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copilot on android phone

Nigel Eadon-Clarke 20 Reputation points
2026-05-14T22:47:16.4+00:00

When I get a word document as an attachment to an E-Mail I cannot open it and only get offered a Copilot summary. how do I open a word document attchment please

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Android
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Answer accepted by question author

Kayece Jan Mae Amizola 14,920 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-14T23:32:29.1133333+00:00

Hi,

Make sure that you have installed the Microsoft Word app on your phone. If it is already installed and you still have the same issue after the recommended troubleshooting, please try using the Microsoft 365 web version or any version or device, and see if you can open the file.

If it can be opened and has been repaired, but still it cannot be opened on your Microsoft Word for Android, please try to clear the cache and data of the app, then uninstalled. Restart your device, then install the app again.

If it does not open the file on any devices, please message the sender if the sent documents were corrupted while uploading. If he can open the original file, please ask him/her to resend it or use OneDrive. It is possible that the file was corrupted.

If you need additional help, please let me know.

Stay Safe!

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-14T22:47:27.33+00:00

    On an Android phone, Word attachments can be opened directly in the Word app instead of only using Copilot.

    Try these steps:

    1. In the email app, tap the Word attachment to download it.
    2. When Android shows the "Open with" options, choose Word (or Microsoft Word) instead of Copilot.
    3. If Word is not offered, open the Microsoft Word app first, then:
      • Tap Open.
      • Choose the location where the file was saved (for example, OneDrive - Personal or your device’s Downloads folder, depending on where the mail app stored it).
      • Select the document to open it normally in Word.
    4. If the file still does not open in Word for Android, it may be in a format or contain elements that Word for Android cannot read. In that case, open it in Word for Windows, Word for the web, or Word for iOS, let Word recover the document and save a copy, then try opening that new copy again on Android.

    If Copilot is giving only a summary, that is just an additional feature; the full document can still be opened via the Word app as above.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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