Android Users Can Now Open Microsoft Office Files Without Login

Android users can now access Microsoft Office files via shared links without needing to log into a Microsoft account, a feature previously available only on iOS devices.

The update, rolled out in Office version 16.0.18827.20066 and above, allows recipients to open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents on Android smartphones instantly by tapping a shared link. This removes the earlier requirement to sign into a Microsoft account to merely view shared Office documents.

Editing and commenting capabilities still require sign-in, as actions must be traceable to individual users. A notification will appear prompting login if such features are accessed.

The change, confirmed in Microsoft’s recent blog post and first reported by Android Authority, simplifies document access for Android users, aligning the platform with the iOS experience introduced months earlier.

Despite Android holding a larger global market share in mobile operating systems, Microsoft had delayed extending the anonymous viewing feature to Android. Its introduction aims to streamline workflows, particularly for users who simply need to view files without interacting with them.

Senders still need to be logged into their Microsoft accounts to generate shareable file links. However, recipients can now open these files directly—no credentials needed, provided no edits or annotations are made.