Microsoft Teams Adds Feature for Admins to Control 365 Certified Apps with Custom Rules

Microsoft is rolling out a major update to Microsoft Teams, empowering administrators with enhanced control over third-party app availability through new rule-based settings in the Teams admin center.

This change—detailed in Microsoft’s recent Message Center update (MC1085133)—is set to begin global rollout in mid-August 2025, with completion expected by early September 2025.

The new feature, tracked under Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 485712, allows admins to manage Microsoft 365-certified apps in bulk, directly from the Teams admin center.

Previously, app availability was governed solely by third-party app tenant settings, limiting flexibility and control.

With this update, admins will be able to set rules based on app permissions and publisher names, ensuring only trusted, certified apps are accessible to users.

A key aspect of this rollout is the automatic enablement of the feature—meaning it will be ON by default for all organizations.

The system will automatically evaluate Microsoft 365 certified apps against the rules specified by the admin, making compliant apps available to users. This move aims to bolster security and streamline app management across organizations.

How It Works

Once the feature is live, administrators can access the new controls via the Teams admin center under Manage apps > Actions > Org-wide app settings > Microsoft 365 certified apps.

The default setting will allow all certified apps, but admins can further refine availability using the new Customize availability option.

This enables granular control based on specific criteria, such as required permissions or trusted publishers.

What Organizations Need to Know

• Automatic Rollout: No immediate action is required from admins before the feature launches.
• Review and Notify: Admins are encouraged to review their current app configurations and notify users of the upcoming changes. Updating internal documentation is also recommended.
• 30-Day Grace Period: After the feature releases in a tenant, organizations will have 30 days to adjust settings before the new rules impact app availability. This grace period is a one-time occurrence for this launch; subsequent changes will take effect immediately.

For organizations with Org-wide app settings already enabled, no further action is necessary.

However, those with these settings turned off should review the new tenant settings and prepare to make any needed adjustments.

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