Co-pilot automatically opens my downloads on my phone

Rosita Dozier 0 Reputation points
2026-09-14T23:30:33.4433333+00:00

Co-pilot automatically opens my downloads instead of giving me the option to say one time only . I need to know how to fix it so that it goes back to the original setting of giving me an option.

Microsoft Copilot | Other
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-14T23:30:50.42+00:00

    If the issue is in the Copilot mobile app on Android, the supported workaround is to stop opening the file from Copilot and open it from the dedicated app instead.

    1. Install the separate Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and OneDrive apps from Google Play.
    2. When a file is downloaded, choose Download or Save to device.
    3. Open Word or Excel directly.
    4. Go to Open > This device > Downloads.
    5. If a cloud copy is needed later, use Save As and choose This device or OneDrive.

    This avoids Copilot automatically opening the download and uses the app that normally handles that file type.

    If the behavior continues in the updated Copilot app, report it from the app:

    1. Select the ellipsis (…) in the upper-right corner.
    2. Select Send feedback.
    3. Select Report a problem.
    4. Include when it started, the phone model, Android version, and a screenshot.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Rosita Dozier 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-14T23:35:56.0866667+00:00

    when I download from my email, it give me an option to download, when I download, it goes to automatically to copilot It used to give me an option,,how do I return it to the original setting

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  3. Rosita Dozier 0 Reputation points
    2026-09-14T23:39:01.08+00:00

    When I open an attachment from my phone, it give me an option to download, but is is now automatically going to co-pilot to open, and I don't want that. I need to return it to the original settings

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  4. Thomas4-N 21,845 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-17T09:03:57.9733333+00:00

    Hello Rosita Dozier,

    Are you using an Android phone or an iPhone? That matters here because the way the phone chooses a default app for downloaded files is different between the two.

    Microsoft has recently changed how files are handled in the Copilot mobile experience, including redirecting some files to their dedicated Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneDrive apps.

    If you let me know whether this is Android or iPhone, and what type of attachment you are opening, such as PDF, Word, or Excel, I can give you the specific steps to try to restore the previous app-opening behavior.

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