Why Outlook for Mac Users Cannot Access Online Archive Mailbox and How to Fix It?

Overview– If you’re a new Outlook for Mac user, you may encounter the frustrating “Cannot Access Online Archive Mailbox” error. This can prevent you from accessing important emails and files. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to fix the issue and regain access to your mailbox.
The Online Archive, commonly referred to as the archive mailbox, is a location or folder where previous email messages are kept. It helps in making space in your main mailbox. In the latest version of Outlook for Mac, the Online Archive mailbox appears alongside your normal mailbox and may be accessed in the same ways as your primary inbox and folders. However, there may have been recent access troubles with the Online Archive mailbox for Outlook for Mac users. A lot of users were left searching for a fix to access their Online Archive inbox as a result of this problem.
How to Use an Online Archive Mailbox?
You need a Microsoft 365 account to fix the accessibility problem with the Online Archive mailbox in Mac Outlook. The IT department or a Microsoft 365 administrator must enable the Online Archive for you if you’ve a Microsoft 365 account. If you’re the admin, you must make sure Enable archive mailboxes are checked in the compliance centre. When you have finished the criteria, your Outlook folder pane will show your Online Archive inbox.

Method 1- Making Use of Your Online Archives
To use your Online Archive in the new Outlook for Mac, follow these few easy steps:
- Launch the new Outlook Mac.
- Find Online Archive in the Outlook folder navigation window and click it.

- You can now browse the folders and messages in your Online Archive.
Users need to be aware that the new Outlook for Mac only supports the Mail module in the Online Archive at this time. So, you won’t be able to view or access any folders, calendar items, contacts, tasks, or notes that you move to your Outlook for Windows archive from the Online Archive on your Mac.
Therefore, you may simply drag and drop mail from your primary mailbox into your Online Archive if you need to access the mail items quickly.
It should be noted that the archive and retention policies for your entire company are determined by your IT or Microsoft 365 admin. How long emails are kept in a folder before being moved to an archive is controlled by these archives and retention guidelines. But, you can visit Outlook Web App and make the necessary changes if you wish to set up your own archive and retention policy to meet your requirements.
Method 2- Use the New Outlook for Mac to Access Your Online Archive Mailbox
You need to have your mailbox on a Microsoft 365 server in order to access Online Archive mailbox with the new Mac Outlook.
You might run into problems without a Microsoft 365 server, such as the Online Archive’s “unread mail count doesn’t sync across different platforms.”
When attempting Reply, Reply All, or Forward tasks from your Online Archive, you are unable to send the email.
You must update your Office for Mac if these solutions don’t work for you because this feature is only accessible to Office Insiders using Mac OS X Version 16.54 (Build 21092901) or later. Office for Mac version 16.57 (22011101) can fix the problem with the new Outlook for Mac’s inability to access the Online Archive mailbox. However, you must install the most recent Office for Mac updates in order to upgrade Office for Mac.
Method 3- For Mac, Update and Install Microsoft Office
You must maintain your Microsoft Office program up to date. Your copy of Office is always up to date with the most recent fixes and improvements thanks to Microsoft’s AutoUpdate. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will also have access to the most recent features and resources. Follow the steps below to update and install Office for Mac:
- Open Word or Excel in an Office program, then select Help > Check for Updates from the top menu.
Run the most recent edition of the Microsoft AutoUpdate software and check again if you cannot locate or see Check for Updates.

- To help your Mac stay up-to-date, choose Automatically Keep Microsoft Apps updated to receive the most recent security updates and feature upgrades as they become available.
- At this time, to download and install all available updates, select Update.
- If you want to review the tools, editions, and installation date, click the arrow next to the Update tab. If you want to know more about the updates before installing them. When sure, select Update All or Update next to the specific applications you want to update.

From the Mac App Store, Update Office
Your apps will be updated immediately if you downloaded Office from the Mac App Store and have enabled automatic updates. However, you may also manually download the updates:
- Using the Dock or Finder, launch the Mac App Store.
- Then select Updates from the menu on the left. If you need to update each app separately, you can alternatively select Update All or the Update icon next to the app.
Bottom Lines!
The problem and solutions for new Outlook for Mac users who are having trouble accessing their Online Archive mailbox are covered in the above-mentioned blog post. Microsoft Office for Mac updates and installations can fix the issue. But, there is something important that new Outlook for Mac users should be aware of: in order to access their Online Archive mailbox, they must have their mailbox located on a Microsoft 365 server. You can use the options we’ve offered to resolve the problem.
You can download and use CubexSoft OLM Converter for Mac Tool if you wish to switch from Outlook for Mac to Microsoft 365. Mac OLM Converter will assist you in converting OLM data files into Microsoft 365, which is required to switch from Outlook for Mac to Microsoft 365. For those who want to go from Mac to Microsoft 365, CubexSoft Mac OLM File Converter Tool makes the process simple.
