Microsoft is updating the Join by code behavior for Private Teams.
When a user enters a team code for a private team, they now submit a request that a team owner must accept or deny.
This change aligns Join by code with the alternative Join by link behavior for private teams. Public teams are not affected.
Timeline
Updated 30 July 2026:
Microsoft republished this update. According to Microsoft Support, the republishment applies only to GCC, GCC High, and DoD environments.
- For commercial tenants: The rollout was completed in December 2025.
- For GCC, GCC High, and DoD: The rollout should be completed in September 2026.
How does this affect your team owners?
Previously, when someone used the “Join by code” method to join a private team, the user became a team member immediately (no team owner approval required). If the code was shared within the organization, any user could join the private team until a team owner reset the code. In comparison, joining via a team link always required a join request and owner approval.
Microsoft still notes this code behavior in the team settings: “You won’t get join requests”
Microsoft has now changed this behavior.
Users with the code can still join a private team using the code, but a team owner must approve the request. Instead of joining the team immediately, users now see a “Request sent” message after entering the code. It’s the same behavior as joining via a team link.
Team owners receive a notification about the join request and can accept or deny it.
Public teams are not affected. Internal users (no guests) can still join public teams automatically using a code.
