Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android will soon let you join Zoom and Webex calls via SIP

A major update starting in June brings protocol-level interoperability to Android-based Teams Rooms, bridging the gap with Windows.

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Microsoft has announced that it will be rolling out SIP-based cross-platform join for Teams Rooms on Android between June and August this year. This will enable users to dial into calls on competing products such as Zoom, Webex, and other SIP-enabled platforms.

For those unfamiliar, SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol. Once Microsoft adds the feature, users will be able to open SIP video address links and join a call from Teams Rooms on Android, even if it's on another platform. The Redmond giant notes that this feature will be off by default and need admin enablement.

Microsoft first announced that it was bringing this feature on April 28, but posted an update on May 4. Under the updated timeline, the rollout will start in early June and complete by mid-August. After this date its status will be General Availability (Worldwide).

The MC1294522 message from Microsoft pertains to Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android only, not other platforms. To use this feature, Microsoft also mentions that you’ll need a Teams Rooms Pro license.

Android Microsoft Teams Rooms currently use Direct Guest Join via an embedded web experience for Zoom and other platforms. With SIP, you get protocol-level interop, rather than just web-based. This closes the gap with Teams Rooms on Windows, which already had Pexip Cloud Video Interop for SIP/H.323 .

To prepare for this change, Microsoft recommends testing early with lower-ring Teams Rooms on Android devices. To ensure everyone is on-board, admins should also prepare guides for staff who will be using this feature. You should also update helpdesk documents and support teams should know the feature is off by default. Obviously, you’ll also need to make sure that devices have the Teams Rooms Pro license.

Microsoft also mentions that there will be no compliance impact as part of this update, which will be reassuring to organizations wanting to use this feature. To learn more, check out Roadmap ID 558539.