Microsoft has confirmed that it will officially remove the Together Mode feature from Microsoft Teams later this year, marking the end of one of the platform’s most recognizable pandemic-era tools.
According to the company’s support notification MC1296478, the feature will be phased out gradually beginning in early June 2026, with full removal scheduled for June 30, 2026.
Introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Together Mode placed meeting participants into shared virtual environments such as auditoriums and classrooms in an effort to reduce video call fatigue and create a more natural group experience.
The feature quickly became associated with remote work and online education during lockdown periods, particularly in large meetings and virtual classrooms.
With its removal, Microsoft will also eliminate custom Together Mode scenes, manual seat assignments, and the dedicated option within the Teams interface.
Focus on Simplicity and Performance
Microsoft says the decision is part of a broader effort to simplify Teams and improve overall performance. The company identified several reasons for retiring the feature.
One of the primary concerns involves reducing code complexity. Maintaining the AI-powered segmentation technology used to isolate participant silhouettes in real time reportedly added significant processing overhead during meetings.
The company also plans to consolidate multi-user meeting layouts around Gallery View, which will become the main interface for larger calls. Microsoft says the updated gallery system will support smoother navigation and better scaling for meetings with more than 49 participants.
At the same time, development priorities are shifting toward features tied to artificial intelligence, including meeting summaries, Copilot integration, and new AI-powered Meeting Agents.
Guidance for IT Departments
Although the removal process will occur automatically, Microsoft is advising IT administrators to prepare in advance of the deadline.
The company recommends updating internal documentation, training materials, and onboarding guides that reference Together Mode. Organisations are also encouraged to notify educators, presenters, and event organisers who regularly rely on auditorium-style layouts during large meetings.
For companies that used custom Together Mode scenes for branding purposes, Microsoft suggests transitioning to approved virtual backgrounds distributed through the Teams administration panel.
