Microsoft Teams has become a part of everyday business, much like Word and Excel. Even if you’re not a Microsoft 365 users, chances are you’ll be roped into an online meeting where Teams is the preferred platform. In some cases, we can end up with multiple Microsoft 365 accounts with different clients and personal accounts. But when you try to remove an account or experience some other issue, the resulting glitches can be very challenging to resolve.
There are two Teams
Microsoft released the first version of Teams back in 2017. For about seven years, Classic Teams was updated and tweaked. It remains in use but has been superseded by the new Teams which was released in April 2024.
It is possible to run both versions (in case you really have to for some reason).
It’s important to know which version you’re running as the instruction for fixing problems are a little different.
Most issues can be resolved by clearing the Teams cache
A cache is a repository of data that the application uses. It can include personalised settings and other information that makes using the app easier. However, there can be times when the data in the cache becomes corrupted – either because of some unexpected event like a system crash or when the application doesn’t behave properly. For example, you might delete an account but all the account information isn’t properly removed resulting in errant application behaviour
The easiest cure for this is to clear the Teams cache. It’s quite easy to do but does rely on using the Terminal.
How clear the cache in Classic Teams
- Shut down Teams either by choosing Quit from the File menu or pressing Command-Q on your keyboard.
- Launch the Terminal app. You’ll find it in your Applications folder or you can find it using Spotlight on your Mac.
- Enter the following command and then press Enter
rm -r ~/Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft/Teams- Restart Teams
How to clear the cache in New Teams
- Shut down Teams either by choosing Quit from the File menu or pressing Command-Q on your keyboard.
- Launch the Terminal app. You’ll find it in your Applications folder or you can find it using Spotlight on your Mac.
- Enter the following command and then press Enter.
rm -rf ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams- Enter the following command and then press Enter.
rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2- Restart Teams
Reference: Clear the Teams client cache (Microsoft)
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.