Teams Microphone, Camera and Screen Sharing Not Working on a Mac: How to Fix It

If Microsoft Teams cannot hear you, see you or share your screen on a Mac, the cause is usually a macOS privacy setting. macOS blocks apps from using the microphone, camera and screen until you allow it, so Teams is waiting for permission. This guide shows where to give it. Once the permissions are right, Teams usually works reliably and you do not need to change them again.

Start with the basics

Before you change anything, quit Teams completely and open it again. Then join a test meeting. If the problem is still there, follow the sections below.

Fix the microphone

If the microphone is blocked, other people cannot hear you, even though everything else looks right.

1. Open System Settings.
2. Choose Privacy & Security, then Microphone.
3. Make sure Microsoft Teams is turned on.
4. Quit and reopen Teams.

Next, check which microphone Teams is using. In Teams, choose Settings and more, then Settings, then Devices. Under Microphone, choose the right device and speak to see whether the level meter moves. You can also choose Make a test call to hear how you sound.

Then check macOS itself. Open System Settings, choose Sound, then Input, and make sure the right microphone is selected and showing activity.

Fix the camera

If Teams shows a black screen or says it cannot find a camera, macOS is probably blocking access.

1. Open System Settings.
2. Choose Privacy & Security, then Camera.
3. Turn on Microsoft Teams.
4. Quit and reopen Teams.

Then in Teams, go to Settings and more, Settings, Devices, and choose the right camera. You can see a preview there. If another app, such as a browser tab on a video call, might be using the camera, close it and try again.

Fix screen sharing

Screen sharing is protected more strictly than audio or video, because it can show sensitive information. macOS needs your explicit approval before an app can record or view your screen.

1. Open System Settings.
2. Choose Privacy & Security, then Screen & System Audio Recording. On older versions of macOS it is called Screen Recording.
3. Turn on Microsoft Teams. macOS will ask for your password or Touch ID.
4. If Teams asks, quit and reopen it.

If Teams is not in the list, join a meeting, choose Share and then choose Screen. macOS should prompt you to allow Teams to record your screen. If no prompt appears, click the plus button below the list, go to your Applications folder, choose Microsoft Teams and click Open. Make sure the switch is on.

The permission does not take effect straight away. Always quit Teams completely, open it again and try sharing again.

If Teams is turned on in the list but sharing still does not work, remove it from the list by selecting it and clicking the minus button. Then add it again with the plus button, and restart Teams.

Teams in the app and in a browser

Permissions work differently depending on how you use Teams. The Teams app uses the macOS permissions above. In a browser, each browser has its own permissions for the microphone and camera. For most Mac setups, the Teams app is the more consistent option.

When reinstalling Teams helps

Reinstalling can help if you denied a permission earlier or Teams behaves inconsistently.

1. Quit Teams.
2. Remove Teams from the Applications folder.
3. Restart your Mac.
4. Download the latest Teams installer and install it.
5. Allow the permissions when macOS asks.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not click Don’t Allow on a permission prompt unless you mean it. Do not run several meeting apps at once. Do not skip the restart after changing a permission. And do not assume Teams is broken when macOS is simply blocking it.

If it still does not work

If Teams still cannot use your devices, there may be a problem with the Teams installation, the meeting settings your organisation uses or the device itself. See our Microsoft 365 setup guide for how Teams fits into the rest of Microsoft 365, and our guide to OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams on a Mac for how it handles files.

Need a hand?

If Teams is still not working, or you would like it set up properly on your Macs, contact Your Mac Tech. We can help with Teams setup on macOS and the permissions behind it.