check before: 2025-11-01
Product:
Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Teams, Windows
Platform:
Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
In development
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Teams now allows users in certain small and medium business tenants to chat with anyone via email without requiring the recipient to have a Teams account, joining as a guest instead. This feature, enabled by default and governed by existing policies, rolled out in late 2025 with general availability in May 2026.
Details:
Updated February 4, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction]
Teams users in tenants with open collaboration policies have long been able to start a chat with anyone who has an email address. However, recipients without a Teams account were previously asked to sign up for one before being able to collaborate. We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams for certain tenants (see 'Who is affected' below) that allows these recipients to join the chat as a guest- no account needed, and as long as it is allowed by the tenant's existing policy configuration.
This feature will be available across Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android platforms.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: Rollout for users with the aforementioned licenses begun in early November 2025 and was completed in mid-November 2025
General Availability (Worldwide): May 2026 (previously February)
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release
Created:
2025-11-01
updated:
2026-02-05
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft Teams now allows users to communicate with external contacts who don't have a Teams account, enhancing collaboration for small and medium businesses while maintaining organizational security and policies.
Direct effects for Operations**
Increased Security Risks
Allowing external users to join chats as guests without prior preparation may expose sensitive organizational information to unauthorized individuals, leading to potential data breaches.
- roles: IT Security Manager, Compliance Officer
- references: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3531230/5-ways-to-improve-your-teams-security.html, https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/06/15/5-steps-to-secure-your-microsoft-teams-environment/
User Confusion and Miscommunication
Users may not be aware of the new guest chat feature, leading to confusion about who can access chats and potential miscommunication with external parties.
- roles: End User, Team Leader
- references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/03/01/the-top-5-microsoft-teams-features-you-need-to-know/?sh=4c1c1c5e7b8e, https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-teams-tips-and-tricks
Increased Support Requests
The introduction of guest chat may lead to a surge in support requests from users unfamiliar with the feature, straining IT support resources.
- roles: Helpdesk Technician, IT Support Manager
- references: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-manage-microsoft-teams-support-requests/, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-handle-microsoft-teams-support-requests/
Policy Compliance Issues
Organizations may face compliance issues if guest access policies are not properly configured, leading to potential violations of data protection regulations.
- roles: Compliance Officer, Data Protection Officer
- references: https://www.privacy-regulation.eu/en/, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/trustcenter/compliance/gdpr
Performance Issues
The influx of external users in chats may lead to performance degradation in Teams, affecting user experience and productivity.
- roles: IT Operations Manager, Network Administrator
- references: https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-teams-performance-issues-how-to-fix-them, https://www.windowscentral.com/how-fix-microsoft-teams-performance-issues
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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Data Protection**
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IT Security**
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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
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DPIA Draft**
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explanation for non-techies**
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2026-02-05 | MC Messages | Updated December 12, 2025: We have added additional content clarifying who is impacted by this feature. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] Teams users in tenants with open collaboration policies have long been able to start a chat with anyone who has an email address. However, recipients without a Teams account were previously asked to sign up for one before being able to collaborate. We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams for certain tenants (see 'Who is affected' below) that allows these recipients to join the chat as a guest- no account needed, and as long as it is allowed by the tenant's existing policy configuration. This feature will be available across Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout for users with the aforementioned licenses begun in early November 2025 and was completed in mid-November 2025 General Availability (Worldwide): February 2026 | Updated February 4, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] Teams users in tenants with open collaboration policies have long been able to start a chat with anyone who has an email address. However, recipients without a Teams account were previously asked to sign up for one before being able to collaborate. We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams for certain tenants (see 'Who is affected' below) that allows these recipients to join the chat as a guest- no account needed, and as long as it is allowed by the tenant's existing policy configuration. This feature will be available across Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout for users with the aforementioned licenses begun in early November 2025 and was completed in mid-November 2025 General Availability (Worldwide): May 2026 (previously February) |
| 2026-02-05 | MC Platforms | Android, Desktop, iOS, Linux, Mac | Android, Desktop, iOS, Mac, Web |
| 2026-02-05 | MC End Time | 03/31/2026 10:00:00 | 2026-06-30T10:00:00Z |
| 2026-02-05 | MC Last Updated | 12/12/2025 23:12:22 | 2026-02-04T18:12:00Z |
| 2026-02-05 | MC Summary | Microsoft Teams now allows users in certain small and medium business tenants to chat with anyone via email without requiring the recipient to have a Teams account, joining as a guest if allowed by tenant policies. This feature, enabled by default, rolled out in late 2025 and is generally available worldwide in February 2026. | Microsoft Teams now allows users in certain small and medium business tenants to chat with anyone via email without requiring the recipient to have a Teams account, joining as a guest instead. This feature, enabled by default and governed by existing policies, rolled out in late 2025 with general availability in May 2026. |
| 2025-12-18 | MC Messages | Updated November 12, 2025: We have added clarification for customers impacted by this feature and updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams that allows users to start a chat with anyone who has an email address-even if they're not currently using Teams. The recipient will receive an email invitation to join the chat session as a guest, enabling seamless communication and collaboration. This update simplifies external engagement and supports flexible work scenarios. This capability will be available to small and medium business customers with a Teams Essentials, Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium license. This feature will be available across Android, Desktop, iOS, Linux, and Mac platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout will begin in early November 2025 and is expected to complete by mid-November 2025. General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in January 2026. | Updated December 12, 2025: We have added additional content clarifying who is impacted by this feature. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] Teams users in tenants with open collaboration policies have long been able to start a chat with anyone who has an email address. However, recipients without a Teams account were previously asked to sign up for one before being able to collaborate. We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams for certain tenants (see 'Who is affected' below) that allows these recipients to join the chat as a guest- no account needed, and as long as it is allowed by the tenant's existing policy configuration. This feature will be available across Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout for users with the aforementioned licenses begun in early November 2025 and was completed in mid-November 2025 General Availability (Worldwide): February 2026 |
| 2025-12-18 | MC How Affect | Who is affected:
All Microsoft Teams users in your organization. What will happen: Users will be able to initiate chats with any external contact using their email address. External users will receive an email invitation and can join the chat as guests. The chat experience will be governed by your organization's Entra B2B Guest policy. Chats will remain within your organization's boundary. This feature will be enabled by default. | Who is affected:
This capability is currently available only to small and medium business customers enrolled in public preview with a Teams Essentials, Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium license. It also only affects organizations with guest chat enabled and that do not limit guest collaboration to specific domains. Organizations without users enrolled in public preview or without users with these licenses may still see this post even if they are not affected. What will happen for those who are affected: After Teams users start a chat with someone who is not on Teams, the recipient will receive an email inviting them to join the chat as a guest. Only Teams users in your organization can start the chat, as users without Teams accounts cannot initiate chats. Chats will remain within your organization's boundary. This feature is enabled by default but will be governed by your organization's Entra B2B Guest policies and Teams Admin Center Guest Access policies. It will not override any existing policy configurations. |
| 2025-12-18 | MC Last Updated | 11/14/2025 18:42:10 | 2025-12-12T23:12:22Z |
| 2025-12-18 | MC End Time | 02/28/2026 09:00:00 | 2026-03-31T10:00:00Z |
| 2025-12-18 | MC Summary | Microsoft Teams will enable users to chat with anyone via email, even non-Teams users, who join as guests. This feature, enabled by default for eligible licenses, rolls out starting November 2025 and globally in January 2026. Organizations can disable it via TeamsMessagingPolicy if needed. | Microsoft Teams now allows users in certain small and medium business tenants to chat with anyone via email without requiring the recipient to have a Teams account, joining as a guest if allowed by tenant policies. This feature, enabled by default, rolled out in late 2025 and is generally available worldwide in February 2026. |
| 2025-11-15 | MC Messages | Updated November 7, 2025: We have added clarification for customers impacted by this feature. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams that allows users to start a chat with anyone who has an email address-even if they're not currently using Teams. The recipient will receive an email invitation to join the chat session as a guest, enabling seamless communication and collaboration. This update simplifies external engagement and supports flexible work scenarios. This capability will be available to small and medium business customers with a Teams Essentials, Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium license. This feature will be available across Android, Desktop, iOS, Linux, and Mac platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout will begin in early November 2025 and is expected to complete by mid-November 2025. General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in January 2026. | Updated November 12, 2025: We have added clarification for customers impacted by this feature and updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams that allows users to start a chat with anyone who has an email address-even if they're not currently using Teams. The recipient will receive an email invitation to join the chat session as a guest, enabling seamless communication and collaboration. This update simplifies external engagement and supports flexible work scenarios. This capability will be available to small and medium business customers with a Teams Essentials, Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium license. This feature will be available across Android, Desktop, iOS, Linux, and Mac platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout will begin in early November 2025 and is expected to complete by mid-November 2025. General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in January 2026. |
| 2025-11-15 | MC Last Updated | 11/08/2025 00:26:54 | 2025-11-14T18:42:10Z |
| 2025-11-15 | MC prepare | Update internal documentation to reflect this new capability.
Inform helpdesk and support teams about the change. To disable the feature, set the UseB2BInvitesToAddExternalUsers attribute of TeamsMessagingPolicy to false. Set-CsTeamsMessagingPolicy documentation here. [Compliance considerations:] No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization. https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoftteams/set-csteamsmessagingpolicy?view=teams-ps#-useb2binvitestoaddexternalusers https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=513271 | Update internal documentation to reflect this new capability.
Inform helpdesk and support teams about the change. Review the documentation here: Chat with anyone not using Teams - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn To disable the feature, set the UseB2BInvitesToAddExternalUsers attribute of TeamsMessagingPolicy to false. Set-CsTeamsMessagingPolicy documentation here. [Compliance considerations:] No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/chat-with-people-not-using-teams https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoftteams/set-csteamsmessagingpolicy?view=teams-ps#-useb2binvitestoaddexternalusers https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=513271 |
| 2025-11-15 | MC Summary | Microsoft Teams will allow users to chat with anyone via email, even non-Teams users, who join as guests. Available to small and medium businesses, this feature rolls out from November 2025 and is enabled by default. Organizations can disable it via TeamsMessagingPolicy settings. | Microsoft Teams will enable users to chat with anyone via email, even non-Teams users, who join as guests. This feature, enabled by default for eligible licenses, rolls out starting November 2025 and globally in January 2026. Organizations can disable it via TeamsMessagingPolicy if needed. |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Messages | [Introduction]
We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams that allows users to start a chat with anyone who has an email address-even if they're not currently using Teams. The recipient will receive an email invitation to join the chat session as a guest, enabling seamless communication and collaboration. This update simplifies external engagement and supports flexible work scenarios. This feature will be available across Android, Desktop, iOS, Linux, and Mac platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout will begin in early November 2025 and is expected to complete by mid-November 2025. General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in January 2026. | Updated November 7, 2025: We have added clarification for customers impacted by this feature. Thank you for your patience.
[Introduction] We're introducing a new capability in Microsoft Teams that allows users to start a chat with anyone who has an email address-even if they're not currently using Teams. The recipient will receive an email invitation to join the chat session as a guest, enabling seamless communication and collaboration. This update simplifies external engagement and supports flexible work scenarios. This capability will be available to small and medium business customers with a Teams Essentials, Business Basic, Business Standard, or Business Premium license. This feature will be available across Android, Desktop, iOS, Linux, and Mac platforms. This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 513271. [When this will happen:] Targeted Release: Rollout will begin in early November 2025 and is expected to complete by mid-November 2025. General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in January 2026. |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Title | Microsoft Teams: Chat with anyone with an email address | (Updated) Microsoft Teams: Chat with anyone with an email address |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Last Updated | 11/01/2025 00:21:10 | 2025-11-08T00:26:54Z |
| 2025-11-08 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2025-11-08 | MC Summary | Microsoft Teams will allow users to chat with anyone via email, even non-Teams users, who join as guests. This feature, enabled by default, rolls out starting November 2025 and supports external communication within organizational policies. Admins can disable it via TeamsMessagingPolicy settings. | Microsoft Teams will allow users to chat with anyone via email, even non-Teams users, who join as guests. Available to small and medium businesses, this feature rolls out from November 2025 and is enabled by default. Organizations can disable it via TeamsMessagingPolicy settings. |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
