Overview
With Auburn University's integration of Microsoft Teams' phone service on campus, employees can utilize Teams Calls to make phone calls from on campus and remote locations. Placing a Teams call will use your Auburn University office phone number, regardless of your location. Therefore, to optimize 911 call routing, it is important that Microsoft Teams has your correct location information in the event that you need to use Teams to dial 911.
Instructions are provided below regarding Auburn's preferred 911 dialing methods and how to enable location settings for Microsoft Teams Calls in Windows and macOS operating systems, as well as on iOS and Android mobile devices. Regardless if you work on campus or remotely, it is strongly encouraged that you take the steps below to enable location settings for Microsoft Teams. Any location information that you manually enter in Teams should be saved and reused by the application when you return to that location.
Preferred 911 Dialing Methods
If you need to dial 911 while at work, it is important to use a device that provides location information.
To ensure location accuracy, Auburn University provides the following guidance and preferred order when dialing 911:
- If possible, use a landline phone. This is your desk phone and provides the most accurate location.
- If a landline phone is not available, use your mobile phone on a cellular network.
- When a landline or mobile phone is not available, you have the ability to make a 911 call from Microsoft Teams. The Teams desktop or mobile application is recommended and not a web browser. In order for Microsoft Teams to route 911 calls appropriately, location settings must be enabled.
Enabling Location Settings in Windows
Step 1: Adjusting Windows Settings
Windows 10:
- Go to Start.
- Select Settings.
- Choose Privacy, then Location.
- Switch the Allow apps to access your location setting to On.
- Switch on Let desktop apps access your location.
Windows 11:
- Go to Start.
- Select Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security, then Location.
- Switch the Location services to On.
- Switch on Let desktop apps access your location.
Step 2. Verifying Location Settings in Teams
- Once your location settings are enabled for Teams, you can check your emergency location in Teams below the dial pad in Calls or at the bottom of the Calls section within your Teams Settings.
- On the Teams dial pad, you can add, confirm, edit, or reset your emergency location.
Additional information on Windows location service and privacy can be found at this Microsoft Support Site.
Enabling Location Settings in macOS
Step 1: Adjusting System Preferences
- Click on the Apple icon in the menu bar and choose System Preferences.
- Click on the Security & Privacy icon.
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Click the Lock icon in order to unlock the settings for you to change. Enter your computer user name and password to unlock it.
- Choose Location Services from the list on the left.
- On the right-hand side of the pane, make sure that Enable Location Services is checked.
- Scroll through the list and check the box next to Microsoft Teams Helper (GPU).
- Close System Preferences.
Step 2. Verifying Location Settings in Teams
- Once your location settings are enabled for Teams, close and re-open Microsoft Teams.
- Click on the three dots (more) options menu to the left of your name in the upper-right corner of the application window.
- Click on the Settings icon.
- Choose Calls on the left.
- Scroll down on the right-hand side of the window until you see the Emergency Location section.
- You can check your emergency location in Teams below the dial pad in the Calls tab.
- On the Teams dial pad, you can add, confirm, edit, or reset your emergency location.
Enabling Location Settings on an iOS Device
Step 1: Adjusting iOS Settings
- From the Home Screen, tap Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Scroll down to Teams.
- Under Location, Select While Using or Always.
- Toggle to select Precise Location.
Step 2. Verifying Location Settings in Teams
- In the Teams app from your device, select Chat.
- Go into an existing chat or create a new chat.
- Select the Plus + icon to the left of the message editor field and select Location.
- A map of your location will appear with your location indicated by a pin. The street address of your location will also be visible along the bottom of the screen.
- Unless you want to send your current location to your chat, select the X icon on the upper-left corner of the map, and again near the message editor field to go back.
Enabling Location Settings on an Android Device
Step 1: Adjusting Android Settings
- From the Home Screen, tap Settings > Apps.
- Scroll or search for Teams.
- Select Permissions > Location.
- Select Always or While Using the App.
- Turn on the Use Precise Location setting (recommended).
Step 2. Verifying Location Settings in Teams
- In the Teams app from your device, select Chat.
- Go into an existing chat or create a new chat.
- Select the Plus + icon to the left of the message editor field and select Location.
- A map of your location will appear with your location indicated by a pin. The street address of your location will also be visible along the bottom of the screen.
- Unless you want to send your current location to your chat, select the X icon on the upper-left corner of the map, and again near the message editor field to go back.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use Microsoft Teams to dial 911?
- When dialing 911 while at work, it is recommended to use a landline (desk phone) which is best for location accuracy. If a landline phone is not available, a mobile phone on a cellular network should be used. If a landline or mobile phone are not available, Teams calling can be used.
Why is my location information needed with placing 911 calls in Microsoft Teams?
- Someone who makes a 911 call might not be able to verbally provide the 911 dispatcher their location because they may be incapacitated, unsure of their current street address, or unsure of the building name, room number or address of their campus location.
Does Auburn University use this location data for anything other than 911 calls?
- No; Auburn only uses this information for 911 calls and to diagnose issues with the Teams 911 service integration.
What happens if I dial 911 and my location in Teams is not set either automatically or manually?
- If your location is not set automatically or manually, your 911 calls will be routed to a national call center. An agent will speak with you to determine your location and will then route your call to the correct emergency services answering point, whether in Alabama or in another state.
If I dial 911 from outside of the Auburn area, will my calls be sent to the correct 911 center?
- If the location information in your Teams application is correct, or if you provide an accurate location when asked by the nationwide call center, then yes, your 911 calls will be routed to the correct emergency services answering point, whether in Alabama or in another state.