The basic steps to sign in
To log in to Outlook, go to outlook.com in your web browser or open the Outlook app on your phone or computer. Enter your Microsoft account email address (which may end in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or another domain) and your password, then select Sign in. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to complete a second verification step — usually entering a code sent to your phone or approving the sign-in from another device.
The exact steps vary slightly depending on whether you are signing in on the web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. Each platform shows the same login fields but may prompt you differently for security verification.
Key Takeaways
- Visit outlook.com or open the Outlook app, enter your Microsoft account email and password, and select Sign in.
- If two-factor authentication is enabled, you will receive a code or approval prompt on a trusted device before access is granted.
- Clearing your browser cache or reinstalling the app can fix login problems when you see error messages or get stuck on the password screen.
- If you forget your password, use the "Can't access your account" link on the login page to verify your identity and reset it.
- Signing out after each session, especially on shared computers, prevents others from reading your email.
Logging in on the web
Open any web browser and navigate to outlook.com. On the login page, type your full email address in the first field. This is the email address associated with your Microsoft account — it may be an Outlook address, a Hotmail address, a Gmail address you linked to Microsoft, or a work email if your organization uses Microsoft 365.
Click or tap the Next button. On the next screen, enter your password and select Sign in again. If your account has two-factor authentication enabled, Microsoft will send a code to your phone or ask you to approve the sign-in from a device you have already signed in on. Enter the code or approve the request to complete login.
Once you are signed in, your inbox appears. You can stay logged in by leaving the browser tab open, or you can close it and return to outlook.com later — as long as you do not clear your browser cookies, you will remain signed in.
Logging in on Windows or Mac
Download the Outlook app from the Microsoft Store (Windows) or the Mac App Store, then open it. The app will show a login screen with an email field. Enter your Microsoft account email address and select Continue. On the password screen, type your password and select Sign in.
If two-factor authentication is on, you will see a prompt asking you to verify your identity. This may be a code sent to your phone, a notification on another device, or a security question. Complete this step to finish signing in.
After you sign in once, the Outlook app will remember your account. You can add multiple email accounts to the same app by selecting File (Windows) or Outlook (Mac) in the menu, then Add Account, and repeating the login process for each one.
Logging in on iPhone or Android
Open the Outlook app on your phone. If this is your first time opening it, you will see a login screen. Enter your email address and select Continue. Type your password and select Sign in.
If two-factor authentication is enabled, you will receive a notification or code on your phone. Approve the sign-in or enter the code to complete the process. After you sign in, the app will sync your email, calendar, and contacts automatically.
On both iPhone and Android, you can add multiple accounts by opening the app menu (three horizontal lines on Android, or the profile icon on iPhone), selecting Settings, and choosing Add Account. Repeat the login steps for each account you want to add.
What to do if you cannot sign in
If you see an error message or get stuck on the login screen, first try clearing your browser cache (if on the web) or restarting the app (if on your phone or computer). Close Outlook completely, wait a few seconds, and open it again. This fixes temporary connection problems.
If you still cannot sign in, check that you are using the correct email address. Microsoft accounts can have multiple email addresses attached, so try any other email addresses you may have used to create or recover your account. Make sure Caps Lock is off and that you are typing your password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive.
If you see a message saying your account is locked or suspicious activity was detected, Microsoft may have flagged your login as unusual. Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, and follow the steps to verify your identity and unlock your account. This usually involves entering a code sent to your phone or email.
Resetting a forgotten password
On the outlook.com login page, select Can't access your account? below the password field. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address again, then show you options to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by text message, email, or security questions you set up previously.
Enter the code or answer the questions to prove you own the account. Microsoft will then let you create a new password. Make your new password at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols for better security. After you set your new password, return to the login page and sign in with it.
Staying secure while logging in
Always sign in at outlook.com or through the official Outlook app — never enter your password on a link sent in an email or a website that looks similar to Outlook but has a slightly different address. Scammers create fake login pages to steal passwords.
If you are signing in on a shared computer, always select Sign out when you are done. On the web, look for your profile picture or initials in the top right corner, click it, and select Sign out. In the app, open the menu and select Sign out. Do not just close the browser or app — that leaves your account open for the next person to use.
Turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already. Go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, and choose Advanced security options. Add a phone number or authenticator app so that even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign in without a code only you can receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Outlook keep asking me to sign in again?
If Outlook logs you out frequently, your browser may be set to clear cookies when you close it, or your account may have suspicious activity flagged. Check your browser settings to allow cookies for outlook.com. If the problem continues, go to account.microsoft.com and review your recent sign-in activity to see if someone else is accessing your account.
Can I use the same password for Outlook and other websites?
You can, but it is not recommended. If one website is hacked and your password is stolen, someone could use that same password to access your Outlook account and your email. Use a unique password for Outlook and consider using a password manager to keep track of different passwords for different sites.
What if I do not remember which email address I used for my Microsoft account?
Try the email addresses you use most often. If none of them work, go to account.microsoft.com and select Can't access your account? You can search for your account by phone number or recovery email if you set one up. Microsoft will help you find which email address is linked to your account.
Do I need to sign in every time I open Outlook?
No. On the web, you stay signed in as long as you do not clear your cookies. In the app on your phone or computer, you stay signed in until you manually sign out. If you want to sign out automatically for security, you can do that in your account settings, but most people stay signed in for convenience.
Can I sign in to Outlook on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can be signed in on your computer, phone, and tablet simultaneously. Each device will sync your email, calendar, and contacts. If you want to sign out on one device without affecting the others, just sign out on that device — the others will remain signed in.