Microsoft Teams FAQ

This FAQ will only cover a handful of common issues. To view a more comprehensive FAQ, please visit this page.

1. How do I get Microsoft Teams?
   • If you work for a DSS-supported department, you already have Teams installed on your machine. If you don't see it under the Start menu (or the /Applications menu on macOS), please open a ticket.
   • If you are on a non-managed computer, or if you’d like to install the mobile version of Teams, you can download and install Teams here.
2. How do I sign in to Microsoft Teams?
   
   • Sign in with your Office 365 credentials. Make sure your username is the correct format: UCInetID@ad.uci.edu
   • If you forgot your password, you can reset it here.
3. What's the difference between a Team and a Channel?
   • Teams are made up of channels, which are the conversations you have with your teammates. Each channel is dedicated to a specific topic, department, or project.
   • Channels are where the work actually gets done—where text, audio, and video conversations open to the whole team happen, where files are shared, and where apps are added.
4. How do I show a hidden channel and enable notifications?
   
   • There may be hidden channels that are not visible by default. To add a channel so that it remains in your view, select hidden channels, and select the Show option next to the channel you want to see.
   • By default, any messages sent in this channel will simply show the channel name in bold, but will not send a notification unless you were mentioned in a message. To ensure that you are aware of new messages in the channel, select More Options (the 3 dots next to the channel) and select Follow this channel.
5. How do I start a private chat with one or more individuals?
   
   1. Select the New chat button (this is to the left of the Search box at the top of the app). Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+N (or Command+N on macOS).
   2. Type the name of the person(s) you want to chat with in the To field. Optional: If you are sending to multiple people, you can also name this group at this step by selecting the Down arrow at the right side of the To box and specifying a group name.
   3. Type your message and press Enter or select the Send button.
   4. Need to add someone to a chat that's already going on? Just select Add people button in the upper-right corner of the chat.
6. What does it mean to be @mentioned?
   • An @mention is like a gentle tap on your shoulder—a way to get your attention in a channel conversation or chat. When someone @mentions you, you get a notification in your Activity feed, and you also see a number next to the channel or chat you were @mentioned in. Select the notification to go directly to the point in the conversation where they mentioned you.
   • If you ever feel a little overwhelmed by all your @mentions, you can always filter your Activity feed to help sort them out.
   • To @mention someone, just type @ in the compose box and select their name from the menu that appears.
7. I see a lot of stuff in my Activity feed. Can I filter the feed?
   • Yes. Select the Filter button to show only certain types of messages such as unread messages, @mentions, replies, and likes.