Pop Out Chat in Microsoft Teams: Step-by-Step

Popping out a chat in Microsoft Teams lets you move a conversation into its own separate window, so you can keep chatting while working in other apps or comparing multiple conversations side by side. This guide covers the exact steps for both the desktop and web versions, plus common pitfalls and fixes. You’ll need an active Microsoft Teams account and an open chat conversation.

What You’ll Need

• Microsoft Teams desktop app (Windows or Mac) or the web version in a browser.
• An active sign-in to your Teams account.
• An existing chat (1:1 or group) that you want to pop out.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Microsoft Teams and go to the Chat section (the chat bubble icon on the left sidebar).
2. Select the conversation you want to pop out from the chat list. The chat opens in the main window.
3. In the top-right corner of the chat area, look for the pop-out icon (two overlapping squares or a diagonal arrow, depending on your version). Hover over it to see the tooltip “Pop out chat”.
4. Click the pop-out icon. The chat immediately opens in a new, separate window. The original chat remains in the main Teams window, but it’s now a separate instance—you can close the main window without losing the popped-out chat.
5. To move the popped-out window, drag it by its title bar to your preferred screen or position. You can resize it like any normal window.
6. To return the chat back to the main window, look for the pop-in icon (usually the same icon, now pointing inward) in the top-right corner of the popped-out window and click it. The chat reattaches to the main Teams window.

On the web version, the steps are identical—the pop-out icon appears in the same location. If you’re using a touch device, the icon might be under a “…” (more options) menu.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking the wrong icon: The pop-out icon is not the same as the “Open in new window” option for the entire Teams app. It’s specifically located in the chat header, not in the app’s title bar.
• Expecting the pop-out to sync instantly: The popped-out chat is a live copy, but if you send a message in the main window, it may take a second to appear in the popped-out window. Don’t double-send.
• Closing the main window thinking you’ll lose the chat: The popped-out chat stays open even if you close the main Teams window, as long as the popped-out window is not closed.
• Using the browser’s “pop-out” instead of Teams’: In the web version, some users try to right-click and “Open in new window” on the tab—this opens a new tab, not a separate chat window. Use the in-app icon.

Tips

• Use it for multitasking: Pop out a chat to keep an eye on a conversation while you work in Excel, Word, or another app. You can even pop out multiple chats and arrange them side by side.
• Keyboard shortcut: There’s no default shortcut for popping out, but you can use the Windows key + arrow keys to snap the popped-out window to a side of the screen.
• Pop out from a meeting chat: You can also pop out the chat from a meeting by clicking the chat icon in the meeting controls and then using the pop-out icon in that chat window.
• Remember the pop-in: When you’re done, use the pop-in icon to reattach the chat to the main window. This keeps your chat list organized and avoids having too many windows.

Troubleshooting

• No pop-out icon visible: If you don’t see the icon, try hovering over the chat header area—sometimes it’s hidden until you hover. If it’s still missing, update Teams to the latest version, or try the web version.
• Pop-out doesn’t work: If clicking the icon does nothing, try restarting Teams. On the web version, clear your browser cache or try a different browser (Edge or Chrome work best with Teams).
• Popped-out chat is blank or not loading: This can happen due to connectivity issues. Check your internet connection, then close and reopen the popped-out window. If it persists, sign out and sign back in.
• Pop-out window is too small or off-screen: If the window opens off-screen, press Alt+Space on Windows (or Control+Option+Space on Mac) and choose “Move,” then use arrow keys to bring it back. You can also try maximizing it.
• Can’t pop out on a shared computer: Some IT policies may disable pop-out windows. If that’s the case, contact your administrator—there’s no workaround from the user side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does popping out a chat work on mobile?

No, the pop-out feature is only available on the desktop and web versions. On mobile, chats are already in a separate view, but you can’t create a separate window.

Can I pop out multiple chats at once?

Yes, you can pop out as many chats as you need. Each will open in its own separate window.

Will popping out a chat affect notifications?

No, notifications still work normally. You’ll receive notifications for new messages in the popped-out chat just like you would in the main window.

How do I pop a chat back into the main window?

Click the pop-in icon (the same icon you used to pop out, but now pointing inward) in the top-right corner of the popped-out window. The chat will reattach to the main Teams window.

Why is the pop-out icon missing in my Teams?

This could be due to an outdated version or an IT policy. Try updating Teams, or use the web version. If it’s still missing, contact your IT support.

Can I pop out a chat from a channel?

No, the pop-out feature is only for 1:1 and group chats. For channels, you can open the channel in a separate window by right-clicking the channel name and selecting “Open in new window.”

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