First things to know about calls in Microsoft Teams

Calls are a quick way to connect in Teams. You can have one-on-one calls or calls with several people. Set them up ahead of time, like in a meeting, or start them on the fly while in a chat.

Here are the first things to know about making and managing calls in Teams:

1. There are many ways to make a call in Teams

Wherever you are in Teams, you can start a call with one or more people. Here are some of the ways:

Make or answer a call from anywhere

Select either Video call Video call button or Audio call Calls button . Any call can be a video call or an audio-only call. It's always up to you.

Answering a call is simple, too. Select Video call Video call button or Audio call Calls button when prompted. When someone calls you, you'll get a notification that lets you accept or decline the call.

Turn a chat into a call

With one click, you can turn any chat into a call in Teams.

When you're in a chat, select Video call Video call button or Audio call Calls button in the upper-right corner of Teams. The person or group you're chatting with will receive a call from you.

Make a call from your call history, speed dial, voicemail, or contacts

Make a call from your call history:

Go to Calls Calls button and review the History section in the center of the screen. Select any item from the list and then choose Call in the Details section on the right side of Teams.

Make a call from your speed dial:

To access your speed dial, go to Calls Calls button and then find the Speed dial section on the right side of Teams. Add people to Speed dial by selecting Add Teams add member to chat , and then searching for their name or number.

Make a call from your voicemail:

To access your voicemail, go to History and select Voicemail in the upper-right corner. To call someone back from your voicemail, select More actions More options button next to their name > Call back Calls button from the call history list. Alternately, select Call under the contact details.

Make a call from your contacts:

Select Calls Calls button > Contacts in the upper-left of Teams. From here, call anyone by selecting Call to the right of their name.

Use the dial pad

If you have a calling plan set up, you can call anyone from Teams.

To dial a number from Teams, go to Calls Calls button , and then enter the number of the person you want to reach by using the dial pad. Then select Call .

You can also type in the name of a person or group and call them from the dial pad.

Hover over someone's profile picture

Throughout the Teams app, you'll find profile pictures of people you're connected with. Sometimes people choose avatars, or you might see their initials.

Hover over a profile picture and see options to make a video or audio call to that person. Choose one of those options and your call will begin.

Use commands

Quickly find and call people or groups with commands.

At the top of Teams, type /call in the search box and then enter a name or number. The call will begin automatically when you make your selection.

Teams-call from command box

Note: If you're in a Teams call on your mobile device, the device's screen won't turn off if you don't navigate away from the call window (or if you navigate away but come back before it turns off). If you turn off your screen during a call, you'll stay connected but the device will lock.

2. You can do a lot while on a call in Teams

During a Teams call, you can take many actions. Here are a few common scenarios:

Place a call on hold

Select More actions More options button in your call window and choose Hold. Everyone on the call will be notified that they've been put on hold. Continue your call by selecting Resume.

Transfer a call

Select More actions More options button > Transfer in your call controls. Then, type in the name of the person you want to transfer the call to and select them. To finish, select Transfer.

Consult then transfer

If you want to check in with someone before you transfer a call to them, select More actions More options button > Consult then transfer.

Under Choose a person to consult, start typing the name of the person you want to reach and select them when they appear. You can call them or consult with them over chat. When you're ready, select Transfer.

Add a delegate

You can select someone in Teams to be your delegate—to receive and make calls on your behalf. When you add a delegate, you’re sharing your phone line with them, so they can see and share all your calls.

To assign a delegate, select Settings and more Select to see more options next to your profile picture. Choose Settings > General. Under Delegation, select Manage delegates. There you'll see who you're a delegate for and add and remove your own delegates.

Share a line with a delegate

Select Settings and more Select to see more options next to your profile picture at the top of Teams and choose Settings > General. Under Delegation, select Manage delegates. Select Your delegates and type the person's name in the Add a delegate box.

3. Review your call history

Locate your call history in the center of the calls experience. There you'll see a list of past calls, including missed calls.

Go to Calls Calls button > History. From any call in the list, select More actions More options button > Call back to begin a call automatically.

You can also chat with that contact, add them to speed dial, and add them to your contacts — all from the More actions More options button menu.

4. Access your voicemail

Your voicemail is another tool for getting the most out of your calling experience in Teams.

Go to Calls Calls button > History and then select Voicemail in the upper-right. From here, you can:

Review messages and transcripts from calls
Customize call rules
Record a greeting
Call anyone who's left you a message

Call someone back from your voicemail by selecting More actions More options button next to their name > Call back Calls button from the call history list. Get there a different way by selecting Calls under the contact details on the right side of Teams.