The fastest way to log out depends on which version you're using

If you use Outlook on your computer as a desktop program, click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner, then select "Sign out". If you use Outlook in a web browser, the button is in the same place. On a phone or tablet, swipe from the left edge of the screen to open the menu, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Sign out". The process takes about five seconds either way.

The reason to log out is straightforward: when you sign out, your account stops being active on that device. Someone else who picks up your phone or sits at your computer cannot read your emails, see your calendar, or send messages pretending to be you. If you share a device with family members or use a public computer, logging out is the basic step that keeps your account separate from theirs.

Key Takeaways

  • On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right and select "Sign out"—this works the same way in the desktop app and in a web browser.
  • On a phone or tablet, open the menu from the left edge of the screen, scroll down, and tap "Sign out".
  • Logging out removes your account from that device, so the next person who uses it cannot access your emails or calendar without signing in with their own account.
  • If you forget to log out on a shared device, you can sign out remotely from another device by changing your password, which forces all other sessions to end.

Logging out on Windows and Mac

Open Outlook and look at the top right corner of the window. You will see either your name, your email address, or a small circle with your initials inside it. Click on that area. A menu will drop down with a few options, including "Sign out" or "Log out"—the exact wording depends on your version of Outlook.

After you click "Sign out", Outlook will close or return to the sign-in screen. The next time someone opens Outlook on that computer, they will need to enter their own email address and password. Your emails and calendar will not appear until someone signs back in with your account.

Logging out in Outlook on the web

If you use Outlook through a web browser—by going to outlook.office.com or outlook.com—the sign-out button is in the same place as the desktop version. Click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the page. Select "Sign out" from the menu that appears.

Your browser will return to the sign-in page. If you are on a shared computer, this is the moment to close the browser window or walk away. The next person who opens a browser and goes to outlook.com will see the sign-in screen, not your inbox.

Logging out on iPhone and Android

On a phone or tablet, the sign-out button is not as obvious as on a computer. Open the Outlook app and look at the bottom left corner—you will see a menu icon (three horizontal lines, sometimes called a hamburger menu). Tap it to open the side menu.

Scroll all the way to the bottom of that menu. You will see "Sign out" or "Log out". Tap it. The app will ask you to confirm that you want to sign out. After you confirm, the app will return to the sign-in screen. Your account is now removed from that phone.

What happens after you sign out

Once you sign out, your account is no longer active on that device. The device does not store your emails or calendar data in a way that someone else can access without signing in. If someone opens Outlook on that device, they will see a blank sign-in screen asking for an email address and password.

Signing out is different from deleting the app or closing the window. If you just close Outlook without signing out, your account may still be active the next time the app opens. If you delete the app without signing out first, the account information may remain on the device in a way that a tech-savvy person could recover. Signing out is the clean way to disconnect.

If you forgot to sign out on a shared device

If you used Outlook on someone else's computer or phone and forgot to sign out, you can force a sign-out from a different device. Go to your Microsoft account settings at account.microsoft.com, sign in with your email and password, and look for a section called "Your devices" or "Sessions". You will see a list of devices where your account is currently signed in. Find the device you want to sign out of and select "Sign out" or "Remove".

Another option is to change your password. When you change your password, all active sessions on all devices are forced to end. The next time someone tries to use Outlook on the shared device, they will need to enter your new password—which they will not have. This is slower than using the account settings page, but it works if you cannot find the sessions list.

The difference between signing out and locking your computer

Signing out of Outlook is not the same as locking your computer or phone. When you lock your device, the screen goes dark and requires a password to wake up, but your apps may still be running in the background. Someone who unlocks the device can open Outlook and see your emails without entering your Outlook password.

When you sign out of Outlook, the app itself closes your account connection. Even if someone has access to your unlocked device, they cannot open Outlook and see your emails—they would need your Outlook password. If you share a device with other people, signing out of Outlook is more protective than locking the device alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does signing out delete my emails?

No. Your emails stay on Microsoft's servers. When you sign back in with your password on any device, all your emails and calendar events will be there. Signing out only removes your account from that specific device.

What if I sign out and then want to sign back in?

Open Outlook and you will see the sign-in screen. Enter your email address and password, and your account will be active again on that device. This is the normal way to switch between accounts on a shared computer or phone.

Can someone else sign into my Outlook account if I forget to sign out?

Not without your password. If you forget to sign out, your account remains active on that device, so anyone who picks it up can read your emails without entering a password. But they cannot sign in as you on a different device without knowing your password.

Is signing out the same as uninstalling the Outlook app?

No. Uninstalling removes the app from your phone, but your account information may remain on the device. Signing out first is the cleaner approach. If you uninstall without signing out, use the account settings page to force a remote sign-out.

What if I use Outlook at work?

The sign-out process is the same, but your workplace may have additional security rules. Some companies require you to sign out at the end of each day, and some monitor which devices are signed in. Check with your IT department if you are unsure whether you need to take extra steps.