How to use and navigate Shifts in Microsoft Teams on Android

Microsoft Teams has a built-in “Shifts” experience which lets managers and first line workers schedules, swap out shifts, create groups, put in time-off requests, and more. It works on both the desktop and web apps, as well as the iOS and Android versions of the app too. We previously explained how the desktop version of the experience works, but today, we’ll give you a look at the mobile version on Android and how you can use some of its features like the time clock.

Finding Shifts in Teams

Much like the desktop experience, Shifts has its own dedicated portion of the Microsoft Teams mobile app. It’s not yet available as a separate download or app, which means that you’ll instead find it in the bottom bar of your Teams app. If you don’t see it, you’ll need to tap the . . . more button and choose Shifts from the menu. If you still don’t see it on the list, you might need to ask your IT Admin to enable Shifts. You also can reorder the icons if you want by tapping the Reorder button and dragging Shifts up to the top. This will give it a priority in your Teams bottom bar and make it easier to find.

The main screen

Once you head into Shifts, you’ll be thrown into the main screen. From here, you’ll see your schedule for the day. You can tap on a shift to see more details, or edit it, or you can tap on the clock in the top right corner of the app to see your entire Team’s shifts for the week and the day.

Back on the main screen, you’ll also see links for your requests, open shifts, and the time clock. A conveniently placed (+) button on the bottom will also let you choose from other options. These include swapping or offering shifts, requesting time off, adding a shift or time off, or setting availability. It’s quite a clean U.I. that’s easy to navigate and that’s self-explanatory once you get into it.

Using the time clock

The other big feature of the Shifts experience in Teams on mobile is the time clock. If enabled by your manager or IT admin, this time clock will help you clock in and out of your job and hours. You can find it by clicking the Time Clock link on the main page. Once there, you’ll see a list of options. The current time in your workplace’s timezone will be listed, as well as the Team for which you’re clocking in for.  You’ll also be able to check your actual time card (from current and past shifts) by tapping the icon of a notebook page in the top right corner of the app.

When ready, you can clock in by tapping the play icon in the middle of the circle. You’ll need to hold it down for a few seconds to confirm, but once you do, a “count up” will start, showing you how long you’re on the job. You can then tap in for a break, and press and hold on the stop button to end your shift.

If location services are enabled on your device, the location you clocked in might also be sent to your manager. Quitting the app and coming back to it will keep the time clock running, so you’ll have to make sure to clock out once you finish work for the day.

Let us know how you use Shifts

Shifts in Teams is a pretty nifty experience, especially on mobile devices. It’s really easy to understand and is quite straight forward. Does your job use Shifts in Teams? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to keep it tuned to OnMSFT as we continue to explore Microsoft Teams.