Message Center
Published Aug 15, 2025
Introduction
Updated October 13, 2025: We are streamlininghave updated the Microsoft 365 Copilot mobile app on iPhone and iPad to help users interact with their content more naturally and efficiently. This update will introduce file previews of Word, Excel, PowerPoint files in the mobile app. In these file previews, users can easily view file contents and comments, as well as use Copilot Chat to command and ask questions about the file. As part of this change, users will be prompted to open the standalone Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps to edit their files. This change is rolling out in Septembercontent. Thank you for iPhone devices and coming later for iPad devices.your patience.
When this will happenhappen: Updated Rollout Schedule for iPhone and iPad
This updateThe first phase of this change is in-product notifications in the M365 Copilot app to encourage users who are editing documents to install the Word, PowerPoint, Excel apps. Users who try to browse files or manage their OneDrive libraries will be promoted to install the OneDrive app. This in-app notification will roll out to TestFlight users at the end of August and become generally available for iPhone devices onthe week of September 15, 2025. This is a modification from the initial post to allow our enterprise customers more time to prepare.
The second phase of this change updates the Word, PowerPoint and iPad devices will have similar changes soon after.
How this affects your organization
August 22, 2025:
When users edit or try to create a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint fileExcel functionality in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app on an iOS (iPhone or iPad) device, theywith previewers that will be made available to TestFlight users only in October and GA rollout will begin seeingmid-October 2025. This will be a popup banner encouraging installationgradual, phased rollout that will take about 4 weeks or so to reach 100% of customers. These changes only apply to iPhone for now, iPad will see similar changes with a start of TestFlight in early November, and the start of the GA rollout in mid November. For iPad we will have a phased rollout that gradually ramps up to 100% of GA in about 4 weeks time.
To get early builds and test out features before GA dates – you will need to join the iOS TestFlight program for the Microsoft 365 Copilot app. There are a limited number of seats available in the iOS TestFlight program. We periodically remove inactive users (those who have not updated their build) to make space for others. If you are unable to join because the program is full, please check back later, or contact your Microsoft Support representative. Learn More: Microsoft 365 Insider program on iOS, Become a Microsoft 365 Insider on iOS.
How this affects your organization: Transition to Previewers in the M365 Copilot App for WXP file viewing & File Access & Management
As part of this update, the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for iPhone and iPad will transition to a Copilot powered preview experience for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Users will continue to be able to view files and use Copilot Chat to get deeper analysis and insights on their content. If a user needs to edit, the M365 Copilot app will transition to the standalone Word, Excel, or PowerPoint app.apps. Users can chooseof the M365 Copilot app will continue to ignore the bannerbe able to browse and continuesearch recent files in the Microsoft 365app, but users seeking comprehensive file management features will be encouraged to utilize the OneDrive app. When users land in the M365 Copilot app, with no changeapp Search experience and navigate to functionality.the My files, Libraries, or My device entry points a notification will appear promoting the use of the OneDrive app for these actions.
September 15, 2025:
Detailed Change Log: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, M365 Copilot App
After September 15, 2025:
We will roll out a similar set of updates to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app for iPad.
What you can do to prepareprepare: Updated Recommendations
No admin action is required. However, we recommend:
• The M365 Copilot app should continue to be available to end users as an AI-first productivity assistant. It brings together productivity apps from the iOS App Store.
• Update all internal documentation and training materials to reflect the newrevised file handling behavior for the Microsoft 365M365 Copilot iOS app.
• For organizations using mobile device management (MDM), consider pushingpush the standalone Word, Excel, PowerPointPowerPoint, and OneDrive apps to managed iOS/iPadOS devices.
• Join the iOS devices.
Learn more: Deployment guide: Manage iOS/iPadOS devices in Microsoft Intune
Compliance considerationsconsiderations: Impact on Workflows, Admin Controls, and Metrics
| Compliance Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? | Users can |
| Does the change modify, interrupt, or disable any of the following capabilities (Purview)? | |
| Does the change include an admin control and, can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership? | Admins can manage app deployment and access via Entra ID and MDM policies. The M365 Copilot app should remain in managed app stores for enterprise environments. |
The M365 Copilot app remains a necessary and supported solution for enterprise environments, providing preview and AI-powered chat experiences for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. Organizations should continue to manage and deploy the Copilot app to maintain access to Enterprise AI workflows.