The fastest way to sign out depends on which version of Outlook you're using
If you're using Outlook on the web (the version you access through a browser), look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner, click it, and select "Sign out". If you're using the Outlook desktop app on Windows or Mac, go to File menu, then Account Settings, then Sign Out. On a phone or tablet, the process varies slightly by device — swipe to your account settings and look for a sign-out or remove account option.
The reason to sign out matters. If you're on a shared computer, signing out prevents the next person from reading your emails or accessing your calendar. If you're troubleshooting a problem, signing out and back in often fixes sync issues or password problems. If you're switching to a different email account on the same device, you'll need to sign out first.
Key Takeaways
- On Outlook web, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Sign out" from the menu.
- On the Outlook desktop app for Windows or Mac, use File > Account Settings > Sign Out.
- On iPhone or Android, go to Settings within the app and look for "Remove Account" or "Sign Out".
- Signing out on one device does not automatically sign you out on other devices — you must sign out of each one separately.
Signing out of Outlook on the web
Open Outlook in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the screen. You'll see either a circular profile picture or a circle with your initials inside it. Click on it once.
A small menu will drop down. At the bottom of that menu, you'll see "Sign out". Click it. Outlook will close your session and take you to the sign-in page. If you see a message asking whether you want to stay signed in to other Microsoft services (like OneDrive or Word online), choose based on what you want — signing out of Outlook does not force you out of those other services.
Signing out of Outlook on Windows
Open the Outlook desktop application. At the very top left, click the word "File". A menu will open on the left side of your screen.
Look for "Account Settings" in that menu and click it. A submenu will appear. Click "Account Settings" again (it appears twice). A window will open showing your email accounts. Find the account you want to sign out of, click it once to select it, then look for a "Sign Out" button. Click that button.
Outlook will ask you to confirm. Click "Yes" or "Sign Out" depending on what button appears. You'll be signed out of that account. If you have multiple email accounts set up in Outlook, you can sign out of one without affecting the others.
Signing out of Outlook on Mac
Open Outlook. At the top of your screen, you'll see the menu bar with "File", "Edit", "View" and other options. Click "File".
In the dropdown menu, look for "Account Settings" and click it. A window will open. Find your email account in the list on the left, click it to select it, then look for the "Sign Out" button. Click it and confirm when asked.
Signing out of Outlook on iPhone or iPad
Open the Outlook app. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see several icons. Tap the one that looks like a person or shows your initials — this is usually called "Me" or "Account".
Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. You'll see an option that says "Sign Out" or "Remove Account". Tap it. The app will ask you to confirm. Tap "Sign Out" or "Remove" depending on what appears. You'll be signed out and returned to the sign-in screen.
Signing out of Outlook on Android
Open the Outlook app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom left of the screen, or tap your profile picture if you see one.
Look for "Settings" and tap it. Find your email account in the list and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Remove Account" or "Sign Out". Tap it and confirm when the app asks. You'll be signed out of that account.
What happens after you sign out
Once you sign out, your emails, calendar, and contacts are no longer visible in that app or browser on that device. The next time you open Outlook, you'll see the sign-in screen. You'll need to enter your email address and password to access your account again.
Signing out of Outlook on one device does not sign you out on other devices. If you sign out on your computer, you'll still be signed in on your phone unless you sign out there too. This is useful if you want to keep access on some devices but remove it from others — for example, if you're returning a work computer but want to keep Outlook on your personal phone.
If you forget to sign out on a shared computer and want to sign out remotely, you can change your Microsoft password from any other device. This will force you out of Outlook everywhere, though it will also require you to sign back in with your new password on all your personal devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out of Outlook delete my emails?
No. Your emails stay on Microsoft's servers. When you sign back in with the same account, all your messages, folders, and calendar events will be there exactly as you left them. Signing out only removes access from that specific device or browser.
What's the difference between signing out and closing the app?
Closing the app just shuts down the program, but you remain signed in. The next time you open it, you'll go straight to your inbox without entering a password. Signing out removes your account from the app entirely, so you'll need to sign in again the next time you open it.
Can I sign out of Outlook without knowing my password?
Yes. You don't need your password to sign out — you only need it to sign back in. Use the sign-out steps for your device, and you'll be logged out immediately.
If I sign out on my phone, will I still get email notifications?
No. Once you sign out, the Outlook app can no longer access your account, so it cannot receive or notify you of new emails. You'll need to sign back in to get notifications again.
How do I sign out if I'm locked out of my account?
If you can't sign in because you've forgotten your password, you can still remove the account from the app without signing in. On most devices, go to Settings, find your email account, and choose "Remove Account". This clears it from that device without requiring a password.