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Can a Teams meeting side panel app be auto-added to meetings using an API or event trigger?

Irshad Gouri 60 Reputation points
2025-12-09T18:36:29.28+00:00

Hi,

I’m developing a Teams Meeting Side Panel app using the official sample from this repo: https://github.com/OfficeDev/Microsoft-Teams-Samples/blob/main/samples/meetings-sidepanel/nodejs/

Right now, the only way to load the side panel is by doing the manual steps inside the meeting:

Apps → select the app → click → then Start.

I want to know if there is any API, event trigger, or configuration that can automatically add or activate the meeting side panel app when a meeting starts, or when a specific condition occurs—so that the user does not have to manually open it every time.

In short:

Question

Is it possible to programmatically (via Graph API, Bot Framework, or any Teams event) auto-install or auto-open a meeting side panel app for a meeting?

What I want to achieve

Trigger an event or API

Automatically load the side panel for the meeting

Remove the need for the user to manually open the app from the Apps panel

If this is not supported, is there any recommended workaround or upcoming feature that allows meeting apps to auto-activate?

Thanks!

Microsoft Teams | Development
Microsoft Teams | Development
Building, integrating, or customizing apps and workflows within Microsoft Teams using developer tools and APIs
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-09T18:36:42.9033333+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    Currently, there is no API or event trigger available in Microsoft Teams that allows a meeting side panel app to be automatically added or activated when a meeting starts. The only method to load the side panel app is through manual steps during the meeting, as you described.

    The meeting apps (including side panel and meeting stage) are supported in the Teams desktop client, but they require user interaction to open them. As of now, there are no known workarounds or upcoming features that would enable automatic activation of meeting apps without user intervention.

    For the most accurate and updated information, you may want to keep an eye on the official Microsoft Teams documentation and updates regarding meeting app functionalities.

    References:

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  1. Irshad Gouri 60 Reputation points
    2025-12-09T19:09:26.3233333+00:00

    I want to know if there is any supported way to make the side panel load automatically:

    Before the meeting starts, or

    Exactly at the scheduled meeting time, or

    As soon as the meeting begins

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