Standalone Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel Required on iOS as Microsoft 365 App Transforms into Copilot Wrapper

Microsoft 365 Copilot Update: Editing Features Limited on iOS

As of September 2025, Microsoft’s 365 Copilot, which previously identified as Microsoft 365 and was once known as Office 365, will discontinue its editing functionalities for documents, presentations, and spreadsheets on iOS devices, starting with the iPhone. This transition signifies a shift to a preview-only application mode.

Consequently, users will pivot towards using standalone Office applications—including Word for document editing, PowerPoint for presentations, and Excel for spreadsheets—when they need to make changes to their files.

In a statement to Windows Latest, Microsoft outlined the specifics of this change. Users will be prompted to download the standalone applications if they attempt to edit files through Microsoft 365 Copilot, with a notification banner appearing within the app.

Microsoft claims this transition represents a consumer-friendly enhancement, introducing a more “streamlined file preview experience.”

The Shift to “Preview with Copilot”: Concerns from Users

Currently, Microsoft 365 app users on iPhone and iPad can edit nearly all compatible Office file types. For instance, a Word document saved on iOS or OneDrive can be opened and modified in Microsoft 365 Copilot, complete with advanced functionalities like formatting options and the ability to convert.docx files to.pdf. Excel users have access to numerous formulas for robust data handling.

Previously, Microsoft 365 Copilot sufficed for basic editing needs, offering enough features while allowing users to download standalone apps for additional capabilities. However, Microsoft now aims to steer users away from using Copilot for editing tasks.

Instead, Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed to facilitate document reading, presentations, and spreadsheets while encouraging users to engage in “Copilot Chat” for inquiries. Although Copilot can summarize information, the ability to modify files directly within the application will be absent.

A new “Create”feature within Microsoft 365 Copilot will allow users to initiate document creation without offering traditional templates for Word or PowerPoint. In this scenario, users will interact with a Copilot chatbox, prompting the AI to generate content, but for any editing, a redirection to standalone apps will be necessary.

Moreover, Microsoft plans to unveil updates across Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive, effectively blocking users from opening files in Microsoft 365 Copilot when they select the edit option, thus requiring a switch to the standalone apps.

This update is set to roll out on September 15 for iPhone users, with similar adjustments gradually becoming available on iPad over the following weeks.

This series of changes raises concerns about the usability of the Microsoft 365 iPhone app, which transitions into a viewer-only experience powered by Copilot, requiring users to access Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for even minor modifications. Such a shift disrupts straightforward workflows and may lead to confusion about the distinct functionalities of chat and editing.

Interestingly, despite the focus on document summarization and creation through the consumer-centric Copilot application, the ambiguity between Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot persists, likely exacerbating user frustration rather than alleviating it.

It remains to be seen if similar restrictions will also extend to Android devices in the near future.

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