Microsoft Bids Farewell to Together Mode: What It Means for Teams Users
Introduction
Microsoft has announced the retirement of Together Mode, its immersive virtual meeting space for Teams, effective June 30. The feature, launched during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to combat video call fatigue by placing participants in shared virtual environments such as conference rooms, coffee shops, or amphitheaters. Now, Microsoft is urging users to rely on the more streamlined Gallery view instead, marking a shift toward simplicity in its video conferencing platform.
The Rise of Together Mode
When the pandemic forced offices to close and remote work became the norm, tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom experienced explosive growth. In 2020, Microsoft introduced Together Mode as a "shared virtual space" to enhance the sense of connection among meeting participants. By cropping individual video feeds and placing them into a unified scene, the feature aimed to reduce the cognitive load of traditional grid layouts. Microsoft claimed that users of Together Mode reported lower levels of video meeting fatigue, a common complaint among remote workers struggling with constant screen time. The feature was also part of a broader push toward more engaging and immersive meeting experiences, aligning with Microsoft's earlier metaverse-for-work concepts like the Mesh 3D meeting platform.
Why Microsoft Is Retiring Together Mode
Despite its initial appeal, Together Mode is being phased out. Microsoft cited the desire to "simplify the meeting experience" for users. In a blog post, Katarina Tranker, Teams product manager, explained that the core need that Together Mode addressed—seeing the people who matter in a meeting—can now be fully met by the modern Gallery view. This layout can display up to 49 participants at once, offering a more straightforward and less resource-intensive option. Microsoft also noted that consolidating to a single layout reduces the number of clicks for users and allows the development team to move faster when adding new features. Additionally, Gallery view is less demanding on devices, improving performance for all users.
Gallery View Takes Over
As of June 30, Together Mode will no longer appear as an option in the View menu during Teams meetings. The Gallery view will become the primary layout for group meetings, providing a familiar and efficient way to see multiple participants. This change aligns with the retirement of Microsoft's Mesh for Teams last December, though an app for immersive events remains available with certain subscriptions. Together Mode's removal represents a continuation of that trend, signaling Microsoft's focus on refining core features rather than maintaining experimental virtual spaces.
The End of an Era in Virtual Meetings
Together Mode was more than just a gimmick; it reflected the intense experimentation during the pandemic to make remote work feel more human. However, as hybrid work stabilizes, many organizations have moved away from novelty features toward reliability and simplicity. The retirement of Together Mode underscores a broader industry shift: video conferencing tools are maturing, and features that once seemed essential are being streamlined to improve user experience. For Microsoft, the move also saves development resources that can be redirected to other innovations within Teams, such as AI-powered meeting summaries or advanced collaboration tools.
What Users Should Do
Existing Teams users do not need to take any action—Together Mode will simply disappear from the View menu after June 30. Those who enjoyed the virtual scenes may want to explore custom background effects or dynamic layouts that are still available in Teams. Microsoft encourages users to familiarize themselves with Gallery view, which now offers an optimal balance between participant visibility and system performance. For organizations concerned about meeting fatigue, Microsoft recommends using breakout rooms or Together Mode alternatives like the "Large Gallery" view that can show up to 49 participants.
Conclusion
The retirement of Together Mode marks the end of a notable chapter in Teams' evolution. While it was a creative solution to a unique problem, the feature is no longer necessary as the platform and user habits have matured. Microsoft's decision to focus on Gallery view underscores a commitment to a cleaner, more efficient meeting experience. As Teams continues to evolve, users can expect further simplifications and enhancements aimed at making virtual collaboration more natural and less taxing.