MC1182004 – (Updated) Microsoft Teams: Chat with anyone with an email address

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:

513271

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 if allowed by tenant policies. This feature, enabled by default, rolled out in late 2025 and is generally available worldwide in February 2026.

Details:
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

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release

Created:
2025-11-01

updated:
2025-12-18

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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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Increased Security Risks
Allowing external users to join chats as guests may expose sensitive organizational information if proper guest access policies are not enforced, leading to potential data breaches.
   - roles: IT Security Manager, Compliance Officer
   - references: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3531230/5-security-risks-of-using-microsoft-teams.html, https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/03/02/5-security-best-practices-for-microsoft-teams/

User Confusion
Users may be confused about the new guest chat feature, leading to miscommunication and improper use of the platform, which can affect collaboration efficiency.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/03/01/the-top-5-microsoft-teams-features-you-need-to-know/?sh=4c1c1c1e7c3b, https://www.techradar.com/news/microsoft-teams-tips-and-tricks

Increased Support Tickets
The introduction of guest chat may lead to an increase in support requests from users unfamiliar with the new feature, straining IT support resources.
   - roles: Helpdesk Staff, IT Support Manager
   - references: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-manage-microsoft-teams-support-issues/, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-handle-microsoft-teams-support-issues/

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 Impact
The addition of external guests in chats may lead to performance issues or slowdowns in Teams, especially if the organization has not prepared its infrastructure for increased load.
   - roles: IT Operations Manager, Network Administrator
   - references: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-improve-microsoft-teams-performance/, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2020/03/19/optimizing-microsoft-teams-for-remote-work/

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced Collaboration with External Stakeholders
Allowing users to chat with anyone via email enhances collaboration with clients, vendors, and partners who do not have Teams accounts. This can improve communication efficiency and foster stronger relationships.
   - next-steps: Update internal communication policies to reflect this new capability and ensure teams are trained on how to utilize guest chat effectively.
   - roles: Sales, Marketing, Project Management
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/chat-with-people-not-using-teams, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=513271

Streamlined IT Support and User Training
With the introduction of guest chat capabilities, IT support can focus on providing guidance for external communications, reducing the need for extensive training on account creation for guests.
   - next-steps: Create a training module for support staff on how to assist users with the new guest chat feature and update helpdesk documentation accordingly.
   - roles: IT Support, Training and Development
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/chat-with-people-not-using-teams, https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/microsoftteams/set-csteamsmessagingpolicy?view=teams-ps#-useb2binvitestoaddexternalusers

Improved User Experience and Engagement
By allowing guests to join chats without needing a Teams account, users can engage more freely with external parties, leading to increased participation and feedback from stakeholders.
   - next-steps: Monitor user engagement metrics post-implementation and gather feedback from users to continuously improve the experience.
   - roles: Product Management, User Experience, Customer Success
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/chat-with-people-not-using-teams, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=513271

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**

Microsoft Teams has introduced a new feature that allows users to chat with anyone who has an email address, even if they don't have a Teams account. Imagine you're hosting a party and want to invite a friend who doesn't have a membership to your club. Previously, they would have needed to sign up for a membership to join the party. Now, with this new feature, they can simply enter as a guest, as long as your club's rules allow it.

This change is specifically for small and medium businesses using certain Microsoft licenses, and it works across various devices like Windows, Mac, and smartphones. The feature is turned on by default, but your organization's existing rules about guest access will still apply. This means that if your organization has policies about who can join as a guest, those rules will still be in place.

For those who are affected, when a Teams user starts a chat with someone who doesn't have a Teams account, the recipient will get an email invitation to join the chat as a guest. It's like sending a digital invitation to your party, allowing them to participate without needing to sign up for anything new.

Organizations should update their internal documents to include this new capability and inform their support teams about the change. If you prefer not to use this feature, it can be turned off by adjusting certain settings in the Teams Admin Center.

This update aims to make collaboration easier and more flexible, allowing people to connect without unnecessary barriers.