How to Create a Group in Microsoft Teams

Applies to: Windows, macOS, Web, iPhone & iPad, Android
In Teams, “group” can mean three things: a group chat (quick messaging thread), a team (workspace with channels, files, and apps), or a contact group using tags (easy @mentioning of a set of people). Pick the option you need below.

Before you start

• Decide what you need: quick chat, full workspace, or @mention list.
• Check with IT—some orgs restrict creating teams or adding guests.
• Have member names/emails ready.

Create a group chat (desktop & web)

1. Open Teams and click New chat (✚).
2. In To: start typing names, then select each person.
3. Click the down-arrow next to the name list → Group name, enter a name.
4. Send a first message to finalize the chat.
   Pro tip: Click the chat name → Add people to include more members later (choose whether to see chat history).

Create a group chat (mobile: iPhone, iPad, Android)

1. Tap Chat → New chat (✚).
2. Add multiple people, then tap the group name field to name it.
3. Send a message to create the thread.

Create a team (desktop & web)

1. Go to Teams → Join or create a team → Create team.
2. Choose From scratch or From an existing group.
3. Pick Private (invite only) or Public (anyone in org can join).
4. Name the team, add a description, then Create.
5. Add members and set owners.
   Note: Creating a team gives you channels (like #General), shared files, and apps—ideal for ongoing projects.

Create a team (mobile: iPhone, iPad, Android)

1. Tap Teams → More (…) → Create new team (or Manage teams → Create).
2. Name it, choose privacy, then add members and owners.

Create a contact group using tags (desktop & web)

1. Open a team where the people live → More (…) next to the team name → Manage tags (or Tags tab).
2. Create tag, name it (e.g., “Design-Leads”), add members, Create.
3. In any channel of that team, type @TagName to notify everyone with that tag.
   Pro tip: Tags are great when the same subset needs frequent pings without making a separate chat.

Tips

• Upgrade a chat to a team: In a group chat, click Add people → Create a team from this chat to get channels and shared storage.
• Guests/external users: If you can’t add someone outside your org, guest access may be disabled—ask IT.
• Organize teams: Use channels for topics; create Private channels for sensitive work.
• Reduce noise: Use @TagName or @Channel instead of @everyone.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a group chat and a team? Group chats are fast, message-centric threads. Teams are full workspaces with channels, files, apps, and permissions.
Can I add or remove members later? Yes. Owners can manage members for teams; anyone in a group chat can usually add people unless the org limits it.
Why don’t I see “Create team”? Your admin may have disabled it. Ask IT to create it or grant permission.

Summary (ordered steps)

1. Choose your type: group chat (quick), team (workspace), or tag (notify a subset).
2. For a group chat: New chat → add people → name the group → send a message.
3. For a team: Teams → Create team → set privacy → add members/owners.
4. For a tag: Team → Manage tags → Create tag → add members → use @Tag in channels.

Conclusion

Use group chat for fast coordination, teams when you need channels and files, and tags to @mention recurring groups. If options are missing or guests can’t be added, your admin likely restricts creation or external access—check with IT.