How to remove Outlook from Android by Bas Wijdenes

Option to Uninstall Outlook is grayed out in Android.

Uninstall grayed out Deleting Outlook Android
Uninstall grayed out Deleting Outlook Android.

You can’t just remove Outlook from Android because it is installed as a device administrator.

During the installation of Outlook and configuring your mail, the Outlook Application asks if it can be a ‘Device Administrator’. If you choose ‘no’ then the setup is canceled. If you accept that the Outlook app may be the device administrator, then you must implement additional settings for security.

If you then want to remove the Outlook app again, you can’t do that anymore. The option to remove Outlook is grayed out. See the screenshot below.

In the manual below I explain how you can remove Outlook in Android. The tutorial consists of a short explanation and an explanation with screenshots for the dummies among us.


Let’s delete Outlook from Android.

Part 1: Delete Outlook in Android for Experts.

  • Go to settings (It’s the gearwheel).
  • Find the general tab in settings.
  • Scroll to Security.
  • Click on Device Administrators.
  • Uncheck the checkbox next to Outlook Device Policy.
  • You should be able to uninstall outlook now.

Part 2: Remove Outlook in Android for dummies.

Find the Settings app. Mine is on my start screen.
If yours is not, go to All Apps and search for Settings. The Settings app should then appear.
As you can see in the screenshot, the app is a gearwheel.

delete outlook app
Delete Outlook app.

Go through the tabs until you find the General tab. Then scroll down to Security.

delete outlook android
Delete Outlook Android.

Select Device Administrators.

remove outlook app
Remove Outlook app.

Here you can see all applications that are Device Administrators.
As you can see, Outlook is also included here.
Uncheck the checkbox next to Outlook Device Policy.

remove outlook android
Remove Outlook Android.

A summary of the whole story.

If you have unchecked the Outlook Device Policy you should now be able to

The button to uninstall Outlook is now no longer grayed out.
The button to uninstall Outlook is now no longer grayed out.

remove Outlook from Android as you can see in the screenshot.

You could also use the default mail application within Android. This allows you to install your Outlook account or other accounts via ActiveSync or via IMAP or POP3.

If you have Outlook installed because of a business policy, there is a possibility that you can not remove it because your company manages these options. Then you should indicate this to your help desk.

If you need any more help please do not hesitate to comment below. I’ll try to get in contact with you as soon as possible.

Published by

Bas Wijdenes

My name is Bas Wijdenes and I work as a PowerShell DevOps Engineer. In my spare time I write about interesting stuff that I encounter during my work.

12 thoughts on “How to remove Outlook from Android by Bas Wijdenes”

  1. Did not work for me.
    The only options I still have are “uitschakelen” and “nu stoppen”, not uninstall

  2. Removing the app on an Android is a piece of the puzzle. How do you remove the data files associated with the account(s)? A large email file (e.g., pst/ost) may need to be removed as well.

    Pls advise.

  3. Hi Bas,
    most relevant keyword is “Device Admin”.
    And that isn’t mentioned in many threads concerning this issue.
    Thanks a lot!

  4. Thanks for the information . I understood the process of Uninstalling outlook app from my android phone.

    My concern is: will this installation wipe my phone?
    Are there any chances of losing all the data from my phone?

    Please let me know.

        1. In Mi mobile, the steps are :
          1. Go to settings
          2. Additional settings
          3. Privacy
          4. Device Administration
          5. Uncheck the required application you want to deactivate and then uninstall respectively.

  5. I’m unsure how all people feel about the whole Microsoft Exchange and Device Policies but it gives me peace of mind knowing that I can remotely manage a device in case of theft.

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