Summary
- Teams is adding an Ask Copilot entry point in chats and channel threads so users can send a specific message or selected text into the Copilot pane as context.
- The feature applies across Teams desktop, web, and mobile clients and works in 1:1 chats, group chats, meeting chats, and channel conversations.
- There is no new admin policy or tenant configuration to deploy; access continues to follow existing Teams Copilot licensing and admin controls.
- IT should update user guidance and helpdesk/trainers so users know where to find Ask Copilot in Teams and how it behaves.
Ask Copilot in Microsoft Teams lets users quickly get Copilot help from specific messages or selected text without copying content. Rolling out globally from late August to September 2026, it’s available on desktop, web, and mobile. No admin action is needed; existing licensing and controls apply.
Microsoft 365 Message Center ID: MC1462461
Primary Service: Teams
Admin Impact: Low
User Impact: Medium
Release Start: 31 Aug 2026
Release End: 30 Sept 2026
Last Modified: August 27, 2026
Category: Plan for change
Tags: New feature, User impact
Status: Launched
Products & Platforms: Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
History
8/26/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
We’re introducing Ask Copilot in Microsoft Teams, a faster way for users to get Copilot assistance directly from a conversation. From a specific message or selected text, users can open the existing Copilot pane with the relevant content automatically included as context, reducing the need to copy, paste, or manually provide conversation details.
Rollout Schedule
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late August 2026 and is expected to complete by late September 2026.
Impact on Your Organization
Ask Copilot will be available in 1:1 chats, group chats, meeting chats, and channel thread conversations across Teams desktop, web, and mobile clients (iOS and Android).
Users will be able to access Ask Copilot in the following ways:
Desktop and Web
- Select text within a message, right-click, and choose Ask Copilot. The Copilot pane will open and use the selected text as grounding context.
- Open the message actions menu and select Ask Copilot to use the entire message as grounding context.
Mobile (iOS and Android)
- Press and hold a message, then select Ask Copilot from the message action menu. Teams will open the existing Copilot pane with the selected message content included as grounding context.
This feature helps users quickly ask Copilot questions about conversations and messages without needing to manually copy content or restate context.
Action required / Recommendations
No action is required to enable this feature.
- No new admin policy is being introduced.
- Access continues to follow existing Teams Copilot licensing and administrator controls.
- Consider updating internal training materials and user guidance to highlight the new Ask Copilot entry points in Teams.
Compliance Considerations
No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.