Join a shared channel in Microsoft Teams

Sometimes a team member will share a Teams channel, post or reply that you can’t access. When you receive a link to a shared channel or channel message and you’re not a member, you can request access. 

Request access to a shared channel  

If you don’t have access to the channel that is hosting a message, you won’t be able to read it. If that channel is shared, you can request to join it. 

External users (B2B direct connect) won’t see this option. Instead, contact the channel owner to join a shared channel.

After selecting the link to the message, select Join channel.  

Join a shared channel by selecting Join channel after clicking the link to the message.

Channel owners will receive a request to join, which they can approve or deny.  

The number above Join channel shows how many people are currently in the channel.

Approve access to a shared channel  

Channel owners will receive a notification for shared channel access requests. Select it to approve or deny requests.  

Channel owners can also approve or deny access to a shared channel by selecting:  

More options > Manage channel> Requests and invites  

The user won’t be notified if you deny their request.

Related articles

Standard, private, or shared channels in Microsoft Teams

Shared channel owner and member roles in Microsoft Teams

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