Get Started with Teams Calling at Bowdoin

Questions

  • What is Teams Calling and how does it work at Bowdoin?
  • What devices can I use to make and receive calls with Teams Calling?
  • Do I need a physical desk phone to use Teams Calling?
  • Can I use Teams Calling on my smartphone?
  • Who at Bowdoin has access to Teams Calling?
  • Will I keep my existing Bowdoin phone number when I switch to Teams Calling?
  • What should I do first after I am set up for Teams Calling?
  • How do I request a Teams Calling phone number or a desk phone?
  • Is Teams Calling the same as Microsoft Teams for meetings and chat?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin College faculty and staff who have been assigned a Teams Calling phone number. Teams Calling is Bowdoin's primary campus phone system.

  • Supported platforms: macOS (Sequoia 15.x, Tahoe 26.x), Windows 11, iOS, Android, and Teams-compatible Poly desk phones
  • Students: Personal Teams Calling numbers are not assigned to students. Student employees who require phone access use a shared common-area desk phone assigned to their work area.
  • Not covered here: For general Teams features such as meetings, chat, and file sharing, see the Microsoft Teams section of the Knowledge Base.

Resolution

What is Teams Calling?

Teams Calling is Bowdoin's campus phone system, built into Microsoft Teams. It replaces the previous Cisco desk phone system and gives you a full-featured phone line accessible from any of your devices — your laptop, your smartphone, or a physical Teams desk phone on your desk.

Your Bowdoin phone number works the same as it always has. Colleagues and outside callers can reach you at the same number, and you can call any internal extension or external number directly from Teams — no "9" required to dial out.

Where can you use it?

Teams Calling works on any device where you are signed in to Microsoft Teams:

  • Teams desktop app — macOS or Windows
  • Teams mobile app — iOS or Android. Callers see your Bowdoin number, not your personal cell number.
  • Teams web app — at teams.microsoft.com from any browser
  • Poly desk phone — a physical Teams-compatible desk phone, available on request for faculty and staff whose role requires one
Tip: Most people find the Teams desktop or mobile app handles everything they need without a desk phone. Desk phones are available on request — contact the Service Desk if you need one.

First steps for new Teams Calling users

  1. Open Microsoft Teams and sign in with your Bowdoin account if prompted.
  2. Find the Calls section — click the phone icon (Calls) in the left sidebar of the Teams app. If you don't see it, click the three dots (More) to find it.
  3. Make a test call — dial a colleague's extension or your own number from another phone to confirm audio is working.
  4. Set up your voicemail greeting — see Record or Change Your Voicemail Greeting in Microsoft Teams in the Related Articles section.
  5. Configure your availability — decide how you want calls handled when you are busy, in a meeting, or away. See Set Your Availability to Manage Calls During Meetings and Classes in the Related Articles section.

Recommended setup steps (optional but helpful)

  • On a Mac: Set Teams as your default calling app so that phone number links in emails and websites open in Teams rather than FaceTime. See Set Microsoft Teams as the Default Calling App on a Mac in the Related Articles section.
  • On Windows: Set Teams as your default calling app. See Set Microsoft Teams as the Default Calling App on Windows in the Related Articles section.
  • On a Mac on campus: Enable macOS Location Services for Teams so that E911 dispatchers can identify your exact location if you call 911. See Enable Location Services for Teams Calling on a Mac (E911) in the Related Articles section.
  • Office environment: If multiple people share call coverage in your office, configure simultaneous or ordered ring. See Configure Teams Calling for an Office Environment in the Related Articles section.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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