Microsoft Teams is one of Microsoft's newer programs that gained a lot of attention during the beginnings of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a video conferencing resource that enables people from all over the world to meet together virtually. It has many options that would be beneficial to your business.
Why you might want Teams on Mac
There are many benefits to using Microsoft Teams on your Mac, including Chat, Meetings, Channels, and Calls.
Chat
Microsoft Teams has both individual and group chat options. This can make communicating with your colleagues a lot faster than using email. In addition, the chat allows you to send text, files, and emojis, so it isn't hard for you to get across what you need. You also have the option to flag messages as important.
Meetings
Likely the most prominently used feature of Teams is the video conferencing feature. It allows you to set up meetings ahead of time or start one up on the fly. If you set up the meeting beforehand, anyone invited will receive a calendar invite.
Channels
When you have a group of people working toward a common goal, you create a channel. Channels can be small or large groups and can be set to private or public.
Calls
Rather than using a traditional phone, you can make outbound calls through Microsoft Teams. It is helpful not to have to leave the program and go somewhere else to make a call.
How to get Microsoft Teams on Mac
While MS Teams is a Microsoft product that does not mean it will only run on Windows Platforms. While Mac often has its own versions of different Microsoft programs, getting Teams on your Mac isn't too difficult.
Mac users can install Teams by using a PKG installation file. You will need administrative access to install the Mac client. The macOS client will be installed in the Applications folder.
Follow these steps to install Teams by using the PKG file.
- On the Teams download page, find Mac and click Download.
- Find the PKG file and double-click on it.
- Follow the directions in the installation wizard.
- Microsoft Teams will be installed in the Applications folder. It will be a machine-wide installation, so any users on that device can access it.
There are certain things to note while you are installing Teams.
- The PKG will ask for admin credentials during the installation.
- The admin credentials must be entered whether or not the user is an admin.
If the user has a DMG installation of Teams and desires to replace it with the PKG installation, they must do the following:
- Exit the Teams application
- Completely uninstall the Teams application
- Install the PKG file
It is possible for IT admins to use managed deployment of Teams to distribute the installation files to every Mac in their organization.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to having Microsoft Teams on your Mac. It will help keep workers connected and make collaborating much simpler. Microsoft Teams allows workers to talk over chat, engage in video conference meetings, create channels to work together on a problem, and make calls from within Teams.
While Microsoft products are usually found more frequently on Windows devices, getting Microsoft Teams on your Mac isn't difficult. You have to go to the Teams download page, select Mac and the PKG file, and then follow the directions the installation wizard gives you. Installing Teams on your Mac will require admin credentials, so you will want to have those ready to go. Once installed, Teams will be ready to run, and you can reap all of its benefits.