Outlook Lite will be completely shut down for Android users in 6 weeks: report

The Microsoft company logo is displayed at their offices in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

Microsoft has announced that Outlook Lite, its pared-back email app made specially for Android devices, will no longer work for users soon as the company shifts its focus to its full-sized mobile app, according to a technology news website.

May 25 will be the final day that users will be able to access their mailboxes on the Outlook Lite app, Neowin reported on Sunday.

The news comes months after Microsoft announced it would be retiring the application. No new downloads have been permitted since October of last year.

“Existing users can continue using the app for a limited time before full retirement,” Microsoft says in a note on its website. “To continue enjoying a secure and feature-rich email experience, we recommend switching to Outlook Mobile.”

While Outlook Lite was designed for Android only, Outlook Mobile is also available to iOS users.

When the lighter and faster version of the Outlook app was launched in 2022, Microsoft said it would help users of a variety of Android devices, particularly older ones, to better access email services.

The app was made “to empower more individuals, schools, universities, and small businesses with a solution for their lightweight mobile devices,” Microsoft said in a post at the time.

“Outlook Lite brings the main features of Microsoft Outlook in a smaller-sized app with fast performance for lightweight devices on any network.”

Although mailbox access and app navigation will be disabled on May 25, user accounts will not be deleted or disabled, according to Neowin, and all existing emails, calendar items, and attachments will be accessible once users switch over to Outlook Mobile.