MS Teams - Unable to Use Camera or Microphone (macOS)

MS Teams - macOS Permissions

Determine macOS Version

Certain versions of Apple macOS (Catalina 10.15 - Big Sur 11 - Monterey 12) feature added security settings. Cameras, Microphone, and Screen Sharing tools have been affected.

To determine the version of macOS that you have installed: click the Apple Menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then click About This Mac.

Instructions for Granting Access

For Apple Computers running macOS Catalina Version 10.15, Big Sur Version 11, or Monterey 12 - use the following instructions to grant the necessary permissions for MS Teams.
 

If Microsoft Teams Prompts for Access

When launching MS Teams for the first time, Teams may trigger a request for access to Camera, Microphone, and Screen Sharing. Follow these steps if prompted:

1. When using the Camera and Microphone, if you see these access requests - click OK
   
   
   
   
   
   Click OK on Both Prompts
    
2. When using Screen Sharing, you may see these prompts
   
   From Microsoft Teams
   
   
   From macOS
   
   
   Click  Security & Privacy settings in the MS Teams prompt or Open System Preferences in the macOS prompt.
    
3. This will open the Security and Privacy Window. You can also open this options menu from Apple Menu > System Preferences - Open the Security & Privacy App and click on the Privacy Tab. Find and click on Screen Recording to set allowed apps for Screen Recording. To make any changes, click on the Padlock Icon on the bottom corner of the window. You will be prompted to unlock the settings with your Computer Password.
   
   
    
4. With the Padlock Unlocked, you can now make changes. Check the Checkbox next to Microsoft Teams to allow MS Teams to use Screen Recording.
   
   
    
5. The system will prompt you to Quit MS Teams and Restart the Application to enable this change. Click Quit Now to close Teams and these changes will take affect the next time you open the MS Teams application.
   
   
    
6. Close Security & Privacy. When MS Teams is launched again, Screen Sharing will now have permission for your use with MS Teams.
    

Teams or macOS not Prompting?

Sometimes, MS Teams or macOS will not request permissions for Camera, Microphone, or Screen Recording. Without having these rights, MS Teams will be unable to use the Camera, Microphone, or Screen Sharing features of the application. The computer may display a Spinning Wheel in MS Teams, or others won't be able to see or hear you, and Screen Sharing will not start.

To manually configure these access permissions, follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple Menu in the top-left corner of your screen and click on System Preferences
    
2. Locate the Security & Privacy app in your System Preferences, and launch the app
   
   
    
3. When the Security & Privacy Window opens, click on the Privacy Tab
   
   
    
4. Click on the Padlock Icon on the bottom corner of the window to allow you to make changes. You will be prompted to unlock the settings with your Computer Password
   
   
    
5. Find Accessibility from the list of options on the left. If you don't see MS Teams listed on the right side, click the plus (+) sign button and use the new window that opens to locate and add MS Teams. Once MS Teams is in the right-side list, check the checkbox next to MS Teams
   
   
    
6. Repeat Step # 5 for the following permissions in the left-side list of the Security & Privacy > Privacy Tab: Camera, Microphone, Screen Recording
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
7. Close out the Security & Privacy App. Quit MS Teams and restart MS Teams to have these changes take affect