How to download and install Microsoft Teams on Mac
Microsoft Teams for Mac is free to download and comes from Microsoft’s website as one installer package for every Mac. Here is how to install it, which account to sign in with and which permissions to give before your first meeting.
Microsoft Teams
- macOS 14 or later
- One file for Apple Silicon and Intel
- Free. Business plans are paid
Or the installer straight from the developer’s server:
The links go to the developer’s website (microsoft.com, go.microsoft.com). MacWashing is not affiliated with the developer and keeps no installers.
Open Terminal (Applications › Utilities) and run:
brew install --cask microsoft-teamsHomebrew downloads the app from the developer’s server, checks the file and puts the app in Applications.
No Homebrew yet? How to install Homebrew: one command from brew.sh.
Before you download
One Teams app works with both kinds of accounts: a work or school account from your organization, and a personal Microsoft account for the free Microsoft Teams. The same installer fits Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and it needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Teams for Mac is not in the Mac App Store: get it only from microsoft.com. If your company installs Teams for you, use its copy instead.
How to install Microsoft Teams
- Open
MicrosoftTeams.pkgin your Downloads folder.
- Click Continue, then Install.
- Enter your Mac password and click Install Software.
- When the installer says it is done, click Close. Microsoft Teams appears in Applications.
- Open Teams and sign in with your work, school or personal Microsoft account.
The package also installs Microsoft AutoUpdate, which keeps Teams up to date, and the Teams audio driver that lets you share your Mac’s sound in a meeting.
What to set up after installing
macOS asks for each permission the first time Teams needs it. If you clicked Don’t Allow by mistake, turn it on in System Settings › Privacy & Security:
- Camera and Microphone: turn on Microsoft Teams.
- Screen & System Audio Recording: turn on Microsoft Teams to share your screen, then quit and reopen Teams.
- Opening at login. Teams starts with your Mac. To stop it, turn it off in Teams’ settings, under General, or in System Settings › General › Login Items.
- Cache. Teams keeps a cache of chats, images and meeting data that grows over time.
- The installer. Move the
.pkgfrom Downloads to the Trash once Teams runs.
If Teams won’t install or open
- The installer stops with an error. Download the
.pkgagain from Microsoft’s website and make sure you are signed in to macOS as an administrator. - Others can’t see your screen. Check Screen & System Audio Recording above and restart Teams after turning it on.
- Teams won’t start on an older Mac. Check your macOS in About This Mac: current versions need macOS 14 or later.
- Teams hangs or keeps signing you out. Remove it completely, with its cache and helpers, and install it again: see how to uninstall Microsoft Teams on Mac.
Alternatives to Microsoft Teams
Keep your Mac tidy
Teams collects caches and logs as you use it. System Junk in MacWashing finds the caches apps build up, and the Uninstaller removes Teams with its helpers if you no longer need it.
Free trial · macOS 14 or later
Questions and answers
Is Microsoft Teams free on Mac?
Yes. The app is free, and with a personal Microsoft account you can use the free Microsoft Teams for chats and meetings. Work and school accounts come with your organization’s paid plan.
Is Microsoft Teams in the Mac App Store?
No. On a Mac, Teams comes from Microsoft’s website or with your company’s software. You can also install it with Homebrew.
Do I need to install Teams to join a meeting?
No. A meeting link can open in a web browser. The app gives better video, screen sharing and notifications.