Microsoft 365 (Outlook on the web | Outlook for Windows/Mac) - Accessing Another Account's Email Folders

There are times when you need to access another account's email folder(s). This document assumes that you have been granted permissions to access email folders in another account. If you do not have Full Mailbox permissions or permissions to access individual folders within another account, please refer to the Microsoft 365 (Outlook on the web | Outlook for Windows/Mac) - Manage permissions to an email folder document.

Expand the desired section below to access the account you have been granted permissions to.


 Outlook on the web

Access mail folders

To access mail folders in Outlook on the Web, please review this Microsoft Article, ensure you remain on the "Outlook on the web" tab.

 Outlook for Windows

Important: In addition to having permissions to the folder(s) of the account you are attempting to access, the account must be searchable in the GAL.

Access mail folders

Important: If your NetID has Full Mailbox permissions (such as being linked) to another account, Outlook for Windows will automatically add the account to your profile (Automapping). There is no need for you to do anything else.

If you do not have Full Mailbox permissions to another account, or you are using New Outlook, please view the instructions below.

For Classic Outlook: Review this Microsoft Article, ensure you remain on the "Classic Outlook" tab.

For New Outlook: Review this Microsoft Article, ensure you remain on the "New Outlook" tab

Outlook for Mac

Important: In addition to having permissions to the folder(s) of the account you are attempting to access, the account must be searchable in the GAL.

Access mail folders - old interface

    1. Start Outlook.
    2. Select the Tools menu and then select Accounts... from the sub-menu.
    3. From the "Accounts" window make sure your Office 365 account is selected in the left-hand pane and click the Advanced... button.
    4. Within the next window select the delegates tab.
    5. In the bottom box titled People I am a delegate for click on the + icon.
    6. On the "Select User" window enter the email address or the name of the account you are searching for and click Find.

      If you do not see the account you're looking for in this list, it may not be a searchable address in the Global Address List. For instructions, please refer to our documentation here.

    7. Select the account in the search results and then click OK.
    8. This will take you back to the delegate account listing page. You should see the account listed in the "People I am a delegate for" box. Click OK.
    9. Close the 'Accounts' window.

    Within a few minutes, the account should appear in your mail/calendar folder pane. Note: If the account does not appear please restart Outlook.

Access mail folders - new interface

    1. Start Outlook.
    2. Select the Tools menu and then select Accounts... from the sub-menu.
    3. From the "Accounts" window make sure your Office 365 account is selected in the left-hand pane and click the Delegation and Sharing button.
    4. Click the "Shared With Me" tab.
    5. Within the next window select the delegates tab.
    6. In the bottom of the window, click on the + icon.
    7. On the "Open Mailbox..." window, enter the email address or the name of the account you are searching for.

      If you do not see the account you're looking for in this list, it may not be a searchable address in the Global Address List. For instructions, please refer to our documentation here.

    8. Select the account in the search results and then click Add.
    9. This will take you back to the delegate account listing page. You should see the account listed in the "Shared With Me" box. Click Done.
    10. Close the 'Accounts' window.

    Within a few minutes, the account should appear in your mail/calendar folder pane. Note: If the account does not appear please restart Outlook client.



Keywords:
microsoft office365 o365 m365 microsoft 365 outlook web app 2016 2019 windows mac win full mailbox owner contributor reviewer non-editing author publishing editor custom permissions open add access rights individual folders grant granted delegate grantee owa subscribe add mailbox share sharing read write user service account netid owner none linked contributor reviewer non-editing author publishing editor editor publishing author author custom availability only limited details full details editor delegate
Doc ID:
38852
Owned by:
O365 S. in Microsoft 365
Created:
2014-03-27
Updated:
2025-06-05
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, Microsoft 365