How to Transition Away from Microsoft Teams' Together Mode: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Microsoft Teams is finally saying goodbye to its Together mode, a feature that many found charming but ultimately impractical. Launched in 2020 during the height of remote work, Together mode used AI to cut out each participant's head and shoulders and place them into a virtual space like a conference room or coffee shop. While it aimed to reduce video fatigue and simulate in-person meetings, the end result often looked awkward and fell short of its goals. As of June 30, Microsoft will remove Together mode to simplify the meeting experience and focus on core improvements like video quality and stability. If you've been using Together mode, this guide will help you smoothly transition to alternative features and ensure your meetings remain effective.

What You Need

• A valid Microsoft Teams account (work, school, or personal)
• Access to Teams desktop or web app (version is automatically updated)
• Basic familiarity with Teams meeting controls (e.g., view options, pinning)
• Optional: Administrator permissions if you want to enforce default settings for your organization

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Removal Timeline

Microsoft officially removes Together mode on June 30. After this date, any scheduled or recurring meetings that used Together mode will automatically fall back to the default Gallery view or Large Gallery view. No action is required from your end to disable the feature; it will simply stop appearing. However, if you have custom scenes or assignments set up, those will no longer be available. Familiarize yourself with the date and plan accordingly.

Step 2: Assess Your Reliance on Together Mode

Identify how you and your team use Together mode. Ask yourself:

• Do you assign seats in meetings to clarify roles or mix departments? If yes, note which meetings benefit from that structure.
• Do you rely on Together mode's guaranteed visibility of all participants? Gallery view can show up to 49 people, but some may be hidden if there are more attendees.
• Are there specific custom scenes (e.g., an amphitheater for all-hands) that you've built? Those will disappear, so plan replacements.

Document your findings. This will guide which alternatives you need to adopt in later steps.

Step 3: Explore Alternative Views and Features

Microsoft recommends switching to Gallery view as the primary replacement. Here's how to leverage related features:

• Gallery view: Go to your meeting controls, click View and select Gallery or Large Gallery (up to 49 participants).
• Pinning: To mimic assigned seating, right-click on a participant's video and choose Pin for me. For everyone, use Pin for everyone (requires organizer permission).
• Spotlighting: During a meeting, click the three dots on a person's video and select Spotlight to make them the primary focus. This can replace the assigned speaker roles from Together mode.
• Dynamic view: Allow Teams to automatically optimize video layout based on content sharing and participant count.

Test these options in a small test meeting to see how they fit your needs.

Step 4: Set Up New Default Meeting Settings (Optional for Admins)

If you manage a team or organization, you can set default views so users don't have to manually switch. In the Teams admin center:

1. Go to Meetings > Meeting policies.
2. Select a policy (e.g., Global) and edit.
3. Under Participants & guests, set Gallery view as default.
4. Enable Pin participants and Spotlight options if not already active.
5. Save changes and notify your team.

For individual users, you can set your personal preferences via Settings > General > Default layout.

Step 5: Communicate the Change to Your Team

Let colleagues know about the upcoming removal and the new workflow. Share a brief email or message:

• State the June 30 deadline.
• Explain that Together mode will be replaced by Gallery view.
• Provide a quick tutorial on using pinning and spotlighting to maintain role clarity.
• Offer to hold a short demo if needed.

Clear communication reduces frustration and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Step 6: Practice and Adjust in Real Meetings

During your first few meetings after the transition, monitor how things go. Use the following techniques:

• Encourage participants to pin the speaker or key presenters.
• Use the raise hand feature (in Reactions) to manage turn-taking, similar to Together mode's natural flow.
• If visibility of all attendees is critical, consider using Large Gallery view (accessible only if you have 49 or fewer participants). For larger meetings, use Together mode is already gone, so rely on Grid view alternatives like Gallery with scrolling.
• Collect feedback from team members and iterate on the best combination of features.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Embrace the simplicity: Together mode added unnecessary complexity. Without it, meetings may load faster and have fewer technical glitches.
• Customize for different meeting types: For brainstorming sessions, use Large Gallery to see everyone. For presentations, spotlight the speaker and pin shared content.
• Use breakout rooms: If you miss the collaborative atmosphere of Together mode's shared space, try sending small groups to breakout rooms for more intimate discussions.
• Leverage the 'Together mode memories': Some users have taken screenshots of their custom scenes as a fun keepsake—save yours before June 30.
• Stay informed: Microsoft may roll out new layout features in the future. Keep an eye on the Microsoft Teams Blog for updates.
• Remember the why: The removal allows Microsoft to invest in better video quality, stability, and performance. Your meetings will likely run smoother overall.