Microsoft Teams uses different controls for calls and scheduled meetings. Hold and call transfer apply to calls. They may not appear in a scheduled meeting, and transfer options depend on your organisation’s calling setup.
That distinction explains many “missing button” problems.
The five controls to know
| Control | What it does | Important boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Mute | Stops your microphone | An organiser may restrict attendee audio in a meeting |
| Hold | Pauses a call for everyone | Not shown in scheduled Teams meetings |
| Transfer | Sends a one-to-one call to someone else | Availability depends on calling capability and policy |
| Device settings | Changes mic, speaker and camera | Browser and operating-system permissions still apply |
| Share | Presents a screen, window or supported content | Meeting roles and policies can restrict sharing |
Put a call on hold
In a Teams call, select Hold in the call window. Depending on the client layout, it may sit under More actions. Everyone is told that the call is on hold, audio and video stop, and screen sharing is suspended.
Select Resume to continue.
Microsoft documents separate concurrent-hold limits for desktop and mobile. Do not build a reception or contact-centre process around repeated manual holds without testing the actual account and client.
Transfer a call
Desktop
- During a one-to-one call, select Transfer.
- Search for and select the recipient.
- Review any offered destination, ring-back or call-topic options.
- Select Transfer.
For a warm handoff, select Consult, contact the recipient by call or chat, then complete the transfer.
Web
Direct transfer may be available, but Microsoft says Consult then transfer is not available in Teams for the web. Use the desktop client when that consultation step is required.
Mobile
Open More actions > Transfer, then choose Transfer now or Consult then transfer if those options are available to the account.
Do not assume every meeting participant can transfer a call. Microsoft ties Teams Phone features to calling configuration, licences and administrator policy.
Change microphone, speaker or camera
On desktop, open Settings and more > Settings > Devices before the call. Choose the speaker, microphone and camera, then use Make a test call when your tenant shows it.
During a meeting, use the arrow beside Mic and select More audio settings. Changes take effect immediately.
On mobile, the available speaker and audio-source choices are smaller. Use the speaker control before joining or during the meeting. If Teams cannot see a mic or camera, check the phone’s app permissions before changing Teams settings again.
Share a screen or window safely
Select Share, then choose the whole screen, one window or another supported content type.
Share one window when the audience should not see notifications or other applications. If the content needs sound, turn on Include sound. Remember that this can send notification sounds too.
A meeting organiser’s role and content-sharing policy can prevent an attendee from presenting. Ask the organiser to change your role rather than repeatedly restarting the client.
A quick failure checklist
If a control is missing:
- Confirm whether this is a call or a scheduled meeting.
- Compare desktop, web and mobile support.
- Check your meeting role.
- Check calling and meeting policies with the Teams administrator.
- Verify operating-system or browser permissions.
- Reproduce the issue in a test call before changing tenant-wide policy.
Keep the calling design supportable
For help separating user settings from tenant policy and Teams Phone configuration, join the SharePoint & Teams Admins Space.