Getting the App & Joining a Meeting
On iPhone or iPad, you need the Teams app. No browser option here — but the good news is the app is free and takes about 30 seconds to install.
Install Microsoft Teams
Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad, search for "Microsoft Teams", and tap Get. If your iPhone uses Face ID or Touch ID, it'll ask you to authenticate — double-click the side button or rest your finger on the home button.
Once installed, you'll see the Teams icon on your Home Screen — purple square with a white "T".
Download from the App Store Only!
Always download Microsoft Teams from the official Apple App Store. Don't tap random "Get Teams" download links from emails, text messages, or search results — that's a common way scammers slip fake apps onto iPhones. The real app shows "Microsoft Corporation" as the developer.
Want to get better at spotting fake downloads and scam emails? Check out our
Stay Safe Online microcourse.
Joining a Meeting
There are three ways to join a Teams meeting on your phone. All three get you to the same place.
Way 1: Tap a Link from an Email
Someone emailed you a meeting invite? Just tap the link in the email. The Teams app opens, you allow permissions, and you're in.
Way 2: Tap a Link from a Text Message
Got a meeting link by text? Same thing — tap it and the Teams app opens. A link is a link, whether it comes by email, text, WhatsApp, or carrier pigeon.
Way 3: Enter a Meeting ID and Passcode
Sometimes you don't have a clickable link. Maybe someone read you the meeting info over the phone, or it's printed on a flyer. No problem.
- Open the Teams app on your phone
- Tap the Calendar tab at the bottom
- Tap the video camera icon (Meet) in the upper-right corner
- Tap "Join with a meeting ID"
- Type in the Meeting ID (the number from the invite)
- Type in the Passcode
- Tap "Join Meeting"
Where Do I Find the Meeting ID and Passcode?
They're at the bottom of every Teams meeting invitation — below the clickable link. They're labeled "Meeting ID" and "Passcode." If someone is giving them to you over the phone, just ask them to read those two things slowly.
Once You're In (All Three Ways)
No matter how you joined, the next steps are the same:
- When iOS asks for camera and microphone access, tap "Allow" on each pop-up. (Teams can't show you on screen or pick up your voice without these.)
- Type your name if you don't have an account
- Check your camera and microphone on the preview screen
- Tap "Join now"
- Wait in the lobby if needed — the host will let you in
Skits' Tip
The very first time you open Teams, iOS will ask you to allow camera and microphone access. Say yes to both. You'll see "Teams Would Like to Access the Microphone" (and the same for the Camera). Tap "Allow" on each. If you say no, nobody will be able to see or hear you — and fixing it later means going to Settings > Teams. Just allow it up front and save yourself the headache.
When Teams is using your microphone, you'll see an orange dot at the top-right of your iPhone or iPad screen. When it's using your camera, the dot is green. That's iOS's built-in privacy indicator — a handy way to confirm Teams actually has access.
Don't panic if you end up in a waiting room! That's normal. The host just has to tap a button to let you in. Sit tight.
Optional: Want to See It in Action? (2 minutes)
I made a quick walkthrough video showing you exactly how to join a Teams meeting on your phone. It's totally optional — you can skip it and come back later, or watch it now. Your call.
🎬 Jerry's Teams walkthrough video coming soon
A personal, step-by-step screen recording showing you exactly how to join a Teams call on your phone.
Meeting Controls — Your Mobile Toolbar
Okay, you're in the meeting. Now what? On your phone or tablet, the toolbar sits at the bottom of your screen. Tap the screen once if you don't see it — it hides itself after a few seconds. Here's what each button does.
This is roughly what the Teams mobile toolbar looks like at the bottom of your screen. Yours might look slightly different — that's okay.
The Quick Rundown:
- Mute (Microphone) — Your best friend. Tap it to mute yourself when you're not talking. You know that person in every meeting with the dog barking or the TV blaring? Don't be that person.
- Camera — Turns your video on and off. Your phone's front camera is what Teams uses. If you want to flip to the back camera (to show someone something), look in the "More" menu.
- Chat — Opens a text chat panel. Great for dropping a link or saying "I can't hear you!" without interrupting everyone.
- Reactions / Raise Hand — Lets you raise a virtual hand so the host knows you want to speak, or send a thumbs up, clap, or heart without saying a word.
- More (...) — This is the "everything else" button. Tap it to find screen sharing, speaker mode, turn on captions, switch cameras, and other settings. If you can't find something, it's probably hiding in here.
- Hang Up (the red one) — Ends the call for YOU. Tap this when you're done. Always use this — don't just swipe the app away.
Skits' Tip
If the toolbar disappears, just tap anywhere on the screen and it'll come back. It hides to give you a bigger view of the meeting, but it's always one tap away.
Quiz 2: Put It in Order
You just got a text with a Teams meeting link. Put these steps in the right order for joining on your phone. Tap each one in the order you'd do it — first tap gets a "1," second gets a "2," and so on.
Put these steps in the right order for joining a Teams meeting on your phone.
Check your camera and mic on the preview screen
Tap the meeting link in your text or email
Tap "Join now"
The Teams app opens automatically
Wait in the lobby if needed — the host will let you in
Allow camera and microphone permissions when prompted