Automatic Work Location Detection in Microsoft Teams: Complete Guide

Kaveendra Dhilhan
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Introduction

Microsoft Teams has introduced a feature that automatically detects and updates a user's work location when they connect to the corporate Wi-Fi network or plug into desk peripherals such as monitors or docking stations . This feature, known as workplace check-in, is designed to help hybrid teams coordinate in-person collaboration by reducing the need for manual location updates .

For employees, this means no more forgetting to update their location before heading to the office. For colleagues, it means a clearer view of who is available for in-person meetings. For IT administrators, it means configuring a new capability that bridges the physical and digital workplace.

What Is Workplace Check-In?

Workplace check-in is a feature that updates a user's actual work location based on real-world signals . It works alongside the planned work location (set in Outlook calendar) and the user's presence status.

When a user connects to a recognized corporate Wi-Fi network or plugs into a configured desk peripheral, Teams automatically updates their location to the mapped building (e.g., "Head Office" or "Factory Building"). The location is cleared at the end of the user's working hours .

What It Does

Updates work location to a specific building when users connect to company Wi-Fi or desk peripherals
Reduces the need for manual location updates
Helps colleagues coordinate in-person meetings
Clears location automatically at the end of working hours

What It Does NOT Do

Not a tracking tool – It cannot be used to monitor employee attendance or movement
No historical location data – Admins have no reporting or monitoring views
Does not force anything – Users can always manually set or clear their location

How It Works

When automatic work location detection is enabled and configured, Teams uses two types of signals to determine a user's location :

Wireless network connection – The user's device connects to a corporate Wi-Fi SSID. Teams uses the BSSID (MAC address of the access point) to map the connection to a specific building.
Desk peripheral connection – The user plugs into a monitor, docking station, or other peripheral that has been linked to a bookable desk.

User Experience

When a user with the feature enabled connects to the office Wi-Fi during their working hours:

Teams detects the network connection
The system checks if the SSID and BSSID match configured networks
The user's work location is updated to the mapped building name
Colleagues can see the updated location in the user's profile

Prerequisites for Administrators

Before enabling this feature, ensure your organization meets these requirements :

Requirement	Details
Buildings configured	Create buildings, floors, and sections in Microsoft Places
Desk booking configured	Set up desk pools or individual desk accounts for peripheral detection
Admin roles	Must be a Teams Administrator + Exchange Administrator
Teams desktop client	Users need Windows or macOS desktop app (web and mobile not supported)

Configuration Steps

Step 1: Configure Buildings and Hierarchy

To update location to specific building names (rather than just "In the office"), configure your building hierarchy in Microsoft Places :

Create buildings, floors, and sections in Microsoft Places
Ensure building visibility is enabled (Set-PlacesSettings -EnableBuildings 'Default:true')

Step 2: Create and Assign the Work Location Detection Policy

Use Teams PowerShell cmdlets to enable the feature :

Create a new policy

New-CsTeamsWorkLocationDetectionPolicy -Identity "Work Location Detect" -EnableWorkLocationDetection $true

Assign to users (choose one)

# Assign globally (all users)Grant-CsTeamsWorkLocationDetectionPolicy -Global -PolicyName "Work Location Detect"# Assign to a groupGrant-CsTeamsWorkLocationDetectionPolicy -Group "All [email protected]" -PolicyName "Work Location Detect" -Rank 1# Assign to a specific userGrant-CsTeamsWorkLocationDetectionPolicy -Identity "[email protected]" -PolicyName "Work Location Detect"

Policy modes

Parameter	Mode	Description
`-UserSettingsDefault Disabled`	Ask mode	Users must opt in before location sharing starts
`-UserSettingsDefault Enabled`	Inform mode	Feature is on by default; users can opt out

Step 3: Configure the SSID List

Tell Teams which Wi-Fi networks are corporate :

powershell

Set-PlacesSettings -Collection Presence -WorkplaceWifiNetworkSSIDList 'Default:Maliban Hub;Gold Board room'

Step 4: Map BSSIDs to Buildings (For Building-Level Accuracy)

If you only configure SSIDs, users will show as "In the office" (generic). For specific building names, map BSSIDs (MAC addresses of access points) to buildings :

Create a CSV file with columns: BSSID,BuildingName:

BSSID,BuildingNameFC:7F:F1:6B:30:91,Head OfficeFC:7F:F1:6B:30:81,Head Office54:D7:E3:35:DB:A3,Factory Building

Map and upload

powershell

Add-WifiDevices -Action MapBuildings -InputFilePath "C:\Temp\BSSID.csv"Add-WifiDevices -Action UploadEntries -InputFilePath "C:\Temp\BSSID.csv"

Step 5: Configure Desk Peripherals

For location updates via desk peripherals:

Link peripherals (monitors, docking stations) to desk pools or individual desks
Use the Teams Rooms Pro Management portal or PowerShell to associate devices

Prerequisites for Users

For automatic location detection to work, each user must complete these steps on their Windows or macOS device :

1. Use the Teams Desktop App

Feature works only on the Windows or macOS Teams desktop app
Web and mobile versions are not supported

2. Enable OS Location Services

Windows: Settings → Privacy & security → Location → Turn ON
macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Allow Teams

3. Grant Teams App-Level Consent

Admins cannot consent on behalf of users
In Teams: Settings → Privacy → Location → Select "Allow all" or toggle "Insights for IT admins" ON

4. Set Working Hours in Outlook

Location updates only occur during working hours
Outlook Calendar → Settings → Calendar → Working hours

5. Connect to Corporate Wi-Fi

User must connect to a network whose SSID is configured by the admin

Behavior and Limitations

Location Update Rules

Condition	Behavior
During working hours	Location updates automatically when user connects to Wi-Fi or peripherals
Outside working hours	No location update occurs; existing location is cleared
At end of working day	Location is automatically cleared
Manual override	Users can always manually set or clear their location
External networks	Connections to networks outside organization are ignored

Verification Checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your configuration:

Admin Checks

Buildings configured in Microsoft Places (Get-PlaceV3)
SSID list configured (Get-PlacesSettings -Collection Presence -ReadFromPrimary)
BSSIDs mapped and uploaded (Get-PlaceDevice)
Policy created and assigned (Get-CsTeamsWorkLocationDetectionPolicy)
Users have the policy (Get-CsUserPolicyAssignment -Identity "[email protected]")

User Checks

Using Teams desktop app (Windows or macOS)
Connected to corporate Wi-Fi
Windows/macOS location services ON
Teams Privacy location setting ON ("Insights for IT admins")
Working hours set in Outlook Calendar

Here is an example of how the work location displays.