Microsoft Teams Online: Browser Version for Business

Accessing Teams in the Browser

To use Microsoft Teams online without installing the app, go to teams.microsoft.com in your browser. Sign in with your Microsoft 365 work email address and complete any MFA steps. Teams loads in the browser tab and behaves much like the desktop application — channels, chats, calendar and meetings are all accessible.

You can use the browser version on any device that has a supported browser: Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Linux machines, and tablets. It's particularly useful when you're using a device that isn't your own, or in organisations that restrict software installation on managed devices.

Browser Compatibility

Teams web works best on Microsoft Edge (Chromium) and Google Chrome. These browsers provide the most complete feature set and the best video call performance.

Mozilla Firefox supports Teams but with some limitations — screen sharing options may be reduced, and some meeting features behave differently. Firefox is usable for most day-to-day tasks but isn't ideal for video-heavy sessions.

Safari on Mac supports Teams web with basic meeting functionality, though some features are limited. If you're a regular Teams user on Mac, the desktop app is significantly better than Safari.

Internet Explorer is not supported and has been retired. If anyone in your organisation is still using IE, that's a security concern in its own right.

What Features Are Available on Teams Web?

The browser version of Teams covers the essential features for day-to-day use:

• Chat — one-to-one and group messaging, with full message history and search
• Channels — full access to team channels, posts and file tabs
• Meetings — join and host meetings with audio, video and screen sharing
• Calendar — schedule meetings and view your calendar (linked with Outlook)
• Files — access and edit files in OneDrive and SharePoint through the Office web apps
• Notifications — browser notifications work when Teams is open in a tab

Limitations Compared to the Desktop App

The browser version works well but there are some gaps worth knowing about:

Teams Phone Calling

Some PSTN calling features (making and receiving calls via Teams Phone) may be limited in the browser. For reliable Teams Phone use, the desktop app is recommended. Internal Teams-to-Teams calls generally work fine via browser.

Background Effects

Background blur and custom backgrounds are available in Chrome and Edge but may not be available in other browsers. Performance of these effects in the browser is generally lower than the desktop app.

Notifications When Teams Tab is Closed

Browser notifications only work when the Teams tab is open. If you close the tab, you won't receive notifications. The desktop app runs as a background process and delivers notifications regardless of what's open. For staff who need to be consistently reachable on Teams, the desktop app is more reliable.

Screen Sharing Options

Screen sharing in browsers may be limited to sharing the entire screen rather than individual application windows, depending on the browser and operating system. This is fine for most use cases but restricts the ability to share a specific window while keeping other content private.

Offline Access

The browser version requires an internet connection and doesn't cache content for offline access. The desktop app can display cached messages and files when offline, though sending messages requires connectivity.

When to Use Teams Online vs the Desktop App

Use the browser version when:

• You're on a device where you can't or don't want to install software
• You're using a Chromebook or Linux machine
• You need to access Teams temporarily on a borrowed device
• You want to stay signed in to a second Teams account in a separate browser

Use the desktop app when:

• You use Teams every day as your primary communication tool
• You need reliable Teams Phone calling
• You want background notifications and always-on presence
• You use background effects regularly in video meetings

For most staff in a UK business environment, the desktop app provides a materially better day-to-day experience. The web version is a practical fallback when the app isn't available.

AMVIA deploys and manages Microsoft Teams across Windows and Mac devices for UK businesses. If you need Teams configured properly — from the initial rollout to ongoing licence management — our Microsoft 365 team can help.