As organisations increasingly adopt Microsoft Teams as their unified communications platform, a common question arises: what’s the difference between using the Teams mobile app and subscribing to Teams Phone Mobile? While both enable calling on the go, they serve very different purposes, and understanding those differences can help you make smarter decisions.

The Teams Mobile App: A Collaboration Companion

The Teams mobile app is a free, feature-rich extension of the desktop experience. It allows users to:

  • Join meetings and calls
  • Chat with colleagues
  • Access files and shared content
  • Make internal Teams-to-Teams voice and video calls

However, when it comes to external calling, the mobile app has limitations. Users can only make PSTN (public switched telephone network) calls if they have a Teams Phone licence and are connected to the internet. If the app is closed, or the phone is in battery-saving mode, calls may not ring through reliably.

Teams Phone Mobile: Native Telephony, Seamless Experience

Teams Phone Mobile is a newer offering that integrates Teams directly with a user’s mobile SIM. It turns the mobile number into a Teams identity so users can make and receive calls using their native dialler, even when the Teams app is closed or the device is offline.

Key benefits include:

  • Single number reach: Your mobile number is your Teams number. No need to juggle multiple identities.
  • Native dialler integration: Calls are handled through the phone’s built-in dialler, not the Teams app.
  • Seamless handoff: Move calls between mobile, desktop, and Teams devices without dropping the connection.
  • Operator Connect Mobile: Delivered via mobile carriers who partner with Microsoft, such as BT in the UK
  • Clobba Analytics – You mobile device can be monitored and provide analytics as would any Teams device.

This makes Teams Phone Mobile ideal for frontline workers, field staff, or anyone who needs reliable voice connectivity without relying on the Teams app or a data connection.

Use Case Comparison

Feature Teams Mobile App Teams Phone Mobile
Internal Teams calls ✅ ✅
PSTN calling ✅ (with licence) ✅ (native)
Works without internet ❌ ✅
Uses native dialler ❌ ✅
Call continuity across devices Limited Seamless
Ideal for Knowledge workers Mobile-first users, frontline staff

Real-World Deployments

In recent trials with local authorities and colleges, and the Beckett Telecom team have helped organisations explore both options. For example, a 60-day Teams Phone trial at a District Council demonstrated how Direct Routing and Operator Connect could support hybrid voice strategies .

While the Teams mobile app is a powerful tool for collaboration, Teams Phone Mobile offers a robust and native telephony experience,  for users who rely on their mobile number as their primary point of contact. Choosing the right solution depends on your users’ needs, your existing infrastructure, and your licensing strategy.