How to sync Outlook contacts to Android, and why they stop syncing

Android gets contacts from Microsoft 365 in one of two ways: through the Outlook app or through a Microsoft 365 account in the mail app that came with the phone. Either way, only the user’s own contacts come across, not colleagues from the directory.

1. Check how the phone is set up

Find out whether the user reads mail in the Outlook app or in the built-in mail app (on many Samsung phones that is Samsung Email). The steps differ.

2. Turn on contact sync in the Outlook app

In the Outlook app: open Settings, tap the account and turn on Sync contacts. Allow the app to access contacts when Android asks. The user’s Outlook contacts then appear in the phone’s contact list.

3. Or use the phone’s own mail app

Add the work account as a Microsoft 365 or Exchange account in the phone’s settings and make sure Contacts is ticked under the account’s sync settings.

4. Why contacts stop syncing

• Contact sync is turned off in the Outlook app after an update or a new phone.
• Battery saving or “sleeping apps” stops background sync for the Outlook app.
• The contacts permission was denied when Android asked.
• The contacts are in a subfolder in Outlook. Phones only show the main Contacts folder.