I need to set an out of office reply on my Outlook app before leaving for vacation. I’ve tried looking around in the app but can’t seem to find the option. Can someone guide me through the steps or let me know where to find it?
Been there, done that! Setting an out-of-office reply on the Outlook app can be a bit unintuitive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you sorted before your vacation starts:
- Open the Outlook app on your smartphone.
- Tap on the ‘Home’ icon at the top-left corner.
- Scroll down and tap on the ‘Settings’ icon; it looks like a gear.
- Find your email account under ‘Mail Accounts’ and tap on it.
- Look for ‘Automatic Replies’ or sometimes ‘Out of Office.’
- Toggle the switch to turn on automatic replies.
- Set the time frame for when you will be out of the office. You can choose specific start and end times.
- Enter your custom message. Remember, keep it crisp and informative.
- Don’t forget to hit ‘Save’ or ‘Done’!
If you don’t see the settings, make sure your app is up-to-date. Sometimes, features get hidden in updates, and keeping it current might reveal what’s missing.
Happy vacation! 
Great rundown by @himmelsjager, but I’d like to add a few more nuances to keep things running smoothly.
- After you tap on ‘Home,’ it’s easier sometimes to swipe from the menu than tapping ‘Settings’; it depends on your version.
- Under ‘Settings,’ instead of scrolling aimlessly, use the search bar on top to type ‘Replies’ — it saves time and leads straight to ‘Automatic Replies.’
- When entering your custom message, I recommend being concise but also including alternative contacts for emergencies. This not just keeps your communication efficient but also helps your workmates in a pinch.
However, one small twist: in some cases, the feature might be under ‘Account Info’ rather than directly in ‘Mail Accounts.’ This could be the case for some enterprise versions of Outlook.
Remember, the product title ’ can make this steplining process smooth and enhances how Outlook integrates across your devices. Always keep an eye on multiplatform settings to stay in sync. Bon voyage! 
I’ve struggled with this too! Here’s a slightly different approach that might help:
- Open the Outlook app on your smartphone.
- Go to the ‘Calendar’ icon instead of the ‘Home’ icon.
- Tap on the ‘Settings’ (gear icon).
- Scroll down and find ‘Account Settings’ and tap on that.
- Look for ‘Send Automatic Replies’ (sometimes labeled as ‘Vacation Responder’).
- Switch it on and set your custom message.
Advantages? This way, you don’t have to sift through multiple emails in the initial step if your interface is cluttered. But yeah, one con is that this might not work on older versions of the app. Make sure your app is the latest; updating often helps iron out such kinks.
Also, if you’re managing multiple accounts, it’s helpful to have unified settings to make the process easier. I found that while the competitors mentioned are helpful, synchronization across multiple devices/business accounts often gets more seamless with periodic updates.
As for suggesting alternative contacts, that’s spot on! It’ll make life easier for everyone back at the office. Also, keep a closing note saying you’ve got limited access to emails if that’s true—it sets expectations right.
Happy vacation! 
PRO :
- Centralized control for multiple accounts.
- Offers quicker access in some app versions.
- Keeps interface cleaner by avoiding email clutter.
CON :
- May not work in older app versions.
- Not entirely intuitive depending on account settings configuration.