Microsoft Teams now lets you use apps in meetings with external users
It’s now easier to interact with people outside of your organization within Microsoft Teams meetings.
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What you need to know
Microsoft Teams has a new feature that lets you use apps within meetings with people from outside of your organization. The feature can be used to enhance meetings and improve interactivity from participants. Support for apps within meetings with external users is rolling out now, according to theMicrosoft 365 roadmap(viaOnMSFT).
The description in the Microsoft 365 roadmap is short and to the point:
We will now support apps added by native users (hosts) in meeting chats with external users (users from other domains).
Microsoft Teams has almost 1,000 apps that allow you to integrate additional features and other services with Teams. Many of those apps can be used within meetings, such as polling apps, scheduling apps, and Microsoft Forms.
Within a meeting that has people from outside of an organization, hosts can install, delete, or update shared apps that can be used. External users can interact with the apps but cannot manage which apps are available within the meeting.
Asupport page from Microsoftbreaks down how to manage external access in Teams meetings.
It appears that people are asking Microsoft to make it easier to communicate with external users. Microsoft rolled out the option toadd people from outside of an organization to group chatsearlier this month.
Microsoft Teams continues to gain new features that allow you to interact with people outside of your organization. You can now use apps within meetings with external users.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
