Microsoft Phases Out 17MB Outlook Lite for Android to Streamline Codebase Management

Microsoft has announced that starting from October 6, 2025, users will no longer be able to download the Outlook Lite application for Android devices. Following this date, the app will cease to function, redirecting users instead to the standard Outlook app. However, the exact date when Outlook Lite will stop working entirely has yet to be confirmed.

Initially launched in August 2022, Outlook Lite was designed specifically for users with slower internet connections or older Android devices. The app originally required only 5MB of storage, but it has since expanded to 17MB. In comparison, the full Outlook application now takes up a considerable 107MB of space.

Despite my initial doubts regarding the viability of Outlook Lite on Android, it represented Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to accessibility in communication. The company has a track record of launching various versions or iterations of its products, often abandoning them shortly after inception. When Microsoft proclaimed that it wanted to make its email service available to everyone with an internet connection, it positioned Outlook Lite as a solution for users facing device limitations.

The above screenshot, captured on my Android device, shows that Outlook Lite utilises only 34MB of storage, though this can increase up to 100MB. In stark contrast, the standard Outlook app consumes between 1GB and 2GB of space, highlighting the significant difference in resource requirements.

Outlook Lite offered functionalities beyond being a mere pared-down version of the main app. Its last significant update in 2024 introduced SMS support, allowing users to manage their text messages through Outlook Lite effectively. This innovative feature was not included in the primary Outlook app, further distinguishing the Lite version.

User interface enhancements included an SMS icon within the navigation bar, which, when selected, displayed all available text messages. This level of integration transformed Outlook Lite into a multifunctional tool, akin to a dedicated messaging application.

Another significant advantage of Outlook Lite is its lack of Copilot integration. Unlike the full version of Outlook, the Lite variant offers a cleaner experience, free from what some users perceive as unnecessary additions.

Why Microsoft is Phasing Out Outlook Lite

In a recent statement to Windows Latest, Microsoft explained its decision to discontinue Outlook Lite, emphasizing the optimization of the standard Outlook app for low-end devices. With these improvements, the need for a separate Lite version has diminished.

While not explicitly stated, the trend suggests that Microsoft aims to streamline its offerings by consolidating all Outlook applications into a single platform compatible across various devices.

As part of this strategy, Windows 11 has transitioned from the Mail and Calendar applications to a web-based version of Outlook. Users are increasingly encouraged to utilize the web version, even those subscribed to Microsoft 365, which traditionally included Outlook Classic, a more robust Win32 version of the email client.

Microsoft appears committed to migrating all Outlook clients to the web application; however, the Progressive Web App (PWA) format has faced criticism for lacking the polished feel of a native app. Many users have voiced their frustrations with the web version of Outlook on Windows 11, which often feels less integrated compared to traditional applications.

Recent improvements have introduced features that allow users to access and preview email attachments offline, thanks to Edge/Chromium’s web storage capabilities that enable the web app to function similarly to a native application. Nevertheless, there remains a limitation in support for features like Outlook PST, with no clear timeline for enhancements in this area.

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