While a majority of Hoxhunt add-in's new features and functionality can be introduced without updating the add-in's manifest.xml, some features or changes need changes to be done to the manifest.xml itself.
The manifest isn't automatically updated, so updating Hoxhunt add-in must be done manually by Microsoft 365 Admin via Microsoft 365 Admin Center or via Exchange Admin Center.
Updating add-in to new version
A) If Hoxhunt was deployed via Centralized Deployment
If you deployed Hoxhunt add-in via Centralized Deployment, you can update Hoxhunt add-in as follows:
Settings > Integrated apps > Hoxhunt Report > Update add-in
Enter the manifest.xml URL: https://officejs.hoxhunt.com/api/v1/manifest/default/manifest.xml
If you haven’t given consent to Graph API permissions before, a view with permissions and capabilities will be shown. Review them, grant permissions and proceed.
If adding from URL fails, please download the manifest.xml to Desktop and use Add from file... option instead. You may still receive an error but the update works this time.
IMPORTANT: If your organization has deployed a customized Hoxhunt add-in (e.g. custom logo), please see section C) below as you need to choose the correct manifest.xml.
NOTE: It may take 48 to 72 hours for desktop Outlook clients to detect the updated add-in, as its performed as a background task. You can verify update process worked more quickly via Web Outlook.
B) If Hoxhunt was deployed via Exchange Admin Center
If you deployed Hoxhunt add-in via Exchange Admin Center (organization > apps/add-ins) or via New Exchange Admin Center (Organization > Add-ins), there is no Update option available.
You first need to remove Hoxhunt add-in and then re-deploy it. Please note this will temporarily remove the add-in from end users and may create some service disruption.
C) My organization deployed a customised Hoxhunt button
If your organization has deployed a customised Hoxhunt add-in (e.g. custom logo), replace the manifest URL with your custom manifest URL, and then proceed with either option A) or B) depending on your original deployment method.
Frequently asked questions
When should we update Hoxhunt add-in to a newer version?
Most new features in Hoxhunt can be enabled and disabled without updating the add-in itself. However, sometimes Microsoft introduces new capabilities to their Office add-in framework. These capabilities can only be taken advantage by Hoxhunt by updating the add-in manifest.xml.
For example, version 1.0.0.7 introduced support for Microsoft Graph API which is currently required by a mandatory new authentication method NAA. A change of this magnitude required a change in the manifest.xml. It is a security measure from Microsoft that ensures that new significant features cannot be introduced to Office add-ins silently.
You can check our release notes for new features. If the feature needs Hoxhunt add-in version update, it is mentioned explicitly in the article. Here's the update history for Hoxhunt Outlook add-in.
How can we check the version number of currently installed Hoxhunt Outlook add-in?
Your Exchange Admins can check the deployed add-in version. Regular Hoxhunt user cannot check the add-in's version number.
There are multiple ways to check your Hoxhunt add-in's current version.
Option #1:
Attempt to update the add-in. The update will fail if you already have the latest version deployed.
Option #2:
If you have deployed Hoxhunt add-in through on-premise Exchange Admin Center, you can check the add-in's details for the version number under Exchange Admin Center > organization > add-ins > Hoxhunt Report.
If you have deployed Hoxhunt add-in through Centralized Deployment in M365, you can check the add-in's version details from older deployment section under Settings > Add-ins (direct link here).
NOTE: Add-in's version number is not visible via Services > Integrated apps. This is a limitation by Microsoft.
NOTE: When updating the add-in, please use Settings > Integrated apps instead.
Option #3:
Use Powershell cmdlets Get-App or Get-OrganizationAddin to reveal the version number.
Can we check the changes you have done? We may also have some security concerns over what type of permissions Hoxhunt add-in is asking for.
Yes. The manifest.xml used to install and update Hoxhunt add-in can be opened and examined in any text editor.
For more information about how to read Outlook add-in manifest.xml, security and privacy concerns, please refer to following articles form Microsoft:
Privacy, permissions and security for Outlook add-ins
Understanding Outlook add-in permissions
My company has a customized Hoxhunt add-in. We recently changed the logo of the button, but after the update process, New Outlook for Mac is still showing the old logo.
New Outlook for Mac has a really persistent caching. Here’s Microsoft’s instructions on how to reset Outlook cache:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/add-ins/testing/clear-cache#clear-the-cache-manually