(Updated) Moderation approvals now available across Outlook apps

Updated September 14, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

Introduction

We are updating message Moderation in Exchange Online to streamline how moderators approve or reject messages. These updates improve usability and allow moderators to act from any Outlook client, aligning with customer feedback for simpler, faster approval workflows.

This message is associated with Roadmap ID 492743.

When this will happen:

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): Rollout will begin in early March 2026 and complete by mid-October 2026 (previously late August)

How this affects your organization:

Who is affected:

• Organizations using message moderation in Exchange Online.
• Moderators approving messages in Outlook for Windows, Mac, web, and mobile.

What will happen:

• Moderation approval messages will now use Actionable Messages adaptive cards, allowing inline approve/reject actions in all Outlook clients.
• Moderators will typically receive a single approval request per moderated message, even when messages are bifurcated or delivered to large distribution lists.
• Some scenarios may still produce multiple approval messages; each message must be approved for delivery.
• Dual-mode approvals (legacy voting buttons and new adaptive cards) will be supported until July 31, 2026.
• After July 31, 2026, only the Actionable Messages adaptive card experience will be supported, and moderators must have their mailbox hosted in Microsoft 365.

What you can do to prepare:

• Ensure Actionable Messages is enabled (enabled by default). If previously disabled, re-enable using PowerShell:

Set-OrganizationConfig -SmtpActionableMessagesEnabled $true
Set-OrganizationConfig -ConnectorsActionableMessagesEnabled $true

• Update internal documentation to reflect availability of approvals across all Outlook clients.
• Notify helpdesk and support staff about the updated approval workflow.

Learn more:

• Streamlined Moderation Approvals, Now in All Outlook Clients | Microsoft Community Hub
• Manage message approval in Exchange Online | Microsoft Learn
• Bifurcation and its technicalities with implications | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations:

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.