Questions
- How do I stop emails from going to the Other tab in Outlook?
- Can I turn off Focused Inbox so there is no Focused and Other tab at all?
- How do I make sure messages from a person or mailing list always land in Focused?
- Why are messages I care about landing in the Other tab?
- What is the difference between Other and Junk, and how do I check both?
- How do I turn off Focused Inbox on my phone?
Environment
This article applies to anyone using a Microsoft 365 mailbox in Outlook on Windows (classic and new), macOS, Outlook on the web at outlook.office.com, and Outlook for iOS or Android.
- If two tabs labeled Focused and Other appear at the top of the Inbox, Focused Inbox is on.
- If those tabs do not appear, Focused Inbox is off for that mailbox or is not supported in that app.
Resolution
Focused Inbox sorts incoming mail into a Focused tab and an Other tab. To keep messages out of the Other tab, either turn Focused Inbox off completely or train it to route specific messages to Focused. To confirm which version of Outlook you are using, see What version of Outlook do I have.
- Decide whether to turn off Focused Inbox completely (removes the Other tab) or keep it and train it.
- For a single Inbox with no Other tab, turn Focused Inbox off (step 2).
- To keep Focused Inbox but stop certain messages from landing in Other, train Outlook to always put them in Focused (step 3).
- Turn off Focused Inbox (removes the Other tab):
- Windows, classic Outlook: Open Outlook. Select the View tab, then select Show Focused Inbox to toggle it off.
- Windows, new Outlook: Select the Settings (gear) icon, choose Mail > Layout, then turn off Focused Inbox.
- macOS (new Outlook): Select the Organize tab, then toggle Focused Inbox off.
- Outlook on the web: Select the Settings (gear) icon, search for "Focused Inbox," then turn it off under Mail > Layout.
- iOS or Android: Tap your profile picture or the Home icon > Settings (gear), then turn off Focused Inbox.
- Keep Focused Inbox but train it to stop putting certain emails in Other:
- Windows, classic Outlook: In the Other tab, right-click a message that should be in Focused. Choose Move to Focused > Always move to Focused.
- Windows, new Outlook: Right-click the message in Other. Choose Move > Always move to Focused.
- macOS (new Outlook): Right-click or Control-click the message in Other. Choose Move to Focused > Always move to Focused.
- Outlook on the web: Right-click the message in Other. Select Move to Focused, then choose Always move to Focused.
- iOS or Android: Open the message in Other, tap the three dots (More), choose Move to Focused, then select Always move.
- Confirm messages are not going to Junk instead of Other:
- Check the Junk Email folder. If a good message is there, mark it as Not Junk to help Outlook learn.
- Avoid using Block on legitimate senders. Instead, train Focused and Other using the steps above.
- Review any rules that might be moving messages:
- Outlook on the web: Go to Settings > Mail > Rules. Disable or edit rules that move or file messages unexpectedly.
- Desktop Outlook: Check rules under the Home tab > Rules, and turn off or adjust any that auto-move messages.
Tip: If a message is in Focused but similar messages should not be, use Move to Other > Always move to Other on that message.
Note: Focused Inbox separates mail within the Inbox only; it does not affect messages that rules move to other folders. Some shared or delegated mailboxes may not support Focused Inbox in all Outlook apps.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources