How to fix attached images do not show in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams has a convenient Files tab for each chat channel. This tab lists all the files that have been shared over a particular channel, making it easier to find them all.
The Files tab will show you all types of files that have been shared; documents, images, videos, etc. You will find though that certain images do not show up in the File tab.
Attached images does not show up in Files in Microsoft Teams
All files that are shared over Microsoft Teams appear in the Files tab of the respective channel but images that have been shared from an iPhone (or iPad), do not appear in this tab. Since the files do not show up in the Files tab, users cannot browse them. The files also tend to ‘disappear’ after two weeks.
Microsoft Teams File sharing on iOS
This bug is particular to files that have been shared to Microsoft Teams from an iPhone. If a file has been shared from Microsoft Teams for macOS, or Windows 10, the file will appear in the Files tab.
As for why this happens, it isn’t a bug. The app is working as it is designed.
To confirm this, simply click the more options button next to a shared image and there will be no Get Link option if the file was shared from the Photos gallery. This means the file was never uploaded to Sharepoint.
For files that have been shared from the cloud storage or the iPhone’s Files app, you will see the Get Link option. If you examine the link, it will show that the image has not been uploaded to Sharepoint.
To fix this problem, the image must be uploaded to Sharepoint, to the correct folder, and it will show up in the Files tab.
Upload image to Sharepoint on iOS
When you share files, particularly images to Microsoft Teams from iOS, and you want them to appear in the Files tab, you will have to make extra effort to upload them to Sharepoint. Make sure you have access to the Sharepoint website that is linked to your Microsoft Teams account.
- Download the official Sharepoint iOS app from the App Store.
- Open the app, and sign in with your account.
- Select the site for Microsoft Teams.
- Scroll down to Documents.
- Tap the share button next to the folder for a channel.
- Click the more options (three dots) button next to All Documents.
- Select Upload>File.
- Select a file from anywhere on your iPhone.
- Upload it. Do NOT close the app until it has been uploaded.
- Copy the link to the file, and paste in Microsoft Teams.
- On your desktop, open Microsoft Teams.
- Go to the channel that you uploaded the image to.
- Select the Files tab.
- The image will be listed there.
Conclusion
Many users are surprised to learn that the images and files they share to Microsoft Teams from an iPhone do not appear in the Files tab of a channel. These images also tend to disappear after a while.
It seems Microsoft uploads these images to a different location and there is no method from within the Microsoft Teams app to change it. This functionality is working the way it’s designed to. The only way around it is to use the Sharepoint app which definitely makes it a more complicated process.
