How to Change Focused Inbox View in Outlook

To change the Focused view in Outlook, switch between the Focused and Other tabs at the top of your inbox; to remove the split, turn off Focused Inbox in your Outlook settings. The exact control depends on whether you use classic Outlook, new Outlook, Outlook on the web, a Mac, or a phone. The steps below cover each version and explain how to move messages Outlook sorts into the wrong tab.

What You’ll Need

An Outlook account and access to its inbox. Focused Inbox is generally available for supported Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Outlook.com accounts; it may not appear for every account type or organization.
The Outlook app or website you normally use. Keep in mind that classic Outlook and new Outlook for Windows have different menus.
If you want to change the setting for a work or school mailbox, permission to change its mail settings. An organization may manage or disable Focused Inbox centrally.

Step-by-Step

Identify your Outlook version. On Windows, classic Outlook has the traditional desktop ribbon and commonly includes a File tab. New Outlook has a more web-like interface and a Settings gear near the top. Outlook on the web runs in your browser, while Outlook for iOS and Android uses a mobile app. Use the matching directions below rather than searching for a control that belongs to another version.
Switch tabs if you only want to see the other group of messages. Open your Inbox and look just above the message list for Focused and Other. Select Focused to see mail Outlook has prioritized, or select Other to see the remaining messages. This only changes the messages currently displayed; it does not turn off the feature or move messages between groups.
Turn Focused Inbox on or off in new Outlook for Windows. Select the Settings gear in the upper-right corner. In the settings panel, open Mail, then Layout. Find the Focused Inbox option, usually described as sorting messages into Focused and Other, and switch it on or off. Close Settings and return to the inbox. If the change does not appear immediately, wait a moment or refresh the message list.
Change the setting in Outlook on the web. Open Outlook in your browser and select the Settings gear. Choose Mail > Layout, then locate the Focused Inbox setting and select the option to sort messages into Focused and Other or turn that sorting off. Settings can vary slightly by account or a rollout of the web interface. If Layout is not visible, use the settings search box and search for “Focused Inbox.”
Toggle it in classic Outlook for Windows. Go to the View tab on the ribbon. In the Layout or arrangement area, select Show Focused Inbox to toggle the feature. When it is enabled, the Focused and Other tabs appear above the message list. Select the same command again to turn the split off. If the command is missing, check that you have selected the mailbox Inbox rather than another folder, and confirm that Outlook is connected to an account that supports the feature.
Change it in Outlook for Mac. Open the mailbox and look under the View tab for Focused Inbox; select it to show or hide the split if the command is available in your build. In some current Mac layouts, use the Settings gear, open Mail and then Layout, and change the Focused Inbox option there. Mac menus can differ depending on whether you use new or legacy Outlook, so if neither route appears, update Outlook and check the settings search or help for your installed version.
Change it in Outlook for iOS or Android. Tap your account picture or initials, then tap the Settings gear. Select the relevant mail account if necessary and find the Focused Inbox switch; turn it on or off. Return to the inbox. If your app displays Focused and Other, tap the tab you want. The location of account settings can differ slightly between app versions, and settings may be per account rather than global.
Move a message that Outlook sorted incorrectly. In the inbox, select or open the message in the wrong tab. Use the message’s Move command and choose the other inbox category, such as Move to Focused or Move to Other, when offered. Some versions also let you choose an option to always move messages from that sender to the selected tab. Read the confirmation carefully: a one-time move affects that message, while an always-move choice can influence future messages from the sender.
Check the result in the same mailbox. Return to Inbox and confirm that the tabs are either present or absent as intended. If the tabs remain after you switched the setting off, make sure you changed the setting for the correct account, then refresh Outlook or close and reopen the app. Turning the split off combines the view; it does not delete messages or erase your mail.

Common Mistakes

Confusing the tabs with the setting. Clicking Other is not the same as disabling Focused Inbox. It only displays the Other group. To combine the inbox into one list, use the Focused Inbox switch or the Show Focused Inbox command for your version.

Looking in the wrong Outlook. Classic Outlook for Windows uses the View ribbon, while new Outlook and the web version generally put the control in Mail layout settings. Following one version’s directions in another can make a working feature seem missing.

Changing a different account or folder. Outlook can show several mailboxes, and some settings are account-specific. Make sure you are looking at the account whose inbox you want to change. The tabs may not show in Sent Items, Archive, or a custom folder, even when Focused Inbox is enabled for Inbox.

Expecting a moved message to change the setting. Moving one email between Focused and Other changes its placement, not the overall view. Choose the always-move option only if you want Outlook to apply that preference to future messages from the sender.

Assuming the feature is available for every mailbox. Focused Inbox support depends on the account and Outlook configuration. A work administrator can control availability, and some connected account types may not offer it. An absent switch does not necessarily mean you missed a menu.

Tips

Use Focused and Other as a sorting aid, not as separate folders. Messages remain part of the same mailbox, and searching the mailbox can still find mail that is not visible in the selected tab.
Check Other periodically, especially after enabling Focused Inbox. Useful messages can be sorted there, and reading or moving them helps you keep track of what Outlook has categorized.
When correcting a sender’s mail, distinguish between a one-time move and a rule-like preference for future messages. Choose the one-time option when a single message is unusual, such as a receipt or an unexpected notification.
If you use Outlook on multiple devices, check the inbox on each one after changing the setting. The view or available controls may differ by app, account, or version; do not assume that a missing tab on one device means mail has disappeared.
Keep Outlook up to date. Microsoft changes the placement and wording of settings over time, and updating can restore a menu or align your interface with current support instructions.

Troubleshooting

The Focused and Other tabs are missing. First confirm that you are in the Inbox and that the account supports Focused Inbox. In new Outlook or the web, open Settings > Mail > Layout and check the sorting option. In classic Windows Outlook, check View > Show Focused Inbox. If the switch is on but the tabs still do not appear, refresh the browser or restart the desktop app.

The setting is greyed out or does not stay changed. Sign in to the correct account and check whether it is a work or school mailbox. Your Microsoft 365 administrator may manage the feature, or your account type may not support it. If you cannot change it, contact your organization’s IT support or use the mailbox’s web version to see whether the setting is available there.

The tabs appear on one device but not another. Verify that both apps are signed in to the same account, not two similar-looking mailboxes. Update the app, reopen the inbox, and check its own Focused Inbox setting. Mobile apps can have separate account controls, and older desktop builds may place the command differently.

A message is still in the wrong tab. Check both Focused and Other before concluding it is missing. Search for the sender or subject if needed, then move the message to the preferred tab. If Outlook keeps sorting new messages from that sender the same way, use the option to always move that sender’s mail, if your version offers it. Review any confirmation before applying a lasting preference.

You cannot find the exact menu named here. Microsoft sometimes adjusts labels and layouts. Use Settings search for “Focused Inbox” in new Outlook or Outlook on the web, or search Outlook Help for your specific app version. For classic Windows Outlook, make sure the ribbon is expanded and the Inbox is selected before checking the View tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Focused Inbox the same as the Focused view?
Usually, yes. Focused Inbox is the feature that divides the inbox into Focused and Other. “Focused view” commonly refers to selecting the Focused tab rather than changing Outlook’s overall display layout.

Does turning off Focused Inbox delete or move my messages?
No. Turning it off removes the two-tab split and presents mail in a combined inbox view. It does not delete messages. Moving an individual message is a separate action.

Can I make one sender always appear in Focused?
Often. Move a message from that sender to Focused and select the option to always move future messages there if it is offered. The wording and availability depend on your Outlook app and account.

Why does Outlook put an important email in Other?
Focused Inbox automatically sorts messages based on signals such as your contacts and how you interact with email. The classification is not perfect. Move the message to Focused, and use an always-move option if you want to influence future mail from that sender.

Can I change Focused Inbox for just one account?
In many versions, yes. Select the relevant account when changing its mail settings, especially in the mobile app. If the switch appears to affect more than one mailbox, check each account’s settings and confirm which inbox is selected.

Is Focused Inbox available for every Outlook account?
No. Availability can depend on the mailbox type, Outlook version, and organizational settings. If the switch is absent in the right inbox and current app, check with your email administrator or account provider.

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