Yes! You can use Microsoft Teams on a mobile device.
When you’re on the move, it doesn’t make sense if you’re restricted to finding somewhere to sit down and connect your laptop.
Many job roles rely on the mobility of Teams to remain productive and get their work done. Think about all those salespeople making visits up and down the country. Or those on-call engineers attending site to remedy hardware problems.
So, yes, you can very much use Microsoft Teams on your mobile device.
In fact, there are loads of ways to do this. In this blog post, we’re going to show you all the methods of using Teams on your mobile device.
Let’s get straight to it.
1 – Download the Teams mobile app
The Teams mobile app gives you access to *nearly* everything you get on a desktop or laptop. Some people prefer the Teams so much that they only use the mobile app.
Instructions
On your mobile device, head to your app store and search “Microsoft Teams”.
There should only be one option, identifiable by the Teams logo. But, for the sake of absolute clarity, it looks like this…
Once downloaded, log in using the same credentials as you would on your laptop or desktop. Now, you can start to use Teams on the go.
Available features
Most basic collaboration features are available on the mobile app. Exceptions apply for large meeting functionality, premium features, etc.
You get access to chats (including group chats), starting and creating meetings, and external calling (if you’re a Teams Phone subscriber). The gap between desktop and mobile app feature parity is closing all the time. Keep an eye on the monthly Teams updates for new functionality being released.
Restrictions
There really aren’t many restrictions when it comes to the Teams mobile app.
Obviously, typing long messages takes a bit longer because you’re not armed with a keyboard.
When working on documents directly from Teams, you can still view any files that are stored in channels. The only difference is that Teams will prompt you to download the Office 365 app to edit these. This is ideal for small tweaks when on the move but isn’t as efficient as editing Word documents or PowerPoint slides on a computer.
It’s not advisable to host large meetings on your phone. But joining meetings when you have no other option works just fine as a stop gap solution.
2 – Access Teams via your web browser
The Teams web app doesn’t work on a mobile phone. But it’s a good option to be aware of when you’re traveling. If you have access to a shared computer, you can use the Teams web app to get more efficient access than tapping away on your mobile phone.
The Teams web app is available in a number of browsers:
- Chrome
- Explorer
- Firefox
- Safari
On the Teams web app, you get access to the majority of functionality available in the desktop app. In fact, I use the web app exclusively on my laptop to save storage space. I never have to install the app to use any features.
Joining meetings, sending messages, and managing files remains the similar as your laptop/desktop experience.
Instructions
- Type in https://teams.microsoft.com in the web browser
- Log in with your Microsoft credentials
- Carry out your tasks as usual
Available features
Like using the mobile app, there are some limitations when using the web app. For higher-end features, hosting large scale meetings, and taking advantage of the breadth of the AI portfolio, you do need to be in the desktop app for a best experience.
However, for temporary access when on the move, the web app provides a solid replacement.
Restrictions
There are no documented restrictions compared to using the desktop app. Usability feels a little different, given the nature of being embedded inside a browser.
3 – Use Callroute Go to make your mobile number your Teams number
If your priority when on the go is making and receiving calls using your Teams number (as opposed to your personal number), you’ve got two options.
- Log into the mobile app and make calls.
- Use your native mobile dialer and attach your Teams number to it
Especially useful in the case of no WiFi or poor 4G/5G coverage, Callroute Go allows you to use regular cell service to make calls from your Teams number.
Sure, you could just use your mobile number. But that comes with all sorts of compliance and business politics issues. Ultimately, to make business phone calls, you should be using your business number.
Instructions
Provisioning mobile users is a three-step process:
- Activate new users online
- Scan a QR code or download an eSIM
- Start using Callroute Go
It’s a simple as that. Once you’ve signed up to Callroute Go, assuming your users already have a Teams Phone license, it’s just like activating a new SIM card.
Your mobile device now has two phone numbers (your personal number and your Teams number).
Available features
The main sell of Callroute Go is that you can make business calls without relying on WiFi, 4G, or 5G to be able to log in and use the Teams mobile app.
In the case of frontline workers, it’s vital they remain connected to the rest of your business, regardless of location or circumstance.
Here’s a classic use case that might resonate…
On-call engineers must be available to respond to a call from an agent call group at any time.
Without Callroute Go, it means that engineer must have Teams notifications enabled on their mobile, so when a call comes in, it can ring and alert them.
The engineer must also have their phone on ring rather than silent.
This means that Teams will alert your engineer whenever they receive an out of hours chat message or team chat and they will be constantly woken up or interrupted.
This isn’t just the fear of missing out kicking in. We’re talking about the potential to miss a customer query, escalated complaint, or an emergency response situation. Even one hour on silent could mean the potential for a worst-case scenario to emerge.
Instead of allowing your engineer to be exposed to all sorts of notifications and encourage sleep deprivation, use Callroute Go to:
- Not have the Teams app so all chat messages never arrive and only the calls to the “on-call queue” will come through.
- Set all app notifications to silent in sleep hours.
- Change primary SIM overnight so that only the Go SIM is connected; removing the SMS or calls to personal devices.
Paints a much nicer picture, doesn’t it?
👉 Sign up for 14 days free of Callroute Go here
Restrictions
Users must have a Teams Phone license to use Callroute Go.
Cellular service is the only genuine restriction when it comes to using Callroute Go. If there is zero cell service, there is physically no way to make a call.
4 – Use Teams Phone Mobile
Teams Phone Mobile is the fixed mobile convergence solution from Microsoft.
The concept is similar to the Callroute Go tool mentioned above.
Here are the differences between the two offerings:
| Feature / Requirement | Callroute Go | Teams Phone Mobile |
| Teams app-less calling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile and Teams client call answering | ✅ | ✅ |
| Teams voicemail | ✅ | ✅ |
| Teams Call Queue answering | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile GSM call answering | ✅ | ✅ |
| Native mobile dialer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Compatible with Teams reporting and compliance features | ✅ | ✅ |
| Use business landline direct dial numbers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Compatible with all Operator Connect providers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Compatible with Direct Routing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Use your existing business line minutes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Send/Receive SMS | ❌ | ✅ |
| Escalate mobile GSM call to Teams Meeting or transfer to another Teams user | ❌ | ✅ |
| Use mobile number in Teams client | ❌ | ✅ |
Conclusion: Teams is extremely mobile-friendly
So there we have it! There are many ways to use Microsoft Teams on a mobile device.
If messages and online meetings are your main concern, the Teams mobile app is available in your app directory. Just download it, log in, and get near-desktop-level access.
If calling is your primary area of interest, check out Callroute Go or Teams Phone Mobile.
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