You need to edit a document with a colleague while you are away from your desk. The mobile Word app for iOS and Android includes full co-authoring support, so you can see changes from others in real time. This article explains the requirements, the step-by-step process to start a co-authoring session from your phone, and the limitations you should know before you begin.
Key Takeaways: Co-Authoring in the Mobile Word App
- Save document to OneDrive or SharePoint: Co-authoring only works when the file is stored in the cloud, not locally on the device.
- Tap the Share icon on the top-right toolbar: This opens the invite menu where you enter email addresses or copy a share link.
- Set permission to Can Edit: Recipients must have Edit access, not View only, to co-author in real time.
- Tap the co-author presence badge at the bottom: This shows who else is in the document and where they are editing.
What Co-Authoring in the Mobile Word App Does and What You Need
Co-authoring lets multiple people edit the same Word document at the same time. Each person sees changes from others within seconds. The feature works on iOS and Android devices running the Word app version 16.0 or later.
Before you co-author from a mobile device, confirm these prerequisites:
- The document must be saved to OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online. Local files or files stored on third-party services like Dropbox or Google Drive do not support co-authoring.
- All participants must have a Microsoft 365 subscription or a free Microsoft account. Co-authoring is included in the free mobile app, but some advanced features require a subscription.
- Each person must have a stable internet connection. The mobile app syncs changes over Wi-Fi or cellular data.
The mobile Word app uses the same co-authoring engine as the desktop version. When you open a cloud-saved document, the app automatically enables real-time collaboration. You do not need to turn on a separate setting.
Steps to Co-Author a Document From the Mobile Word App
- Open the document from OneDrive or SharePoint
Launch the Word app on your phone. Tap Open and select the document from your OneDrive or SharePoint account. Do not open a local file — co-authoring will not work. - Tap the Share icon on the top-right toolbar
The Share icon looks like a silhouette of a person with a plus sign. Tap it to open the sharing menu. - Set the permission level to Can Edit
In the sharing menu, tap the permission dropdown. Select Can Edit. If you leave Can View, recipients can only read the document and cannot make changes. - Enter the email addresses of your co-authors
Type the email addresses of the people you want to invite. You can also tap the copy link button to generate a shareable link and send it through another app like email or messaging. - Tap Send or Copy Link
After entering the recipients, tap Send. If you used the copy link option, paste the link into your preferred communication app and send it to your co-authors. - Wait for co-authors to open the document
When a co-author opens the document, you will see a colored badge with their initials at the bottom of the screen. The badge shows how many people are currently editing. - Edit the document normally
Type, delete, or format text as you usually would. Changes appear for others in near real time. You will see colored cursors and selections from other editors. - Tap the presence badge to see who is editing
Tap the badge at the bottom of the screen to see a list of active co-authors. Tap a name to jump to the section they are working on.
Using the Share Link Method
- Tap Share and then Copy Link
In the sharing menu, tap Copy Link instead of entering email addresses. - Adjust link settings if needed
You can change whether the link allows editing or viewing only. Tap the link settings gear icon to set expiration dates or restrict access to specific people. - Paste the link into a message
Open your messaging app, email, or team chat and paste the link. Recipients tap the link to open the document in the Word app or in a browser.
Common Issues When Co-Authoring on Mobile and How to Handle Them
Co-Authoring Option Is Grayed Out or Missing
This usually happens when the document is not saved to OneDrive or SharePoint. Close the document, tap Save a Copy, and choose a cloud location. You cannot co-author a file stored on the device itself.
Changes From Others Do Not Appear
The mobile app syncs changes every few seconds. If you do not see updates, check your internet connection. Turn off Airplane Mode or connect to a stronger Wi-Fi network. Also, ensure all co-authors have the document open with Edit permission — View-only users do not trigger sync.
My Edits Are Not Saved
The mobile app auto-saves changes to the cloud every few seconds. If you see a warning that changes could not be saved, close other apps to free memory or restart the Word app. Do not switch to another app while the save icon is spinning.
I Cannot See Other People’s Cursors
Colored cursors appear only when co-authors are actively editing in the same section of the document. If they are working on a different page or paragraph, their cursor may not be visible. Tap the presence badge and select their name to jump to their location.
Mobile Word App Co-Authoring vs Desktop Word Co-Authoring
| Item | Mobile Word App | Desktop Word |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time cursor visibility | Shows colored cursors for active editors | Shows colored cursors with name labels |
| Track Changes during co-author | Track Changes is off by default; must be turned on manually | Track Changes works during co-authoring |
| Comments and replies | Full support for adding and replying to comments | Full support for adding and replying to comments |
| Version history access | Tap the document name then tap Version History | File > Info > Version History |
| Offline editing | Not supported; requires internet connection | Supports offline editing with later sync |
| Share link with expiration | Available in link settings gear icon | Available via File > Share > Link settings |
The mobile app lacks some desktop features like the ability to merge changes from multiple copies or to lock specific sections. For complex co-authoring workflows, consider using the desktop version.
You can now invite co-authors directly from the mobile Word app and edit documents together in real time. Start by saving your file to OneDrive or SharePoint, then use the Share icon to grant Edit access. For a smoother experience, keep the app updated and use a stable internet connection. If you frequently co-author on the go, turn on Auto-Save in the app settings to ensure every change is captured immediately.