects other email accounts on your device. When the app finds a Gmail, Yahoo, or other IMAP account in your phone’s system settings, it shows a banner suggesting you add that account to Outlook. This is part of Microsoft’s effort to make Outlook a unified inbox for all your email services.
The banner uses the device’s account list — the same list you see in iOS Settings > Mail > Accounts or Android Settings > Accounts. Outlook does not read your email content; it only checks for account configurations. If you have no other accounts configured on the phone, the banner does not appear.
The toggle to disable the banner is stored per account in Outlook’s internal settings. It is not a global switch for all accounts. You must disable it for each Outlook account that shows the banner.
Steps to Disable the Banner on iOS
- Open Outlook on your iPhone or iPad
Tap the Outlook app icon to launch it. Wait for your mailbox to load completely. - Tap your profile picture or initials
This icon is in the top-left corner of the screen. It opens the Settings menu. - Tap the gear icon
The gear icon is in the bottom-left corner of the Settings panel. It opens the main Settings screen. - Tap Accounts
This option is near the top of the Settings list. It shows all email accounts configured in Outlook. - Tap the account that shows the banner
Select the primary account — usually the one listed first. This opens the account details screen. - Scroll to the bottom of the account settings
Look for the section labeled ‘Suggest Accounts to Add.’ It appears below the signature and automatic reply settings. - Toggle the switch to Off
The switch is green when enabled. Tap it to turn it gray. The banner will disappear immediately. - Close Settings and return to your inbox
Tap the back arrow or swipe down to dismiss the Settings screen. Confirm the banner is no longer visible at the top of your mailbox.
Steps to Disable the Banner on Android
- Open Outlook on your Android phone or tablet
Tap the Outlook app icon. Wait for your mailbox to finish loading. - Tap your profile picture or initials
This icon is in the top-left corner. It opens the Settings menu. - Tap the gear icon
The gear icon is in the bottom-left corner of the Settings panel. - Tap Accounts
This option is near the top of the Settings list. - Tap the account that shows the banner
Select the primary account. This opens the account details screen. - Scroll down to ‘Suggest Accounts to Add’
This option is near the bottom of the account settings, below the sync settings. - Toggle the switch to Off
The switch is blue when enabled. Tap it to turn it gray. The banner disappears immediately. - Return to your inbox
Tap the back arrow twice to return to your mailbox. Verify the banner is gone.
If the Banner Returns After an Update or Reinstall
Banner reappears after an Outlook update
Major updates to the Outlook Mobile app can reset some per-account settings, including the ‘Suggest Accounts to Add’ toggle. After updating the app, check the setting again and toggle it off if needed. This is not a bug; it is how the app handles settings migration during a version upgrade.
Banner reappears after reinstalling Outlook
If you uninstall and reinstall Outlook Mobile, all local settings are erased. You must reconfigure your accounts and turn off the banner again. To avoid this, back up your Outlook settings using the app’s built-in backup feature (Settings > Backup & Restore) before reinstalling.
Banner still shows after toggling off
Rarely, a cached version of the banner may persist for a few minutes. Force-close the Outlook app and reopen it. On iOS, swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Outlook card away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Outlook > Force Stop. Then relaunch Outlook.
| Item | iOS Steps | Android Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Access Settings | Profile icon > gear icon | Profile icon > gear icon |
| Account list location | Settings > Accounts | Settings > Accounts |
| Toggle name | Suggest Accounts to Add | Suggest Accounts to Add |
| Toggle position | Bottom of account settings | Bottom of account settings |
| Banner removal | Immediate after toggle off | Immediate after toggle off |
You can now disable the ‘Suggest Account to Add’ banner in Outlook Mobile on both iOS and Android. The setting is located in the account details screen under the same name on both platforms. If the banner returns after an app update, revisit the toggle and turn it off again. For persistent issues, force-closing the app clears any cached banner state.