Microsoft 365 Help / Staff guides
Teams Desktop App

Make a voice or video call

Call a colleague directly from a Teams chat.

Before you start

  • Sign in to your work Teams account.
  • Connect your headset and check your microphone.

Follow these steps

0 of 7 steps done
  1. Open Chat

    Select Chat in the left navigation. If you already have a conversation with the person, open it.

  2. Find the person

    For a new conversation, choose New message (the pencil or compose icon). Type their name in To and select the correct work account from the list.

  3. Check who you are about to call

    Read the name at the top of the chat. If you opened a group chat, a call may ring several people. Start a one-to-one chat for a private call.

  4. Choose voice or video

    At the top of the chat, select the phone icon for an audio call or the camera icon for a video call. Some layouts put these choices under a call menu.

  5. Wait for the answer

    Let it ring. If the person does not answer, end the call and send a short chat message asking when they are available.

  6. Use the call controls

    Use Mic to mute or unmute and Camera to turn your video on or off. If you need to show a document, select Share and choose only the intended window.

  7. End the call

    Select the red hang-up button when finished. Check that the call window closes before you start another conversation.

You have finished when…

  • You have spoken to the correct person.
  • The call has ended when you hang up.

Helpful tips

  • A Teams-to-Teams internet call does not require the Teams Phone add-on.
  • Calls to ordinary landline or mobile numbers require separately configured phone services; a missing dial pad is normal for many accounts.

Something looks different?

Call buttons are missing

Check that this is an ordinary chat and your account is allowed to make calls. Very large group chats cannot be called this way.

The person cannot hear me

Click Mic to unmute, then check the selected microphone and physical headset mute switch.

Microsoft help & further guidance

Menu names can change as Microsoft updates the apps. These official pages include further instructions.

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