Microsoft 365 Help Share with an external client on a mobile device
Send a file or folder link with carefully chosen access.
Before you start
- External sharing is allowed for this work location.
- You have checked the client’s email address and the content to share.
Follow these steps
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Find the correct item
Open your work OneDrive and find the file or client folder. Open the folder first if necessary to check what it contains.
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Choose Share
Tap … next to the item > Share. Choose sharing the original, rather than Send a copy, when you want permission-controlled access.
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Open link settings
Tap the access description, dropdown or gear in the sharing screen. Set the audience to Specific people.
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Set view access first
Choose Can view, or turn off Allow editing. Use edit only if the client must make changes. Tap Apply if displayed.
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Enter the external address
Type the client’s full email address. Check the spelling and selected recipient. If the app refuses the address, external sharing may be restricted.
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Send the invitation
Add a brief explanation and tap Send. Tell the client which document you have shared and what you need them to do.
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Help the client open it
They must use the invited email identity. Microsoft may request sign-in, invitation acceptance or an email verification code. The company’s guest settings decide the exact screen.
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Review and remove access
For the clearest permissions view, use OneDrive in a computer browser. Select the item > Manage access, then review the relevant people and links and remove the grant when it is no longer needed.
You have finished when…
- The client can open the item from the invited account with the chosen permission.
Helpful tips
- View permission may allow downloading. Block download is an extra option only when supported and allowed.
- Deleting one link may leave a person’s separate direct, group or inherited access in place. Review all access.
- If only a few documents are needed, sharing a separate client folder is easier to check than sharing a large project folder.
Something looks different?
Specific people or external sharing is unavailable.
Ask the office to check the sharing policy. Do not bypass a restriction by uploading business files to a personal account.
The recipient cannot find the code or invitation.
Check the invited address and ask them to check junk mail. If no code route is offered, follow the sign-in screen rather than expecting a code.
Microsoft help & further guidance
Menu names can change as Microsoft updates the apps. These official pages include further instructions.