Set Microsoft Teams as the Default Calling App on a Mac

Questions

  • How do I make Microsoft Teams the default calling app on my Mac?
  • FaceTime keeps opening when I click a phone number — how do I change this?
  • When I click a phone number link on my Mac, the wrong app opens — how do I fix it?
  • How do I stop FaceTime from opening when I click a phone number in an email?
  • How do I set Teams as my default phone app on macOS?
  • Can I make Teams open automatically when I click a phone number on a web page?

Environment

By default, macOS uses FaceTime as the application for handling telephone calls. When you click a phone number link in an email, on a web page, or in another app, FaceTime opens instead of Microsoft Teams. This article covers how to change that default so Teams handles those links.

  • Operating system: macOS Sequoia (15.x) and Tahoe (26.x)
  • Requirement: Microsoft Teams must be installed before you can select it as the default
  • Windows users: See Set Microsoft Teams as the Default Calling App on Windows in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

  1. Open the FaceTime app. (You can find it in your Applications folder or search with Spotlight.)
  2. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click FaceTime, then click Settings…
  3. On the General tab, find the Default calls using: dropdown menu near the bottom of the window.
  4. Click the dropdown and select Microsoft Teams.
  5. Close the FaceTime Settings window.
Done: Phone number links will now open in Microsoft Teams. You can test this by clicking a phone number link in an email or web page — Teams should open instead of FaceTime.
Note: This setting only affects clickable phone number links (tel: links). You can still open FaceTime directly for video or audio calls with Apple contacts at any time — this change does not disable FaceTime.

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.
Print Article

Related Articles (2)

Overview of Teams Calling at Bowdoin — what it is, who has access, what devices are supported, and first steps for new users.
How to configure Windows 11 to use Microsoft Teams as the default application for telephone calls so that phone number links open in Teams.