Microsoft to retire Teams Together Mode on June 30, 2026

Microsoft will retire the Together Mode feature from its Teams collaboration platform on June 30, 2026, marking the end of a tool introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to foster connection among remote workers. The company announced the change as part of a broader effort to simplify meeting layouts and improve core video performance.

Together Mode, launched in July 2020, used artificial intelligence to segment participants' heads and shoulders and place them into shared virtual backgrounds, such as auditoriums, coffee shops, or custom-branded conference rooms. The feature was designed to combat video call fatigue and create a greater sense of shared space during a period of widespread remote work. It also included interactive elements like virtual high-fives and shoulder taps.

According to the announcement, the decision to retire the feature stems from shifting workplace patterns and user feedback. As hybrid work has become standardized, the demand for such theatrical backdrops has diminished, with many users finding the feature gimmicky or distracting over time. Microsoft also cited technical and user experience reasons for the change.

Katarina Tranker, a product manager on...