Yesterday, Microsoft officially announced that they are going to discontinue OWA app for Android, iPad and iPhone devices. Well, this not that shocking decision at all.
For the past several years, Microsoft has focused on bringing more productive features to the Outlook app for iOS and Android device. While on another hand consumer obviously prefer native app which delivers more functionality and better user experience compare to OWA. So obviously, there is no good reason for continuing OWA apps.
In case if you don’t know OWA for Android app haven’t received an update since July 27, 2016. While OWA for iPhone is still holding the 93rd position in the Business category in App Store.
From April 2018, OWA for iOS and Android will no longer be available for download from App Store and Google Play Store. Later on, in the same month, Microsoft start notifying users about the retirement of OWA along with the download link of native Outlook app. On May 15, 2018, OWA mobile apps will stop working. So after that, Office 365 users will be redirected to a link to download Outlook on iOS or Android, depending on their operating system.
Of course, there are a couple of features (such as Shared Inbox) that are available on OWA mobile app but not available in the native Outlook app. Though, Microsoft is planning to bring this feature by the end of 2018.
On May 15, 2018, the OWA mobile apps will stop working. You can go ahead find the detailed information about this from here.
