To assign a phone number in Teams, an IT admin must use the Teams admin center at admin.teams.microsoft.com, this task cannot be done from the Teams mobile app. Microsoft documents two official paths: working from the phone number list or assigning directly from the user profile.
How to assign a phone number in Teams: what you need
As an admin, your starting point is always the Teams admin center. You need a Global admin account or an equivalent role with permissions to manage voice settings. Microsoft documents two assignment methods for user numbers: from the phone number list or from the user profile. The two documented methods are Voice > Phone numbers (working from the number list) and Users > Manage users > Account (working from the user profile).
Sign in to the Teams admin center
- Open a browser and go to admin.teams.microsoft.com.
- Sign in with a Global admin account or an account that has permissions to manage voice and phone-system settings.
Method 1: Assign a number from the phone number list
- In the left navigation, go to Voice > Phone numbers.
- Select an unassigned number from the list.
- Click Edit.
- Under Assigned to, search for the user by display name or user name.
- Click Assign.
- Under Emergency location, search for and select the location if needed.
Method 2: Assign a number from the user profile
- Go to Users > Manage users.
- Select the user and open the Account tab.
- Select Assign primary phone number.
- In the Assign phone number side rail, choose the Phone number type from the drop-down.
- Select the PSTN connectivity solution that owns the number (for example, Calling Plan or Operator Connect).
- In Assigned phone number, search for and select the number. For Direct Routing, if numbers have not been uploaded to Teams, the number can be typed manually in the assignment field.
Direct Routing: type a number manually
If you use Direct Routing and the numbers have not been uploaded to Teams, you can type the number directly into the Assigned phone number field during assignment. This applies only to Direct Routing, for Calling Plan or Operator Connect numbers, you must select from the available list.
Alternate phone numbers and limits
From the user’s Account tab, you also see an Assign alternate phone number workflow for adding additional numbers to a single user.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I assign multiple phone numbers to one user in Teams?
Yes. After assigning a primary number, use the Assign alternate phone number option from the user’s Account tab to add additional numbers. Each user can have one primary number and one or more alternate numbers.
Are there costs for assigning phone numbers in Teams?
Costs depend on your organization’s subscription and calling plan. Microsoft offers Calling Plans with bundled minutes, and Operator Connect numbers may have separate carrier charges. Check your license agreement or contact your Microsoft representative for specific pricing.
Can I assign a phone number to a guest user in Teams?
No. Phone numbers can only be assigned to internal users within your organization’s tenant. Guest users can participate in calls using their own communication methods but cannot receive an assigned Teams phone number.
What happens if I assign a number but don’t set an emergency location?
An emergency location is not mandatory for assignment, but it is strongly recommended. For Calling Plan numbers, you must configure an emergency address during number acquisition. For Direct Routing, emergency location requirements depend on your organization’s policy.
How do I remove a phone number from a user?
Go to the user’s Account tab in the Teams admin center, locate the assigned number, and use the Remove or Unassign option. The number then returns to the unassigned pool and can be assigned to another user.
For the wider topic, see getting and understanding phone numbers.
