The fastest way to add Teams to Outlook

Microsoft Teams appears in Outlook automatically if you are using Outlook on the web or the newer Outlook desktop app (version 16.0.15629 or later on Windows, or the new Outlook for Mac). If it is not showing, you may need to enable it in your settings or sign in with the same account you use for Teams. On older Outlook desktop versions, Teams does not integrate directly — you will need to open Teams as a separate application or use Outlook on the web instead.

The simplest path is to check whether Teams is already there. Open Outlook, look for the Teams icon in the left sidebar (it looks like a purple speech bubble with a hashtag), and click it. If you do not see it, the steps below will show you how to turn it on or what to do if you are using an older version.

Key Takeaways

  • Teams integrates automatically in Outlook on the web and the new Outlook desktop app, but requires the right version and account sign-in.
  • If Teams does not appear in your Outlook sidebar, check your settings under "General" or "Preferences" to enable the Teams integration.
  • Older Outlook desktop versions do not support Teams integration, so you will need to use Outlook on the web or open Teams separately.
  • Make sure you are signed into Outlook with the same Microsoft account that you use for Teams.

Enabling Teams in Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web includes Teams by default, but the feature may be hidden if your organization has disabled it or if you have not signed in with the correct account. To turn it on, click the gear icon in the top right corner of Outlook, then select "View all Outlook settings."

In the settings panel, click "General" on the left side. Scroll down until you find the option labeled "Teams integration" or "Show Teams in Outlook." Toggle this switch to "On." Close the settings panel and refresh your browser. The Teams icon should now appear in your left sidebar, below your mailbox folders.

Enabling Teams in the new Outlook desktop app

The new Outlook for Windows and Mac (sometimes called "Outlook for Windows" or "new Outlook") includes Teams integration as a built-in feature. If you do not see the Teams icon in the left sidebar, first check that you are using version 16.0.15629 or later. Click "File" in the top menu, then "Office Account" or "About Outlook," and look for the version number.

If your version is current and Teams still does not appear, go to "File" and select "Settings." Click "General" in the left panel, then look for "Teams integration" or "Show Teams." Turn this setting on. You may need to restart Outlook for the change to take effect. If you are still not seeing Teams after restarting, make sure you are signed in with the same Microsoft account you use for Teams — click your profile picture in the top right corner to check.

What to do if you are using older Outlook desktop versions

Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, and older versions of Outlook for Microsoft 365 do not support Teams integration in the sidebar. These versions were released before Teams integration was added to Outlook. If you are using one of these versions, you have two options: switch to Outlook on the web, or open Teams as a separate application on your computer.

To check which version you have, open Outlook and click "File," then "Office Account" or "About Outlook." If the version number is lower than 16.0.15629, you are using an older version. The easiest upgrade path is to use Outlook on the web by going to outlook.office.com in your browser — Teams will be available there without any additional steps.

Signing in with the correct account

Teams integration only works if you are signed into Outlook with the same Microsoft account that you use for Teams. If you have multiple Microsoft accounts, make sure you are using the right one. Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Outlook and check which account is currently active.

If you need to switch accounts, click "Sign out" and then sign back in with the account that has Teams. After signing in, wait a few moments for Outlook to sync with your Teams account, then check the sidebar again. If Teams still does not appear, sign out completely, close Outlook, wait 30 seconds, and then open Outlook and sign in again.

Troubleshooting Teams that will not appear

If you have enabled Teams integration, you are using a supported version of Outlook, and you are signed in with the correct account but Teams still does not show up, try clearing your browser cache (if using Outlook on the web) or restarting Outlook (if using the desktop app). Close the application completely, wait 30 seconds, and open it again.

If you are using Outlook on the web and Teams still does not appear after a refresh, check whether your organization has disabled Teams integration through group policy or admin settings. Contact your IT department or organization administrator to confirm that Teams integration is turned on for your account. Some organizations restrict which features are available to certain users or departments.

Using Teams from within Outlook

Once Teams appears in your Outlook sidebar, you can click the Teams icon to see your chats, channels, and calls without leaving Outlook. Click on any chat or channel to open it in a panel on the right side of your screen. You can read messages, reply, and start calls directly from Outlook without switching to the Teams application.

The Teams panel in Outlook shows the same conversations and channels as the Teams app itself — they are synced in real time. If you receive a message in Teams while you are in Outlook, you will see a notification, and the unread count will update in the sidebar. You can also search for Teams conversations using the search bar at the top of Outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Teams not showing in my Outlook sidebar even though I enabled it?

Check that you are using a supported version of Outlook (version 16.0.15629 or later for the desktop app, or Outlook on the web). Verify that you are signed in with the same Microsoft account you use for Teams. If you are using an older Outlook desktop version, Teams integration is not available — use Outlook on the web instead.

Can I use Teams in Outlook 2019 or Outlook 2016?

No, Teams integration is not available in Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, or other older versions. These versions were released before Teams integration was added. Switch to Outlook on the web or the new Outlook desktop app to use Teams within Outlook.

Do I need to install Teams separately if it is in Outlook?

No, you do not need to install Teams separately. The Teams integration in Outlook lets you access your chats and channels without opening the Teams app. However, some features like video calls may work better if you have the Teams app installed as well.

Will my Teams messages sync if I read them in Outlook instead of the Teams app?

Yes, Teams and Outlook are synced in real time. If you read a message in Outlook, it will show as read in Teams, and vice versa. Your chat history and notifications stay consistent across both applications.

What if my organization disabled Teams integration?

Your IT department or organization administrator controls whether Teams integration is available. Contact them to request that Teams integration be turned on for your account. They can enable it through admin settings, and it should appear in your Outlook sidebar within a few minutes.