Teams bot not receiving messages when using a self-hosted Bot Framework without Azure Bot resource

Hi Callihan Memory

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum

Regarding you question: Is it possible to configure a Teams messaging endpoint (for example, /api/messages) to receive messages without creating an Azure Bot resource?

Based on my research, you cannot bypass Azure Bot registration. Microsoft Teams requires a bot to be registered with the Azure Bot Framework Service (via an Azure Bot resource or a Bot Channel Registration) in order to deliver messages to your bot’s endpoint. Simply having a Teams app manifest with your bot’s App ID is not enough. The Teams client routes all bot messages through the Bot Framework Service (hosted in Azure), which uses the bot’s registration to look up the correct HTTPS endpoint for your bot.

As far as I know, this registeration is necessary, because the Teams app manifest does not contain your bot’s actual HTTP address, it only references the bot’s App ID. So, when a user sends a message to your bot in Teams, Teams contacts the Bot Framework Service (using the App ID) to forward the message.

That said, if your bot isn’t registered there, the service doesn’t know where to send the request. In other words, registering the bot with Azure (Bot Framework) is mandatory for the Teams channel to function. This is by design for security and routing purposes

In case you are finding the workaround for this: Unfortunately, there is no supported workaround to get a Teams bot working without some form of Bot Framework registration. In the past, developers could register a bot through the legacy Bot Framework portal or Teams App Studio (which behind-the-scenes still created an Azure Bot registration). Today, you must use the Azure Bot Service for any production Teams bot integration.

For your information: https://www.neilwithdata.com/teams-bot-without-azure

Note: Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. These sites are not controlled by Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks before using any suggestions from the above link.

Best regards

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