You can add Teams to Outlook through the Teams app itself or directly in Outlook's settings

Microsoft Teams integrates with Outlook in two main ways: you can open Teams as a tab within Outlook, or you can add the Teams app to your Outlook sidebar so it appears alongside your mail and calendar. The method you use depends on whether you want Teams always visible or only when you need it. Both approaches use the same underlying Teams account — you do not need to sign in separately.

The fastest route is usually through Outlook's app launcher, which takes about 30 seconds. If you want Teams permanently pinned to your sidebar, that takes a few more clicks but is still straightforward. The exact steps differ slightly between Outlook on the web, Outlook for Windows, and Outlook for Mac, so this guide covers all three.

Key Takeaways

  • In Outlook on the web, click the app launcher icon (grid of nine dots) at the top left and select Teams to open it in a new tab.
  • To pin Teams permanently to your Outlook sidebar, right-click the Teams icon in the app launcher and select "Pin to sidebar" or use the three-dot menu next to the Teams icon.
  • In Outlook for Windows and Mac, you can add Teams through Settings > Apps > Get more apps, then search for and install the Teams app.
  • Once Teams is added, you can switch between Teams and your mail without signing out, because both use the same Microsoft account.

Adding Teams in Outlook on the web

Open Outlook in your web browser and look for the app launcher icon in the top left corner — it looks like a grid of nine dots. Click it, and a menu will appear showing all available Microsoft apps. Scroll down until you see Teams, then click it. Teams will open in a new tab within your browser, and you will remain signed in to your Outlook account automatically.

If you want Teams to stay visible in your Outlook sidebar instead of opening in a separate tab, find the Teams icon in the app launcher menu, click the three dots next to it, and select "Pin to sidebar" or "Add to sidebar" (the exact wording depends on your version). Teams will then appear as a permanent icon on the left side of Outlook, below your mail and calendar folders. You can click it anytime to switch to Teams without opening a new tab.

Adding Teams in Outlook for Windows

Open Outlook and click the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu, then click "Apps" in the left sidebar. You will see a list of apps already installed in your Outlook. Click "Get more apps" at the bottom of the list.

A window will open showing available Microsoft apps. Search for "Teams" in the search box at the top. When Teams appears in the results, click it and then click "Add" or "Install". Outlook will add Teams to your app list, and it will appear in your sidebar. You can now click the Teams icon anytime to open Teams within Outlook without switching windows.

Adding Teams in Outlook for Mac

Open Outlook and click "Outlook" in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select "Preferences" from the dropdown. In the Preferences window, click "General" and then look for "Apps" or "Add-ins" (the exact label depends on your Outlook version). Click "Get more apps" or the plus icon next to the apps list.

Search for "Teams" in the search box. When you find it, click "Add" or "Install". Teams will be added to your Outlook sidebar. If you do not see Teams appear immediately, close and reopen Outlook. The Teams icon should then be visible in your sidebar, ready to use.

Pinning Teams to your sidebar for quick access

Once Teams is installed, you can control where it appears and how easy it is to reach. In Outlook on the web, Teams appears in the app launcher by default. To make it always visible, use the three-dot menu next to the Teams icon and select "Pin to sidebar". In Outlook for Windows and Mac, Teams usually appears in the sidebar automatically after installation, but you can right-click the Teams icon and select "Pin" to lock it in place so it does not move if you rearrange other apps.

If you want to remove Teams from your sidebar later, right-click the Teams icon and select "Unpin" or "Remove from sidebar". This does not uninstall Teams — it just hides the icon. You can always add it back through the app launcher or settings.

What to do if Teams does not appear after adding it

If you have installed Teams but do not see it in your sidebar or app launcher, try closing and reopening Outlook completely. Sometimes the app list takes a moment to refresh. If Teams still does not appear, sign out of Outlook, close the browser or application, and sign back in. This forces Outlook to reload all your installed apps.

If you are using Outlook for Windows or Mac and Teams still does not show up, check that you are using a recent version of Outlook. Open Outlook, click "Help" in the menu bar, and select "Check for Updates". Install any available updates and restart Outlook. Older versions of Outlook sometimes have trouble displaying newly installed apps until they are updated.

Switching between Teams and Outlook without signing in again

Once Teams is added to Outlook, you can click between Teams and your mail without signing out. Your Microsoft account remains active across both, so you stay logged in to everything. If you click the Teams icon and it asks you to sign in, it usually means your session has expired. Sign in with the same email address you use for Outlook, and you will be back in Teams with access to all your teams and channels.

If you are on a shared computer and want to sign out of both Outlook and Teams at once, click your profile picture in the top right corner of either application and select "Sign out". This will log you out of both Outlook and Teams. The next person who opens Outlook will need to sign in with their own account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate Teams account to use Teams in Outlook?

No. Teams uses the same Microsoft account as Outlook. If you are already signed into Outlook, you are already signed into Teams. You do not need to create a separate account or sign in twice.

Can I remove Teams from Outlook after adding it?

Yes. Right-click the Teams icon in your sidebar and select "Unpin" or "Remove from sidebar". This hides the icon but does not uninstall Teams. You can add it back anytime through the app launcher or settings. If you want to fully uninstall Teams, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Teams, and click "Uninstall".

Will adding Teams to Outlook slow down my email?

No. Teams runs as a separate app within Outlook and does not affect how fast your mail loads or syncs. You can have Teams open or closed without any impact on your email performance.

What if I use Outlook on multiple devices?

You will need to add Teams to each device separately. The process is the same on each one — use the app launcher or settings to install Teams. Your Teams account and messages will be the same across all devices because they are tied to your Microsoft account, but the sidebar setup is specific to each device.

Can I use Teams and Outlook at the same time?

Yes. You can have Teams open in one tab or window and Outlook open in another, or you can use Teams within the Outlook sidebar while reading your mail. Both work at the same time without any conflict.