How to move the action bar in Outlook to the top of the page in iOS.

Question

How to move the action bar in Outlook to the top of the page in iOS.

Rod Spradlin 5

I remember when windows was implemented and I was using DOS infrastructure. I remember using a Xerox product that resembled windows before windows existed. I remember using a DOS spreadsheet before excel was invented.

I know that there are many other senior citizens like myself that enjoy the standardization of software that has been in place for years.

When the action bar was moved to the bottom of a page and outlook, I now have to stop and think about where to tap, and I lose my train of thought. If you are new to using Windows Outlook, then it doesn’t make any difference to you. But to some of us who have been in place for a little while, it becomes extremely annoying to have to figure out where the bar went for a fraction or even a couple of seconds. I think that you just created one of the best reasons for switching to Google.

Perhaps the team that initiated this change, maybe being paid by Google.

There are a lot of people who are considered extremely intelligent who have developed physical habits on computers that make them quick and efficient, but the frustration of having to go find the action bar in Outlook interrupts your train of thought.

If you want to aggravate your grandparents, you have succeeded!

JEFF JOHANNES 5 Reputation points

2025-08-13T13:03:53.77+00:00

I agree. Sure, I am able to customize the tool bar…nifty. Since it is customizable, why not make it switchable back to the top? I also have a muscle and mental memory that makes the tool bar at the top more familiar, efficient and second nature. Please at least give the user the option.

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JEFF JOHANNES 5 Reputation points

2025-08-13T13:03:53.77+00:00

I agree. Sure, I am able to customize the tool bar…nifty. Since it is customizable, why not make it switchable back to the top? I also have a muscle and mental memory that makes the tool bar at the top more familiar, efficient and second nature. Please at least give the user the option.

Answer 1

Ben-V 875 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear @Rod Spradlin,

Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding the recent update to Outlook for iOS, specifically the relocation of the action toolbar from the top-right to the bottom of the email view. We acknowledge that the recent update may feel disruptive, particularly for long-time users who have developed strong muscle memory around the previous layout.

Microsoft introduced this change in July 2025 to improve accessibility and consistency across mobile platforms. While the toolbar’s new position is not currently reversible, the app now offers customization options that allow you to tailor the toolbar to your workflow. You can reorder, add, or remove actions to ensure your most-used functions are always within reach.

While you can’t move the toolbar back to the top, you can customize which actions appear and in what order, which help to reduce confusion and improve efficiency.

How to Customize the Toolbar:

Open an Email in Outlook for iOS.
Tap the “⋯” (More options) button on the bottom toolbar.
Select “Reorder” to open the customization screen.
Drag and Drop Actions:
- Move actions between the Toolbar and More Actions (overflow).
- Rearrange the order of icons in the Toolbar.
Changes Save Automatically and exit the menu.

We're truly sorry for the inconvenience. As moderators in the community, please be aware that we are not responsible for the design of the product.

Your opinion is very good and practical. In this case, I recommend you visit the following link: Feedback Portal Microsoft 365 Feedback Hub to share your thoughts. This action helps your opinion reach others who have had similar experiences and also gets to Microsoft more quickly Go to: Microsoft Outlook · Community→Send Feedback→ Describe your proposal in detail.

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We highly appreciate your suggestions for developing features in Microsoft products to provide better customer experiences.

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Rod Spradlin 5 Reputation points

2025-07-30T19:24:28.6+00:00

You should pass this along to your parents and grandparents and ask for their honest opinion.

Be prepared!

With all due respect…

They will probably send you to your room. It feels like someone created this for you and is getting paid by the number of words they use.

I would like to see the actual rationale for making this change. If I was a betting man, I would wager that this was a canned response that was selected at random..

I spent 10 years refereeing college sports and at the end of the game nobody loves you half the people are gonna hate you

I learned to call them the way I see them…
Ben-V 875 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-01T19:20:13.2633333+00:00

Have a good day, @Rod Spradlin! I hope you're doing well.

Thank you for your candid feedback. We truly appreciate your honesty and the time you took to share your thoughts.

We acknowledge that the recent change to the action bar layout in Outlook has disrupted familiar workflows for many users. Your concerns about the rationale and communication around this update are valid, and we’re actively sharing this kind of feedback with our product team.

While the intent behind the redesign was to improve accessibility and consistency across platforms, we recognize that such changes can feel abrupt, especially when they affect long-standing habits. We’re exploring ways to offer more flexibility and customization in future updates.

Please know your voice matters, and we’re committed to making Outlook better for everyone. If you have specific suggestions or use cases, you'd like us to consider, we’d love to hear them.

Thanks again for helping us improve.

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Rod Spradlin 5 Reputation points

2025-08-01T20:07:20.6966667+00:00

Ben,

Thank you for your kind response. I think that we are in accord.

I have to imagine that you have a masters degree in public speaking or similar area. It would be easy to imagine you advising politicians.

My sincere compliments and thanks,

Rod
Ben-V 875 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-11T21:10:49.9266667+00:00

Have a good day, @Rod Spradlin!

Thank you for your gracious message. I truly appreciate your thoughtful response and am glad to know we are aligned.

Your kind compliments regarding my communication are very encouraging and mean a great deal. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. I hope you have a wonderful day.

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Rod Spradlin 5 Reputation points

2025-08-13T15:02:51.48+00:00

Did any manager read this statement before it was published?

Did any of them have an iPhone?

Please forgive me for being blunt, but I have used Microsoft products for over 50 years and I’ve worked as a system analyst for the federal government and private sector, but I cannot understand why anyone would agree with the following statement. This seems like someone did a copy and paste without thinking.

“Microsoft introduced this change in July 2025 to improve accessibility and consistency across mobile platforms.”
Ben-V 875 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-22T17:45:13.4733333+00:00
Have a good day, @Rod Spradlin!

Thank you for your thoughtful response and for sharing your perspective regarding our recent statement. We truly appreciate your candidness and the depth of experience you bring as a seasoned system analyst.

To clarify:

The statement was reviewed and approved by our management team prior to its release.

While we do not monitor personal devices used by our managers, we strive to ensure that all communications are accurate, relevant, and aligned with the company's goals.

We regret if the message came across as unclear or overly generic. Our intent was to convey Microsoft's ongoing commitment to enhancing accessibility and consistency across mobile platforms, with changes effective from July 2025.

Your insights are highly valued, and we will certainly take them into consideration as we refine future communications.

Thank you once again for your engagement and support.

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joan gumbel 0 Reputation points

2025-08-29T13:15:30.4366667+00:00

I get tired of these changes- they're not necessary.

Answer 2

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How to move the action bar in Outlook to the top of the page in iOS.

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