MC1077860 – Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android: Custom account icons (archived)

Product:

Entra, Exchange, Microsoft 365 Apps, Outlook

Platform:

Android, iOS, mobile, Online, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, User impact

Links:

467250

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android will allow users to choose custom icons for their accounts starting from June 2025, with completion expected by mid-July 2025. This feature, available in the account settings, will help users navigate multiple accounts more easily. No admin action is required before the rollout.

Details:
Before this rollout, Microsoft Outlook for iOS/Android chooses the icon to display for an account based on the presence of other accounts.
After this rollout, Outlook for iOS/Android users will be able to choose a custom icon for accounts so they can more easily navigate between multiple accounts.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 467250.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out early June 2025 and expect to complete by mid-July 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-05-20

updated:
2025-05-20

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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linked item details

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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Navigation Confusion
Without prior preparation, users may experience confusion navigating multiple accounts due to the lack of familiar icons, leading to potential mismanagement of emails and tasks.
   - roles: End Users, Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=467250

Increased Support Requests
The introduction of custom icons without user training may lead to an increase in support requests as users struggle to adapt to the new feature, impacting IT support resources.
   - roles: Support Staff, IT Administrators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=467250

Configutation Options**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Outlook for iOS and Android is introducing a new feature that allows users to choose custom icons for their email accounts. This change is expected to make it easier for users to manage and navigate between multiple accounts on their mobile devices. Think of it like having different colored luggage tags for each of your suitcases when traveling. Just as these tags help you quickly identify your bags among many, custom icons will help you distinguish between your different email accounts at a glance.

Previously, Outlook would automatically assign icons based on the presence of other accounts, which could sometimes lead to confusion if you had several accounts linked to the app. With the new feature, you can select an icon that makes sense to you, whether it's your profile photo, initials, or even a custom icon with a chosen background color. This personalization is akin to choosing a unique wallpaper for each room in your house, allowing you to instantly recognize which room (or in this case, which account) you're in.

This feature will be available in the account settings of the Outlook app, and it will roll out automatically between June and mid-July 2025. There's no need for any administrative setup or changes beforehand. However, it might be a good idea to inform your team or update any internal guides to reflect this new option. It's important to note that these custom icons will only be visible within the Outlook app on iOS and Android devices and won't sync across other platforms or be visible to email recipients.

Overall, this update is designed to enhance user experience by making account management more intuitive and visually distinct, much like how a personalized touch can make navigating different aspects of life a bit simpler.