// compare · entra roles

Teams Administrator vs Teams Communications Administrator

Two Microsoft Entra built-in roles that are often confused, compared permission by permission.

In short: Teams Administrator has 33 permissions. Teams Communications Administrator has 11 permissions. Assign the one with less access that still covers the job.

Detail	Teams Administrator	Teams Communications Administrator
What Microsoft says	Can manage the Microsoft Teams service.	Can manage calling and meetings features within the Microsoft Teams service.
Size	33 permissions	11 permissions

Permissions only Teams Administrator lists (25)

microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/allowedCloudEndpoints/update
microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/default/crossCloudMeetings/update
microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/default/standard/read
microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/partners/create
microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/partners/crossCloudMeetings/update
microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/partners/standard/read
microsoft.directory/crossTenantAccessPolicy/standard/read
microsoft.directory/externalUserProfiles/basic/update
microsoft.directory/externalUserProfiles/delete
microsoft.directory/externalUserProfiles/standard/read
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/assignedLabels/update
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/basic/update
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/create
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/delete
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/members/update
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/owners/update
microsoft.directory/groups.unified/restore
microsoft.directory/groups/hiddenMembers/read
microsoft.directory/pendingExternalUserProfiles/basic/update
microsoft.directory/pendingExternalUserProfiles/create
microsoft.directory/pendingExternalUserProfiles/delete
microsoft.directory/pendingExternalUserProfiles/standard/read
microsoft.directory/permissionGrantPolicies/standard/read
microsoft.office365.network/performance/allProperties/read
microsoft.teams/allEntities/allProperties/allTasks

Permissions only Teams Communications Administrator lists (3)

microsoft.teams/callQuality/allProperties/read
microsoft.teams/meetings/allProperties/allTasks
microsoft.teams/voice/allProperties/allTasks

Permissions are listed as Microsoft writes them. A broad one, such as one ending in allTasks, can cover several narrower ones listed for the other role.

Teams Administrator explained Teams Communications Administrator explained

Sources

Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Entra built-in roles

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