Microsoft to Retire Teams’ Together Mode in June

Microsoft is streamlining its communication suite by retiring the Together mode feature in Microsoft Teams. The change, which is scheduled to take effect on June 30, marks a strategic shift toward simplifying the meeting experience and prioritizing core performance metrics over specialized layout options.

According to an announcement from the Microsoft 365 Insider team, the decision to phase out Together mode is part of an ongoing effort to make meetings easier to manage and more reliable across various devices and network conditions.

Why Microsoft is Simplifying Meeting Layouts

The retirement of Together mode is driven by a desire to reduce backend complexity. By removing this specific layout, Microsoft intends to redirect engineering investments toward improvements that benefit all Teams users, regardless of their chosen view. These core areas of focus include:

• Video quality: Enhancing the visual clarity of all participants.
• Stability: Ensuring meetings remain connected under varying network conditions.
• Performance: Improving the overall speed and responsiveness of the Teams application.

What is Changing for Teams Users?

As the update rolls out, users will notice several specific changes to the Microsoft Teams interface, and functionality.

The Move to Modern Gallery View

The primary replacement for Together mode is the modern Gallery view. Microsoft notes that the modern Gallery view can fully meet the needs originally addressed by Together mode, as it can display up to 49 participants simultaneously.

Unlike the static nature of Together mode, the modern Gallery view is designed to be dynamic. It automatically scales the number and size of participant video tiles based on the capabilities of the user’s device. This ensures that users maintain smooth frame rates and consistent meeting quality, even in environments with limited hardware resources.

Retiring Scenes and Custom Assignments

The transition will also result in the removal of several niche features. The Together mode toggle will be removed from the meeting View menu, and all associated “scenes” and custom scenes—including specific seat assignments—will be retired along with the mode.

Alternatives for Brand Presence

Many organizations previously utilized Together mode’s custom scenes to maintain a consistent brand presence during meetings. To support this need, Microsoft recommends that organizations use branded backgrounds. These include options for organization-provided imagery and frosted glass effects to maintain a professional aesthetic.

Key Takeaways

• Retirement Date: Together mode will no longer be available starting June 30.
• Primary Replacement: The modern Gallery view, which supports up to 49 participants.
• Engineering Focus: Resources are being shifted toward video quality, stability, and performance.
• Feature Removal: The Together mode toggle, custom scenes, and seat assignments are being phased out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I still be able to see many participants at once?

Yes. The modern Gallery view can display up to 49 participants at once, providing a high-capacity alternative to the retiring Together mode.

How can my organization maintain branded meeting environments?

Organizations can use branded backgrounds and frosted glass options to maintain a professional and consistent visual identity during meetings.

Will this change affect my video quality?

Microsoft is specifically focusing engineering efforts on improving video quality and stability as a direct result of simplifying the meeting layout options.