Trending Now - Microsoft to Retire Together Mode in Teams for Simplicity

WHO:

Engadget - Microsoft is the organization involved in the decision to retire the feature.

Techmeme - Terrence O'Brien is the author reporting on the changes made by Microsoft.

WHAT:

Mashable - Microsoft is officially ending the 'Together' mode feature in Microsoft Teams, marking a significant change in its virtual meeting approach.

TechRadar - Microsoft is moving away from 'Together' mode as it looks to implement simplified meeting layouts.

TechRadar - Microsoft is officially retiring the 'Together' mode feature in Teams, marking a shift away from virtual room views that were popular during the lockdown period.

Engadget - Microsoft is retiring the 'Together' mode feature in Teams.

Techmeme - 'Together' mode was debuted in 2020 and is being replaced with a focus on the Teams' gallery view.

Techmeme - Microsoft plans to simplify meeting layouts and improve video quality, stability, and performance.

WHY:

Engadget - Microsoft stated that 'Together' mode added too much 'implementation complexity'.

Techmeme - The company aims to focus on improving video quality and performance instead of gimmicks.

(UPDATED May 18, 2026 19:25 UTC)

Microsoft is officially ending the 'Together' mode feature in Microsoft Teams, marking a significant change in its virtual meeting approach. This decision reflects the company's evolving strategy in response to user needs and preferences. As organizations continue to adapt to new ways of working, this update will likely influence how teams collaborate online.

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(UPDATED May 18, 2026 17:43 UTC)

Microsoft is making a shift away from its 'Together' mode as it aims to introduce more simplified meeting layouts. This change is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance user experience during virtual meetings. The new layouts are expected to be rolled out soon, making it easier for participants to engage in discussions.

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(UPDATED May 18, 2026 12:04 UTC)

Microsoft is officially retiring the 'Together' mode feature in Teams, signaling a shift away from the virtual room views that gained popularity during the lockdown period. This change reflects the evolving needs of users as they adapt to new ways of working and collaborating. The decision highlights how technology continues to evolve in response to changing circumstances and preferences.

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(UPDATED May 18, 2026 10:16 UTC)

Microsoft has announced that it will retire the 'Together' mode feature in Teams, which was first introduced in 2020. The company is shifting its focus to enhancing the gallery view and aims to simplify meeting layouts while improving video quality, stability, and performance. According to Microsoft, the decision comes as 'Together' mode added too much 'implementation complexity,' and they want to prioritize functionality over gimmicks.