Learn how to use Microsoft Teams on mobile.

You might be using Microsoft Teams on your computer to join meetings remotely and collaborate on projects with colleagues. But Teams is also available as a mobile app for on-the-go work. Available for iPhones, iPads and Android devices, the Teams app lets you set up or join a video or audio call, chat with people and share files.

See: Video Teleconferencing Dos and Don’ts (Free PDF) (Tech Republic)

If you don’t already have the Teams app for your phone or tablet, download it here. Apple’s App Store For an iPhone or iPad, or from Google Play For Android device. The iOS/iPadOS and Android versions have the same basic functionality, although there are some minor layout differences. If you already have an account and access to Teams, either through your organization or as an individual, sign in to the app.

How to chat on Microsoft Teams on your mobile device

One thing you may want to do is communicate with a team member. Tap the “Chat” icon on the bottom toolbar and then type the name or email address of the person you want to chat with. Select the person’s name and type your message. You can then continue the conversation back and forth. Press the “+” icon to the left of the message box to attach a photo, GIF, or document. You can also tap the smiley face icon to send an emoji, the camera icon to send a photo, or the microphone icon to record and send a voice note.

Can I create a team on Microsoft Teams mobile?

Yes! Go to the Chat or Teams page in the app and select “More options” in the upper-right corner. A screen will appear below that includes a “Create New Team +” button. Tap it and choose a name, description, privacy level and data type for the team. You can then invite people or contact groups to join the team.

If you can’t do this, your IT administrator has disabled team creation for you. Contact them to enable it.

How to make calls through Teams on your mobile device

You can call contacts from one or more teams, either via audio or video. From the “Chat” tab, select the chat or person you want to call or start a new chat with. Then, tap the video camera or phone icon to make a video or audio-only call, respectively. If you start a call from a group chat, you’ll also be asked if you intend to call everyone in the group.

On an iPhone or iPad, you can also use the “Calls” tab in the bottom panel to make a call. If the person you want to call already appears in the call history, tap the “Call” icon in the “Details” section on the right side of the screen. Otherwise, type their name in the dialing pad and tap the phone icon to make an audio-only call or the camera icon to make a video call.

From the In-Call toolbar, you can enable or disable video, microphone, or speaker. You can also put the call on hold or transfer it to someone else. For a video call, you can blur the background or add a background image from the “Background Effects” option under the “More” menu.

How to schedule a meeting in Teams on your mobile device

To schedule a meeting, tap the “Calendar” tab, then tap the plus icon at the bottom right and the “Schedule Meeting” button. You can then add your meeting details such as title, participants, data and time, location and description. You can also tap “Share with channel” to make it a channel meeting and adjust privacy settings. Tap “Done” to schedule the meeting and send invitations to selected participants.

How to share files in Teams on your mobile device

Then, you can upload and share files with the team to enable instant review and real-time document collaboration. Go to the Teams tab and open the channel where you want to share a file, tap the “Files” tab at the top of the channel, and then tap the paperclip icon. Choose a file from your phone or cloud storage to upload, and the file will be shared in the “Files” section, visible to all channel members. You can also share files in Chat, as described in the “How to Chat” section of this article.

Another way to share files is to use the “Files” button in the “More” tab on an iOS device and the “Files” button in the navigation bar on Android. Find the file you want to share from the correct cloud-based service, tap the ellipsis, and tap “Share.” Select the “Chat” or “Channels” tab, depending on how you want to share the file, then type the desired chat or channel name. If you want, you can add a message before hitting the send arrow to share.

Other features to check when using Microsoft Teams on your phone

• Screen Sharing: Share your screen during calls or meetings by tapping the three dots and selecting “Share.” It is ideal for demonstrating presentations or initiatives.
• Push Notifications: Receive alerts on your phone for messages, mentions and calls. Customize them through settings and stay updated on the go.
• Search and Command Bar: Use the search bar at the top to quickly find messages, files, or people. You can also use commands like “/call” or “/files” for quick actions.
• Dark Mode: Enable Dark Mode from “Settings” for better visibility in low-light conditions and reduced eye strain.
• Offline Mode: You can view chats and access files even when you’re offline. This is great for working in limited contact areas.

While the mobile app doesn’t offer the full functionality of the desktop app, it should be a handy resource when you’re out and about.