How to Enable Guest Access in Microsoft Teams (Updated 2026)
To successfully enable Guest Access in Microsoft Teams, you must configure settings in three different admin areas: Microsoft 365 Admin Center, Teams Admin Center, and Microsoft Entra ID. All three must be enabled for guest access to work properly.
1. Enable Guest Access in Microsoft 365 Admin Center
- Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
- Navigate to Settings > Org Settings.
- Select Microsoft Teams under the Services list.
- Turn Allow guest access to ON.
- Save the configuration and wait 15–30 minutes for propagation.
This step is required before guest access can function in Teams. [1](https://ucadmin.info/microsoft-teams-guest-use-guest-access-know-its-limits/)
2. Enable Guest Access in Teams Admin Center
- Open Teams Admin Center (admin.teams.microsoft.com).
- Go to Org-wide settings > Guest access.
- Toggle Allow guest access in Teams to ON.
- Enable calling, messaging, and meeting permissions as needed for guests.
- Save the settings.
Microsoft confirms these settings must be enabled for guests to participate in Teams. [2](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-access)
3. Configure Guest Access in Microsoft Entra ID
- Open the Microsoft Entra Admin Center.
- Go to Identity > External Identities > External Collaboration Settings.
- Ensure guest access is allowed at the tenant level.
- Adjust invitation permissions (e.g., allow only admins or specific roles to invite guests).
Entra Collaboration Settings must permit guests, or Teams guest access will fail. [3](https://ucadmin.info/microsoft-teams-guest-use-guest-access-know-its-limits/)
4. Add a Guest User to a Team
- Open the Microsoft Teams app.
- Select a team and click Manage team.
- Choose Add member.
- Enter the guest’s email address (Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.).
- The guest receives an invitation email and appears with (Guest) next to their name.
Microsoft notes that guests must be added to at least one team before their guest experience activates. [2](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-access)
Important Notes
- Inviting a guest creates a Guest account in Microsoft Entra ID automatically. [2](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-access)
- Guests can join using business or consumer emails (Outlook, Gmail, etc.). [2](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-access)
- Guest experience is intentionally limited compared to full members. [2](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/guest-access)
