Microsoft Outlook: Updated behavior for “OpenLinks” app configuration keys for Android/iOS [MC859848]

Microsoft Outlook for iOS/Android supports two app configuration keys for controlling hyperlink behavior:

• com.microsoft.outlook.Settings.OpenLinks.UseSystemDefaultBrowser
• com.microsoft.outlook.Settings.OpenLinks.UserChangeAllowed

This message clarifies the intent and functionality of these configuration keys. Before rollout, we will update existing documentation to match this message.

[When this will happen:]

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out this change in mid-September 2024 and expect to complete by mid-September 2024.

[How this will affect your organization:]

• com.microsoft.outlook.Settings.OpenLinks.UseSystemDefaultBrowser controls whether links open in the system browser (with Safari and Chrome as defaults for iOS and Android), and whether the user is prompted periodically to optionally install Microsoft Edge
• com.microsoft.outlook.Settings.OpenLinks.UserChangeAllowed controls whether the Open Links row appears in Outlook Settings and determines whether users can choose between the system default browser and Microsoft Edge.

Before this rollout, the interaction of these two keys was not fully documented, with potentially unexpected results. The week of September 15, 2024, we will update Outlook mobile for iOS/Android so the behavior with respect to these two policies match the behavior described in the table below:

Note: Behavior differs depending on whether Microsoft Edge is already installed on the mobile device.

[What you need to do to prepare:]

• If your environment matches row 1 or row 4 in the table, you do not need to prepare for this change except to review your configuration based on your organization’s current requirements.
• If your environment matches row 2 or row 3, we recommend reviewing all options and choosing the configuration that best matches your organization’s requirements before September 15, 2024.
  

Learn more: Deploying Outlook for iOS and Android app configuration settings in Exchange Online | Microsoft Learn

This rollout will happen automatically by the specified date with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.