New to Microsoft Teams? Signing in seems simple, but with a work account, a personal account, MFA and sometimes several organizations, it can go wrong. In this basic guide you sign in on your computer, in the browser and on your phone, and learn what to do when signing in doesn't work.
What do you need?
- A Microsoft 365 work or school account, usually your work or school email address, such as name@company.com. You get it from your IT department or school.
- Your password. The first time you sign in you often have to change it right away.
- An MFA method, usually the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. Microsoft often asks you to set it up the first time you sign in.
Using Teams for school? Students use their school account, not a parent's personal email address. Teams explained for kids, parents and teachers shows how that works at home.
On your computer
- Install Teams via the download page or the Microsoft Store. On a work computer it's often already there.
- Open Teams and sign in with your work or school account (your full email address).
- Confirm with your password and your MFA method, such as Microsoft Authenticator.
- On a work computer managed by your organization, Teams often signs you in automatically with the account you use to sign in to Windows.
In the browser
Go to teams.microsoft.com in Edge, Chrome or another recent browser and sign in. Handy on a computer where you can't install anything, or when the app is misbehaving. In the browser you can chat, meet and open files. On a shared or public computer, always use a private window and sign out when you're done. The same account also gives you access to the rest of Microsoft 365; see sign in to Microsoft 365.
On your phone
Download Microsoft Teams from the App Store or Google Play and sign in with the same account. Your organization may ask you to also install Microsoft Authenticator or Intune Company Portal before you get access. Read Teams on iPhone and iPad for the first steps. Is the app slow after signing in? Then read make a slow Teams mobile app faster.
Multiple accounts and organizations
In the new Teams you can use multiple accounts side by side, for example your work account and a second work account, or a personal account. Select your profile picture at the top right and choose Add another account. You then switch between accounts with the same button, and you get notifications from all of them.
If you're a guest in another organization, you also see that organization in that menu. Choose it to open the teams and chats there. Menu names can differ slightly between versions.
Not working?
- Use your full work address, not just your name or an old address.
- Teams signs you in with the wrong account? Select your profile picture, add the right account, or sign out and back in.
- Seeing another organization? Select your profile picture and switch account or organization.
- Teams stuck while signing in? Clear the Teams cache and restart the app.
- The MFA prompt doesn't arrive? Check that the Authenticator app is allowed to show notifications, or use the code in the app.
- Works in the browser but not in the app? Then it's usually the app or the cache, not your account.
- A message that your device isn't compliant or has no access? Your organization only allows managed devices. Contact your IT department.
- No license or an error about your account? Ask your IT department.
And then?
Once signed in, you see Activity, Chat, Teams, Calendar and more on the left. To learn what Teams can do for you, read why use Microsoft Teams. Also set your profile picture and your status right away, so colleagues see who you are and when you're available.
Nederlandstalige versie: Aanmelden bij Microsoft Teams: basishandleiding