Admit an Anonymous User to a Microsoft Teams Meeting

Overview:
When hosting a meeting in Microsoft Teams, participants joining without a Teams account or from a link may be classified as anonymous users. These users wait in the lobby until the meeting organizer or a presenter admits them. Follow the steps below to admit an anonymous user.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Join or Start the Meeting
Open Microsoft Teams and join the scheduled meeting as the organizer or a presenter.
Open the Lobby Notifications
- When an anonymous user joins, a notification will appear in the meeting controls at the top of the screen, alerting you that someone is waiting in the lobby.
- You can also access the Participants panel to view the lobby.
Review the Lobby
- Click the People icon (or Show participants) in the meeting controls to open the participants panel.
- Under the In the lobby section, you will see the name or identifier of the anonymous user (e.g., "Guest" or their entered name).
Admit the User
- Hover over the user’s name in the lobby section.
- Click Admit to allow them into the meeting.
- If you do not recognize the user, you can choose to ignore the request or communicate with them via chat.
Monitor Participant Activity (Optional)
Once admitted, the user will appear under the In meeting section of the participants list. Monitor their activity to ensure a smooth meeting experience.

Tips for Handling Anonymous Users

Security Consideration: Before admitting an anonymous user, confirm their identity if possible (e.g., by asking attendees to introduce themselves upon entry).
Lobby Settings: To allow anonymous users to bypass the lobby automatically, change the meeting settings before it starts by selecting Meeting Options and setting Who can bypass the lobby? to Everyone or another appropriate option.