How to Join a Team in Microsoft Teams: Links, Codes, and Invites

To join a team in Microsoft Teams, sign in with the correct account, then use the owner's team link, enter a join code, or search for the team. If you're outside the organization, ask the owner for a guest invitation instead.

This guide covers work and school teams. Joining a meeting is a different process: a meeting invitation or meeting ID does not make you a team member. The examples below show desktop controls; your layout may vary.

Start with the right account

Use the work or school account associated with the team. If your organization created an account for you, get the sign-in details from IT and complete any password-change or verification prompts. Signing in alone does not guarantee that someone has added you to the intended team.

Already using Teams with another account? Select your profile picture and choose the appropriate account or organization. If it isn't listed, select Add another account. Microsoft explains these options in its account and organization guide.

Creating a personal Microsoft account does not automatically grant access to an employer's or school's teams. Confirm the expected email address with the owner before setting up another account.

Join a team with a code

1. Open Chat, or Teams if you use the separate teams view. Above the chats and channels list, open New items and select Join team.
2. Find Join a team with a code. Paste the owner's code into Enter join code, then select Add team.

   

A team code is different from a meeting ID or passcode. For private teams, follow any approval prompt. Microsoft's link and code instructions describes the current controls and private-team approval behavior.

Join using a team link

1. Open the team link your owner shared in email or chat. If prompted to sign in, choose the account associated with that organization.

   

2. Continue to the team. If it is private, submit the access request shown on screen and wait for the owner to approve it.

   

A shared link is not automatic permission. If you are an external guest, use the owner's guest invitation rather than a general team link or join code.

Find and join a team by name

Don't have a link or code? You may be able to find the team inside your organization.

1. Open New items > Join team from your chats and channels list. In Type to search, enter the team's name or topic.

   

2. Point to the matching team tile and select Join team. Public teams can be joined immediately; private teams require the owner's approval.

   

A private team may be absent from search because its owner hasn't enabled discoverability. Ask the owner directly instead of repeatedly searching. Microsoft's find and join a team guide covers both discovery and membership requests.

Join another organization as a guest

External collaborators need the host organization to allow guest access. A team owner must add your email address; having an external chat with someone does not establish team membership. Business and consumer email addresses can be used for guest invitations, subject to the organization's policies.

1. Ask the owner to add your intended email address. In the welcome email, select Open Microsoft Teams and complete the invitation acceptance and sign-in prompts.

   

2. In Teams, select your profile picture and choose the host organization's guest account. Look for the team there rather than only in your home organization.

   

Microsoft's guest experience documentation explains why accepting the invitation is necessary. Access can take a few hours after a guest is added. If the owner cannot invite you, their administrator should check guest-access settings, as described in Microsoft's guest setup instructions.

If you still can't see or join the team

• Wrong account or organization: Check your profile menu, then reopen the invitation under the intended account.
• Code rejected: Copy it again without surrounding spaces and ask the owner to confirm it is the current team code.
• Private-team request pending: Contact the owner to review your request; repeated attempts do not replace approval.
• Guest invitation missing: Check your junk folder and ask the owner to verify the recipient address.
• Signed in, but no team: Ask the owner to confirm your membership and the exact team name.