Outlook for Android to Require Android 9.0 or Above Starting July 10, 2023

Kris WilkinsonMay 8, 2023

Cyber-Security Advisories Cyber-Security News/Blog Technical Pro-tips and How-to

Microsoft Outlook is a powerful tool for managing e-mail, calendars, tasks, and contacts. Businesses and organizations of all sizes heavily use it. Most of our partners use Outlook on their PCs and mobile devices with Microsoft and Office 365 e-mail services.

Microsoft recently announced Outlook for Android will require Android 9.0 or above starting July 10, 2023. This means any Android device running an operating system older than Android 9.0, will no longer be able to use Outlook for Android after July 10, 2023.

Check your Android version with the following instructions:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Near the bottom, tap About phone > Android version.
  3. Find your “Android version,” “Android security update,” and “Build number.”

This decision was made to ensure Outlook for Android remains secure and up-to-date with the latest security features and protocols. Android 9.0 and above offer advanced security features that help protect against malware, phishing attacks, and other security threats.

Outlook for Android will use a newer version of Microsoft’s ActiveSync protocol that requires Android 9.0 or above. This protocol synchronizes e-mail, calendar, and contact data between Outlook and the Android device. The new version of ActiveSync includes several security enhancements that are not present in older versions.

Impacted Devices

If you are using an Android device running an operating system older than Android 9.0, you may be impacted by the change to Outlook for Android. Here is a list of some of the devices that this change may impact:

  • Samsung Galaxy S5 and older models
  • LG G4 and older models
  • Motorola Moto G4 and older models
  • Google Nexus 5X and older models
  • HTC One M9 and older models
  • Sony Xperia Z5 and older models

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other devices may also be impacted. Android tablets appear to be affected the most by this change. If you are unsure whether your device is impacted, you can check the version of Android that your device is running by going to Settings > About Phone > Software Information.

If your device is running an operating system older than Android 9.0, you need to upgrade to a newer device or operating system to continue using Outlook for Android after July 10, 2023. Upgrading your device will also provide access to the latest security features and protocols, helping to keep your data secure. Please ensure you backup your device before applying updates.

Should I Keep Using Outlook?

We highly recommend using Outlook as your e-mail client:

  • Integration with Office 365: Outlook is designed to work seamlessly with Office 365. This means you can access all of your Office 365 apps from within Outlook, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You can also easily share files and collaborate with others using SharePoint and OneDrive.
  • Advanced features: Outlook has many advanced features that are not available in other e-mail clients. For example, it includes advanced e-mail rules and filters, the ability to schedule e-mails to be sent later, and the ability to easily manage multiple e-mail accounts.
  • Security: Outlook includes advanced security features that help protect your e-mail from spam, phishing, and other security threats. It also includes built-in encryption and support for multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to your e-mail account.
  • Support: As a Microsoft product, Outlook is fully supported by Microsoft. This means that if you encounter any issues with Outlook, you can contact Microsoft support for assistance. In addition, Outlook is updated regularly with bug fixes and new features.

We recommend using Outlook exclusively for the best possible experience. By using Outlook, you can take advantage of all the advanced features, security, and support that Office 365 has to offer.

I’m Impacted What Should I do?

You need to purchase a new device if your phone does not support newer Android operating systems. Contact your mobile partner (e.g. Telus, Bell, Rogers) and inquire about your options.

SIRKit can assist you with setting up Microsoft 365 services on your new device once you have it.

Please reach out to our helpdesk team if you need assistance.