Outlook groups app is retiring

We're pleased to announce that we're focusing our efforts on expanding Groups functionality in the Outlook mobile app.

Because of this new focus, we've decided to retire the standalone Outlook Groups app later this year. You can keep using it until May 1, 2018, but you can already find and collaborate with all your groups inside the Outlook mobile app. See Use groups in the Outlook mobile app to get started.

All of your existing group memberships and functionality will continue to work in Outlook on the web, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2016 for Mac, and any other Office application.

Groups is an important part of making teamwork effortless inside Outlook and Office. These changes are part of both our continued efforts to refine Microsoft 365 as the universal toolkit for teamwork and the investments we're making in Microsoft Teams and Yammer.

Frequently asked questions

What's the timeline for retirement of the Outlook Groups mobile app?

On March 26, 2018, the app will be removed from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Microsoft Store. Users won't be able to download the Outlook Groups app anymore. On May 1, 2018, the app will stop working. Anyone who attempts to open it will be greeted with a message directing them to download the Outlook mobile app.

Between February and May, users of the app will receive in-app notifications encouraging them to use the Outlook for iOS and Android to participate in group conversation and access group resources.

What do I need to do to prepare for this change?

Microsoft 365 customers who have active users of the Outlook Groups mobile app in their organizations will be notified via an Microsoft 365 Message Center post on February 8, 2018. If you don't receive this notice, you don't need to take any action.

If you receive the Message Center notification, encourage users to start using the Outlook app on iOS or Android to manage their groups and participate in group email conversations on the go. They don't have to do anything to set up Groups. Once they install the Outlook mobile app and add their Microsoft 365 email account, their groups will be visible in the folder list.

Users of the Outlook Groups mobile app will receive in-app notifications directly between February and May, advising them of the need to switch. If you have internal documentation referencing the Outlook Groups app, you should also update it to reference the Outlook mobile app instead.

What Outlook Groups features are available in the Outlook mobile app?

The Outlook mobile app enables you to:

• Create, delete, and edit a group

• Search, leave, and join a group

• See a list of your joined groups and add new members (including guests) to them

• Send email to a group and view emails sent to a group

Soon you'll be able to:

• View files stored in the group's document library

• Favorite your important groups, alongside your favorite people and folders

See the Office Roadmap for full details on upcoming groups-related features and timing.