Teams FAQ
Check here for answers to frequently asked questions about Microsoft Teams
How do I get access to Teams?
Teams is available to all staff and students.
I am having a problem getting into Teams, what should I do?
The first step is identifying if the problem is with your Teams application on your computer or something outside of your control.
- Using an incognito window in a web browser (Chrome is CTRL, SHIFT, N) login to teams on the web. https://teams.microsoft.com/
- If you can login to Teams successfully on the web then the issue is with the device you are using and the first thing you should try is clearing the Teams cache using these instructions.
- If you couldn't login successfully (and you are currently enrolled in a paper or fully employed at the University) then contact either the Staff Service Centre or Student Contact Centre for support. Note that if you are a future student or future staff member you will only receive access to Microsoft 365 (including Teams) on the day you start. Casual staff who are not also students do not automatically receive Microsoft 365 and Teams - it must be requested by their manager. Once you leave the University you will lose access to Microsoft 365.
How do I create a team?
- You cannot use the "Join or create a team button".
- Go to MyHub in the top left of Teams and follow these instructions.
How do I join a team using a code?
- Go to Join or create a team at the bottom of the Teams client. Note that you cannot create a team this way - you must use MyHub if you want to create a team.
- Select Join a team with a code.
- Enter the code that the team owner provided.
- Click Join team.
How do I customise my notifications?
How do I change my status in Teams or add a custom status message?
A custom status message can be used to provide information before someone tries to message you in Chat. It can be set to automatically expire after a period of time that you specify or be permanent. It will appear for all people - you can't specify a different message for different people.
How do I know which conversations include me?
If you’re worried about knowing when someone in a conversation needs your attention, just keep an eye on your Activity feed. There, you’ll get a notification whenever someone:@mentions you (you’ll also see your @mentions in the conversation, where you can spot them easily).@mentions teams and channels you belong to.Replies to conversations you’re part of.Replies to your replies.
Which browsers are supported for Teams online?
The Microsoft Teams web version works in the following desktop browsers:
- Microsoft Edge (latest plus 2 previous versions)
- Chrome (latest plus 2 previous versions)
- Firefox (latest plus 2 previous versions)
- Safari 14+
How do I block someone in Teams?
While you can't block someone, you can mute them easily. Muting means that you will receive no notifications when they try to contact you.
- Go to the Chat tab.
- For the user you want to mute, click the More options menu (... dot menu).
- Choose Mute.
I'm a student and I can't create a Teams meeting
Teams meetings require you to have an @auckland.ac.nz email address which has an ongoing cost to the University and is only provided to staff. There is no ability to enable this for a student.
I can't add Planner (Tasks) to a private channel, but I can to a standard channel
One of the limitations of private channels is that you cannot add a planner board to it using the tasks app. Your only way to work around this is to find the web link for the planner board (using the web version of planner) and then add a website tab at the top of the team to it.
I tried to add an external email address to a shared channel but it didn't work
This will not work, despite Microsoft documentation and instructions. If you are a staff member and need to work in Microsoft Teams with people who do not have a University of Auckland login, please raise a request with the Staff Service Centre for a Microsoft Teams Guest user. This option is not available for students.