Manage attendee audio and video permissions in Teams meetings

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To avoid random noise and visual distractions, you can disable attendee mics and cameras. Then, when you want someone to speak or be seen, you can let them turn their mic or camera back on. Learn how to manage audio and video permission in Teams meetings.

In this topic:

 

Desktop

 

Prevent mic and camera use

Before the meeting

After scheduling the meeting and sending out the invite, the meeting organizer can disable the mics and cameras so that attendees can't use them during the meeting. All attendees (but not presenters) will join the meeting with mic and camera off. 

  1. Go to Calendar and double-click the meeting.

  2. Select Meeting options near the top of the screen.

    'Meeting options' near the top of the screen

  3. Turn off the Allow mic for attendees? or Allow camera for attendees? toggle and select Save.

    Meeting options in Teams, a red box surrounds the setting to manage attendee mic and camera permissions.

During the meeting

The organizer and presenters can disable the mic or camera of all the attendees, or of individuals, at any time during the meeting.

Note: Currently this option isn't available to organizers and presenters who join the meeting from Teams room devices.

To disable all attendee mics or cameras

  • Select More options Microsoft Teams more options icon  next to Participants and then Disable mic for attendees or Disable camera for attendees.

    Don't allow attendees to unmute option

    Attendee mics and cameras will appear dimmed.

    Mics of attendees are dimmed

Tip: If you just want to mute participants without disabling their mics, select Mute all participants. 

If later you want to enable everyone's mic or camera, select More options Microsoft Teams more options icon  again and then Allow mic for attendees or Allow camera for attendees.

To disable an individual's mic or camera

  • Select More options Microsoft Teams more options icon  next to their name and then Disable mic or Disable camera.

    Select Disable mic or Disable camera

Tip: Attendees can signal that they want to speak by raising their hands.

Allow someone to unmute or share their video

  • Select More options Microsoft Teams more options icon next to the name of the person and then select Allow mic or Allow camera.

    Select Allow mic or Allow camera

That person can now unmute themselves or share video.

 

Mobile

 

Prevent mic and camera use

Before the meeting

After scheduling the meeting and sending out the invite, the meeting organizer can disable the mics and cameras so that attendees can't use them during the meeting. All attendees (but not presenters) will join the meeting with mic and camera off. 

  1. In the Teams calendar, open the meeting event and select Meeting options.

  2. Turn off the Allow mic for attendees? or Allow camera for attendees? toggle and select Save.

    Select Allow mic for attendees

During the meeting

The organizer and presenters can disable the mic or camera of all the attendees, or of individuals, at any time during the meeting.

To disable all attendee mics or cameras

  • Go to the participant list, select Manage audio and video, and then turn off the Allow attendees to unmute or Allow attendees to share video toggle.

    Select Allow attendees to unmute

Attendee mics and cameras will appear dimmed.

Mics appear dimmed

Tip: If you just want to mute participants without disabling their mics, go to the participant list and select Mute all next to In the meeting.

To disable an individual's mic or camera

  • Select and hold the person's name, either on the main screen or in the participant list, and then select Disable mic or Disable camera.

    Select Don't allow to unmute or Don't allow to share video

Tip: Attendees can signal that they want to speak by raising their hand.

Allow someone to unmute or share their video

  • Select and hold the person's name, either on the main screen or in the participant list, and then select Allow mic or Allow camera.

    Select Allow to unmute or Allow to share video

That person can now use their mic or camera.

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