Why "show page preview" does NOT work after app is completley closed on iPhone?

JT Goodman 0 Reputation points
2026-10-25T11:16:07.9133333+00:00

GREAT APP, except after an update several months ago, the "show page preview" stopped working after completely closing put the app on iPhone (which means swiping the app closed). The button is still toggled ON in settings but does NOT "show page preview". The button can be toggled OFF, then toggled ON and it works until the app is closed out again, as mentioned above. I've been using the app since 2018 and this had not been an issue. The page preview is a big reason why I used the app, to quick reference previous workouts. Can you please check into what happened? It was an immediate disconnect after an update a couple months back.

Thank you.

JTG

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For home | iOS
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-25T11:16:53.68+00:00

    The repeated loss of Show Page Previews after OneNote is force-closed should be reported from OneNote as a reproducible iPhone bug; Microsoft does not currently publish a specific fix for this behavior on its known-issues page.

    Report the regression

    Since toggling the setting off and on already restores previews only temporarily, repeating that workaround will not resolve the underlying state-retention problem.

    1. Open OneNote on the iPhone.
    2. Select the profile icon in the upper-left corner.
    3. Tap Help & Feedback, then submit the problem. This is Microsoft’s documented feedback route for OneNote on iPhone.^1^
    4. Include:
      • OneNote version from the App Store/version information.
      • iPhone model and iOS version.
      • The approximate OneNote update after which it began.
      • Exact reproduction sequence: enable Show Page Previews → confirm previews appear → swipe OneNote away → reopen it → setting remains on, but previews disappear.
      • A screen recording or before/after screenshots, if possible. Microsoft recommends including screenshots and allowing follow-up contact to make reports more actionable.^2^

    The current Microsoft page for recent OneNote issues does not list this exact page-preview problem, so reporting it directly is the appropriate escalation path.^3^

    Safe checks

    • In the App Store, install any available OneNote update.
    • In Settings → General → Software Update, install an available iOS update.
    • If other Microsoft Office apps are installed, update those as well. Microsoft recommends keeping OneNote and the other Office iOS apps current.^3^

    The newer OneNote Home experience, including note thumbnails and larger previews, is available from build 16.81 onward and can be rolled out or changed gradually.^4^ That does not establish the cause here, but the build number should be included in the report.

    Avoid resetting unless Microsoft Support requests it

    A full Reset OneNote is not a documented remedy for this preview-setting symptom. It can remove offline notebook copies, and unsynced changes can be lost.^5^

    If support ultimately recommends a reset or reinstall:

    1. Verify every recent change appears in OneNote on the web or another synced device.
    2. Only then reset or reinstall OneNote.
    3. Sign in again and allow notebooks to finish downloading before testing previews.

    Until a fixed build is released, toggling Show Page Previews after each force-close remains the only demonstrated workaround in this case. Avoid routinely swiping OneNote away unless it becomes unresponsive.

    References

    1. Use Capture in Copilot Notebooks on iPhone and Windows | Microsoft Support
    2. How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365? | Microsoft Support
    3. Fixes or workarounds for recent issues in OneNote for Mac, iPhone, and iPad | Microsoft Support
    4. New Home Experience in OneNote for iPhone | Microsoft Support
    5. Reset Microsoft OneNote between users on a shared iPad or iPhone | Microsoft Support
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