Setting Up an Out-of-Office Reply in Outlook (Any Device) 2024

Setting Up an Out-of-Office Reply in Outlook (Any Device). Heading out of town for a vacation or taking a well-deserved break? Letting people know you’ll be unreachable can help manage expectations and avoid a flooded inbox upon your return. Thankfully, Outlook makes setting up an out-of-office reply a breeze, no matter what device you’re using.

Setting Up an Out-of-Office Reply in Outlook

Here’s How to set up an out-of-office reply in Outlook on any device

On Your Desktop (Windows or Mac):

1. Open Outlook and click the File tab.

2. In the left-hand pane, select Automatic Replies. (In older versions, this might be called Out of Office Assistant under Tools).

3. Activate the Send automatic replies option.

4. Craft your out-of-office message in the provided text box. You can format the text using the available tools or paste pre-formatted content.

5. (Optional) Set a timeframe for your auto-replies by checking the Only send during this time range box. Pick your start and end dates.

6. Click OK to activate your out-of-office message.

On Your Mobile Device (iOS or Android):

1. Launch the Outlook app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap on your profile picture or account icon in the top corner.
3. Select the email account you want to set the auto-reply for.
4. Navigate to Settings or Automatic Replies (depending on your app version).
5. Toggle on the Automatic Replies switch.
6. Compose your out-of-office message and choose who you want to send it to (everyone or only your organization).
7. (Optional) Set a time frame for your auto-replies if available.
8. Tap Save to activate your out-of-office message.

Remember:

• You can customize your message to include information like your return date, how you’ll be checking emails (if at all), and who to contact for urgent matters.
• When you’re back in the office, remember to deactivate your out-of-office reply to resume receiving emails normally.

Outlook on the web:

For Outlook on the web, access your mailbox through a web browser and follow steps similar to the desktop instructions.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your emails are handled appropriately while you’re away, leaving you free to relax and recharge!

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