Microsoft 365 Help Search email on mobile devices
Find work email and attachments using the phone’s search and filters.
Before you start
- A clue such as the sender, subject, job number or filename.
Follow these steps
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Choose your work account
Tap your profile picture or initials and choose the work account. This reduces confusion with personal mail.
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Open Search
Tap the Search or magnifying-glass icon. Depending on the layout, it is on the top bar or bottom navigation.
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Type a useful clue
Tap the search box and enter a sender, job number or distinctive word from the email. Tap the keyboard’s Search button to see results rather than only suggestions.
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Check account and folder filters
If the search screen offers account or folder filters, ensure they include the mailbox and folder you need. Remove an old filter if results seem incomplete.
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Find an attachment
Look for the Attachments filter or paperclip after searching and enable it. For a recent file, also look in the Files area on the Search screen if it appears.
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Open the correct result
Tap the email, check its sender and date, then open the attachment. If the message is a conversation, expand earlier messages to check their separate attachments.
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Return to normal mail
Clear the search with its X or back control, then select Mail or Inbox. Filters such as Unread, Flagged or Attachments can also be cleared using their X.
You have finished when…
- The correct message or file opens and you can return to Inbox.
Helpful tips
- Try one distinctive word first. Add more only when you get too many results.
- If the phone cannot find an older message, try Outlook on the web using the same account and search all folders.
- A OneDrive link may not appear as a traditional attachment. Search by sender or subject as well as the paperclip filter.
Something looks different?
Too many results
Add the sender, one distinctive word or a short date range. Clear old filters before trying a completely different search.
No results appear
Check the selected account and search scope. Try fewer words, check spelling and search all folders. A new desktop installation may still be downloading or indexing mail.
An attachment is missing
Some emails contain a OneDrive or SharePoint link rather than a file attachment. Search for the sender or subject as well as using the attachment filter.
Microsoft help & further guidance
Menu names can change as Microsoft updates the apps. These official pages include further instructions.