How to download a Teams chat depends on the account: for personal Teams, request an export from Microsoft’s Export page; for work or school, ask your organization’s administrator about its Microsoft Purview process. The self-service export is for personal use, not a general download option for workplace chats.
Choose the export route for your account
| Account | Where to request the data | What determines access |
|---|---|---|
| Teams for personal use | Microsoft’s Export page | Sign in with the Microsoft Account used for Teams personal use. |
| Work or school | Your organization’s Microsoft Purview compliance process | Your access, tenant configuration, and organizational policies. |
Download a Teams personal chat export
- Sign in to Microsoft’s Export page with the Microsoft Account you use for Teams personal use.
- Choose whether to export chat history, media, or both, then submit the request.
- Return to the Export page and check Available Exports for the request’s status.
- When the files are ready, select Download. Microsoft says the call log exports as well.
Open the downloaded archive
The export arrives as a .tar archive. Microsoft provides extraction instructions for Windows 10 and built-in archive support on Mac; older Windows systems may require an archive utility. After extraction, the chat messages are in messages.json. Microsoft describes a viewer workflow for reading that file; do not assume that any third-party viewer is an official Microsoft product.
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Get work or school chat through your organization
For organizational accounts, Microsoft describes compliance search and eDiscovery through Microsoft Purview, which includes search and export capabilities. This is an administrator-managed route, not a self-service export that every Teams user can necessarily run. Ask your Teams or Microsoft 365 administrator which process is approved for your account and whether you have the necessary access.
Whether particular messages can be found or exported depends on the tenant’s setup and policies, including retention rules and settings that affect whether chats with personal users are searchable. Do not assume an export will include every conversation or that the Teams app itself can download all workplace chat history.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPPORT WORK FROM ANYWHERE WITH SYNC: Whether employees are in the office, at home, or somewhere else, Sync device management software helps everyone stay connected by letting you ensure their Logitech video collaboration personal devices are being used and up to date.
- Open workspaces are great for collaboration, but not so great when the noise around you makes it hard to concentrate. Active noise cancellation substantially reduces unwanted ambient sound, so you can get focused and stay focused.
- Great for Music and Talking with immersive sound for listening to music and a noise-canceling mic that ensures that your voice is heard on the other end of a call—not the noise around you.
- On ear controls to adjust volume, start/end calls, and invoke Teams. Plus button controls for power, active noise cancellation (ANC), wireless Bluetooth pairing, and mute on/off or use the flip-to-mute mic feature.
- Certified for Microsoft Teams ensures it’s easy to pick-up or answer Teams meetings, calls, messages, and notifications with a single press to the Teams button. Or apply a longer touch to invoke Cortana voice skills.
What an export may not contain
- Deleted personal chats: Microsoft says deleted chats are not included in a personal-use export. Deleting a chat removes it from your view, but it may remain visible to other participants. See Microsoft’s Teams personal-use export and deletion guidance.
- Shared files and permissions: Personal exports offer separate choices for messages and media. A chat export is not a guarantee that every shared file, linked item, or its OneDrive permission state will be archived identically.
- Call history: Microsoft’s personal-use availability guidance lists call history as available for 30 days. That duration is specific to the help page’s personal-use information, not a universal retention rule for all Teams accounts. See Microsoft’s data availability guidance.
Microsoft’s general Teams chat guidance says chat history goes back to the first message and that group members’ messages remain in the history after they leave. That description of chat history does not guarantee that every message will appear in a particular compliance export or remain available under every organization’s retention policy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Comfortable on-ear design with lightweight, padded earcups for all-day wear.
- Background noise-reducing microphone.
- High-quality stereo speakers optimized for voice.
- Mute control with status light. Easily see, at a glance, whether you can be heard or not.
- Convenient call controls, including mute, volume, and the Teams button, are in-line and easy to reach.
Rank #4
- Microsoft Teams Certified & UC Optimized: Ensure crystal-clear communication with Microsoft Teams Open Office certification and UC platform compatibility, perfect for hybrid workspaces and virtual meetings. Use of USB-A receiver required for all Microsoft Teams functionality.
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- Advanced Noise Cancellation: Three-mic noise suppression technology blocks distractions, delivering unmatched audio clarity for professional calls or casual gaming
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- CRYSTAL-CLEAR CALLS: Hear and be heard clearly with advanced noise-canceling microphones for seamless communication.
- LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT: Experience all-day comfort with its lightweight design and foam or leatherette ear cushions that won't weigh you down during long meetings or calls.
- EFFORTLESS SETUP: Simply plug into your laptop via USB-A or USB-C for instant use, plus easy call and volume controls for smooth call management.
- ONLINE MEETINGS THAT JUST WORK: Works with all leading online meeting platforms and certified for Microsoft Teams.
- SOLID SOUND: Powerful 28mm speakers deliver richer sound for a better audio experience.
Rank #2
- Digital Stereo Sound: Fine-tuned drivers provide enhanced digital audio for music, calls, meetings and more
- Rotating Noise Canceling Mic: Minimizes unwanted background noise for clear conversations; the rotating boom arm can be tucked out of the way when you’re not using it
- Handy In-line Controls: Simple in-line controls on the headset cable let you adjust the volume or mute calls without disruption
- Plug-and-Play USB Computer Headset: Simply plug the USB-A connector into your computer and you’re ready to talk or listen without the need to install software
- Padded Comfort: Comfortable headphones with adjustable headband features swivel-mounted, leatherette ear cushions for hours of comfort and is easy to clean
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