The Microsoft Teams integration enables you to use Bonusly to give recognition within Teams.
For Admins
Setting up Bonusly in Microsoft Teams takes a few minutes and happens in two places:
The Teams Admin Center
The Teams app itself.
1. In the Teams Admin Center, add the Bonusly app and grant admin consent for the necessary permissions. This allows Bonusly to send messages, read team and channel info, and interact with your users in Teams.
If you run into a permissions error during setup, it usually means your Azure AD role doesn't have permission to consent on behalf of the organization. You'll need a Global Administrator or a Privileged Role Administrator to approve the app.
2. In the Teams app, create the channels where you want recognition to appear, then add the Bonusly app to those channels. A few things to keep in mind:
Set up channels before adding Bonusly. Bonusly can only be added to existing channels during installation, so create your recognition channels first.
Dedicated channels work best. A channel like
#recognitionor#shoutoutskeeps recognition visible without cluttering project channels.For smaller teams (under 100), one or two channels usually work well. Larger organizations may want channels per department or team so recognition stays personal and relevant.
Once you've added Bonusly to your channels, your team will start receiving welcome messages automatically.
For managers
Bonusly gives managers a few extra nudges to help them stay connected to their team's work:
Recognition suggestions. If you haven't recognized a direct report in a while, Bonusly will send you a suggestion based on what their peers have noticed. It's a helpful prompt, not a mandate -- you can recognize them in your own words or skip it entirely.
Direct report highlights. When a direct report receives recognition from leadership, you'll get a heads-up so you can add your own perspective or simply stay informed.
Monthly reminders. Like everyone else, you'll get a reminder when your recognition allowance refreshes and when it's about to reset -- so you can make the most of it.
Rewards and earnings
Every time someone recognizes you, you earn points. Those points add up and can be redeemed for rewards directly from Teams:
Click Shop rewards in the Bonusly chat or Home tab to browse the catalog.
Choose from gift cards, charitable donations, company swag, and more.
You'll also get a notification if you're approaching your earnings cap, with a nudge to redeem some rewards before new recognition stops adding to your balance.
For Everyone
When Bonusly is added to your Teams workspace, you'll get a welcome message in the Bonusly chat with a quick overview of what you can do. You can always type help in the Bonusly chat to see this again.
Pin Bonusly to your Teams sidebar for quick access. Right-click the Bonusly app and select "Pin" so it's always one click away.
Giving recognition
There are several ways to recognize someone in Teams; use whichever fits the moment:
From the search bar. Type
/Bonus.lyin the Teams search bar to open the recognition form. This works from anywhere in Teams.
From the Bonusly chat. Send
givein your direct chat with Bonusly, and the recognition form opens right there.
From the Home tab. Open the Bonusly app in Teams and give recognition directly from the Home tab. This is also where you can check your balance, see announcements, and manage your settings.
From a meeting. Click the
+button in the meeting chat's compose box and select Bonusly. Recognition given during a meeting posts right in the meeting chat a great way to close out a retro or celebrate a win in the moment.
When you give recognition, it shows up in your team's recognition channel so everyone can see it. Teammates can add on with their own recognition or leave a comment to join the conversation.
Staying connected
Recognition feed: Recognition posts to the channels where Bonusly is installed. You'll see peer recognition, add-ons, comments, and celebrations all flowing through naturally. It's a live feed of the good work happening across your team.
Celebrations: Bonusly automatically celebrates your team's milestones:
Birthdays—the team gets a notification and a chance to send birthday wishes.
Work anniversaries—recognize someone's impact on their milestone day.
New hires—welcome new teammates with a warm message from the team.
These celebrations happen automatically. All your team needs to do is join in.
Company announcements
When your company posts an announcement in Bonusly, it shows up in Teams too—so your team stays in the loop without needing to check another app.
Notifications: You'll get a personal notification in the Bonusly chat when:
Someone recognizes you
Someone adds on to or comments on your recognition
You're approaching or exceeding your earnings cap
Tips for getting the most out of Bonusly in Teams
Pin the Bonusly app to your Teams sidebar so it's always easy to find.
Use dedicated recognition channels to keep recognition visible and organized.
Recognize in the moment—don't wait for a formal review or meeting. The best recognition is timely and specific.
Give recognition in meetings—it's a great way to start or end a team sync on a positive note.
Add on to others' recognition—when you see someone recognized for something you've noticed too, pile on. It reinforces the behavior and makes the recipient's day.
FAQs
How do I get help inside Teams? Type help in the Bonusly chat, and you'll see a carousel of cards covering the main features. You can also click the Help center button for more detailed guidance.
Can I give recognition in a meeting? Yes. Click the + button in the meeting chat's compose box and select Bonusly. The recognition posts directly in the meeting chat.
Why can't I see the Bonusly app? Your admin needs to install and approve the Bonusly app in the Teams Admin Center. If you're an admin and running into issues, check that you've granted admin consent for the app's permissions.
What if I get a permissions error during setup? This usually means the person installing doesn't have the right Azure AD role. A Global Administrator or Privileged Role Administrator can approve the app permissions.
Do I need to enable camera and microphone permissions?
Some Bonusly features in meetings may request access to your camera or microphone. Most recognition features work without these permissions, but if you're prompted, here's where to enable them:
Teams Desktop and Web app: Go to **Settings > App permissions** (or **Settings > Privacy**) and toggle on Camera and Microphone for the Bonusly app.
Google Chrome: Click the lock icon in the address bar, then allow Camera and Microphone for the site. You can also manage these in **Chrome Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings**.
Teams Mobile (iOS): Go to your device's **Settings > Teams** and enable Camera and Microphone.
Teams Mobile (Android): Go to **Settings > Apps > Teams > Permissions** and enable Camera and Microphone.
How do recognition channels work? Bonusly posts recognition to the channels where it's been installed. You can have multiple recognition channels -- for example, one per department or one for the whole company. Your admin controls which channels Bonusly is active in.
What happens to my points at the end of the month? Your recognition allowance (the points you give to others) resets monthly. Your earnings (points you've received) don't expire -- they stay in your balance until you redeem them. You'll get reminders before your allowance resets so you can use it up.