Fix Classic Teams Is Still Launching on iPhone

Your iPhone keeps opening the old Classic Teams app even after you switched to the new Teams. The new Teams app for iOS offers faster performance and a unified experience, but the Classic app can remain the default due to cached settings or an incomplete uninstall. This article explains the root cause and provides step-by-step fixes to ensure the new Teams app launches every time.

You will learn how to clear the app cache, remove the Classic Teams app completely, and configure the new Teams app as your default. We also cover related issues such as meeting links opening the wrong app and persistent sign-in prompts. By the end, you will have a reliable Teams setup on your iPhone.

Why Classic Teams Keeps Launching on Your iPhone

The Classic Teams app and the new Teams app are separate applications on iOS. When you install the new Teams app, your iPhone may still associate Teams-related links and notifications with the Classic app. This happens because iOS caches the previous default app association after you first installed Classic Teams.

Another cause is that the Classic Teams app is not fully removed. Deleting the app icon from the home screen does not always remove all its data and preferences. iOS may still recognize it as the active Teams app until you offload or delete it through the storage settings.

Additionally, if you have both apps installed, the system may randomly pick one based on the most recent installation. The new Teams app does not automatically override the Classic app unless you set it as the default in the app’s settings.

How iOS App Defaults Work

iOS does not have a global default app picker like Windows. Instead, each app registers itself for certain URL schemes and file types. When you tap a Teams meeting link, iOS checks which app has the highest priority for that URL scheme. The priority is often determined by the order of installation, with the first installed app winning.

Steps to Make the New Teams App Launch Instead of Classic Teams

1. Delete the Classic Teams app completely
   Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Scroll to Microsoft Teams (Classic). Tap “Delete App” and confirm. This removes the app and all its data. If you see “Offload App,” use that first, then delete it.
2. Install or update the new Teams app
   Open the App Store and search for “Microsoft Teams.” Make sure you install the app that has the new icon, which is a colorful circle with a T. If you already have it, tap “Update” to get the latest version.
3. Open the new Teams app and sign in
   Launch the new Teams app and sign in with your work or school account. Complete the initial setup, including allowing notifications and calendar access. This registers the app as an active Teams client.
4. Set the new Teams app as the default in its settings
   Inside the new Teams app, tap your profile picture at the top left. Go to Settings > Default app. Select “New Teams.” This tells iOS to use this app for Teams links and notifications.
5. Restart your iPhone
   Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears. Slide to power off, then turn the phone back on. This clears any temporary system cache that might still point to the Classic app.
6. Test a Teams meeting link
   Ask a colleague to send you a Teams meeting invite in an email or chat. Tap the link and confirm that it opens the new Teams app. If it still opens Classic Teams, repeat steps 1 and 4.

If Classic Teams Still Launches After the Main Fix

Sometimes the issue persists because of leftover preferences or a conflict with the Microsoft Authenticator app. Here are additional steps to resolve the problem.

Classic Teams Opens When Tapping a Meeting Link

Go to Settings > Microsoft Teams (the new app) and tap “Reset All Settings.” This clears the app’s internal state without deleting your data. Then tap a meeting link again. If it still opens Classic Teams, uninstall both Teams apps, restart your iPhone, and reinstall only the new Teams app.

Notifications Still Come from Classic Teams

Open Settings > Notifications and find “Microsoft Teams (Classic).” Turn off “Allow Notifications.” Then go to the new Teams app and ensure notifications are enabled. Also, in the new Teams app, go to Settings > Notifications and turn on all alerts.

Classic Teams Reappears After an Update

If the Classic app returns after an iOS or Teams update, it may be because your organization pushes it through Mobile Device Management. Check with your IT admin. You can also hide the Classic app by moving it to the App Library and never opening it, but the only guaranteed fix is a full delete.

New Teams App vs Classic Teams App on iPhone

Item	New Teams App	Classic Teams App
App icon	Colorful circle with a T	Blue square with a T
Performance	Faster and more responsive	Slower and more resource-heavy
Default app setting	Available in app settings	Not available
Meeting link handling	Opens directly in new Teams	May hijack links
Storage usage	Smaller footprint	Larger footprint

Conclusion

You can now stop Classic Teams from launching on your iPhone by deleting the old app and setting the new Teams app as the default. Remember to clear cached settings and restart your device after making changes. If you still encounter issues, check your organization’s MDM policies or contact IT support.

Next, explore the new Teams app’s “Activity” tab to customize your notification filters. You can also enable “Focus assist” in the new Teams app settings to reduce distractions during meetings.