Summary
- Outlook for iPad is getting a new compose experience that lets users open email drafts in a separate window and minimize in-progress drafts.
- The available behavior depends on each user’s iPadOS multitasking setting: Windowed Apps or Full Screen Apps.
- Users can restore minimized drafts via Hidden Windows/Show All Windows, and minimized drafts still save to the Drafts folder normally.
- No administrative configuration is required, but help desk and support teams should be briefed on the iPadOS-dependent behavior.
Microsoft is introducing a new drafting capability for Outlook on iPad starting worldwide in mid September 2026 and finishing by mid October 2026. This change lets users minimize in progress email messages to return to them later, with the exact behaviour depending on local iPadOS multitasking settings. Administrators should brief support teams on these interface variations.
Administrator impact: No direct administrator action is required.
End user impact: Users of Outlook on iPad gain the ability to minimize email drafts and return to them later based on their iPadOS multitasking configuration.
Score rationale: This is a standard feature update with minor user interface changes and no administrative controls or required actions.
Outlook for iPad will allow users to compose emails in a separate window and minimize drafts to return later, enhancing multitasking. This feature rolls out worldwide from mid-September to mid-October 2026, with behavior depending on iPadOS multitasking settings. No admin action is needed.
Microsoft 365 Message Center ID: MC1470883
Primary Service: Outlook
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Medium
Release Start: 15 Sept 2026
Release End: 15 Oct 2026
Last Modified: September 12, 2026
Category: Stay informed
Tags: New feature
Status: Launched
Products & Platforms: Exchange Online
History
9/11/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Mirosoft Message
We’re introducing a new Outlook for iPad capability that allows users to compose email in a new window and minimize an in-progress draft so they can return to it later. This improvement helps users multitask more efficiently while working in Outlook on iPad.
Rollout schedule
General Availability (Worldwide): Beginning in mid-September 2026 and expected to complete by mid-October 2026
Impact on your organization
Who is affected
Users of Outlook for iPad
Platforms and services
Outlook for iOS on iPad
What will happen
The experience depends on the user’s iPadOS multitasking configuration.
Users with Windowed Apps enabled (Settings > Multitasking & Gestures)
- Users can compose emails in a separate window.
- The iPadOS system-provided minimize control can be used to minimize an email draft.
Users with Full Screen Apps enabled (Settings > Multitasking & Gestures)
- Users can minimize their in-progress draft to the background.
- Users can restore the same draft through the Hidden Windows banner or Show All Windows.
Minimizing a draft does not change how drafts are saved in the Drafts folder.
Action required and recommendations
No administrative action is required.
We recommend informing your help desk and support teams that the experience for compose windowing and returning to in-progress drafts varies based on users’ iPadOS multitasking settings.
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.