Allow Teams access to camera, microphone and screen sharing in macOS

For macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11 or Monterey 12, Apple features additional security for cameras, microphones and screen sharing.

To check if you have one of these versions on your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select About This Mac. The window identifies which macOS version you have.

 About this Mac: macOS Catalina

About this Mac: macOS Big Sur
About this Mac: macOS Monterey

If you have macOS Catalina Version 10.15, Big Sur Version 11 or Monterey 12 then these instructions are for you.

If Microsoft Teams prompts you for access

Upon first time use, Microsoft Teams may request access to your camera, microphone and screen.

Follow these steps if prompted for camera, microphone or screen sharing

  1. When sharing your microphone and camera in Teams for the first time, you may see these prompts.

    Mic access

    Camera access

    Click OK in both prompts to grant access to the microphone and camera.

  2. When attempting screen sharing in Teams for the first time, you may see these prompts.

    From Microsoft Teams: "We need permission to share your screen. Go to Security & Privacy > Screen Recording to give permission and start sharing."

    Teams permission to share your screen

    From macOS: "Microsoft Teams would like to record this computer's screen."

    Record screen access


    Click either the "Security & Privacy settings" button on the Teams prompt or the "Open System Preferences" button on the macOS prompt.

  3. The Security & Privacy window opens. (You can also reach this window from Apple menu > System Preferences. Then click Security & Privacy then click Privacy tab.) In the lower left of the window, click the padlock icon to make changes. Enter your Mac's administrator username and password. 

    Click padlock

  4. The padlock unlocks and you can make changes. Check the checkbox next to Microsoft Teams to allow screen sharing and capture.

    Select Microsoft Teams

  5. You are prompted to quit Microsoft Teams and restart Teams to enact this change. If you can quit Teams now, select Quit Now.

    Quit Teams

  6. Close the Security & Privacy window. The next time you launch Microsoft Teams, you will have access in place to share and record your screen.

 

Trouble with Teams sharing your camera, microphone or screen?

Occasionally, neither Microsoft Teams nor macOS prompts to share your camera, microphone and screen. That means Teams cannot access the camera and microphone and cannot screen share. Without these permissions in place, your Mac may show a spinning wheel in Teams. You can manually set up access by following these steps.

  1. In the top-left corner of the Mac Desktop, click Apple menu then select System Preferences. 
  2. The System Preferences window appears. Click the Security & Privacy icon.

    Security and Privacy icon

  3. The Security & Privacy window opens. Click the Privacy tab. 

    Click Privacy

  4. In the lower left of the window, click the padlock icon to make changes. Enter your Mac's administrator username and password. 

    Click padlock

  5. In the left column, click the Accessibility section. If Microsoft Teams is not listed on the right side, click the plus sign and add Microsoft Teams. Then check the Microsoft Teams checkbox.

    Check Microsoft Teams

  6. Click the Camera section. Check the Microsoft Teams checkbox.

    Camera: Check Microsoft Teams

  7. Click the Microphone section. Check the Microsoft Teams checkbox.

    Select Microphone: Microsoft Teams

  8. Click the Screen Recording section. Check the Microsoft Teams checkbox.

    Screen Recording: Check Microsoft Teams

  9. Close the Security & Privacy window.

  10. Quit Microsoft Teams and reopen Teams to enact these changes.

Questions?

Please contact the IT Services Help Desk for questions about Microsoft Teams.