What Is Together Mode On Teams

Together mode in Teams uses AI to place meeting participants in a shared virtual auditorium for a more connected feel. If you have ever wondered what is together mode on teams, this feature is Microsoft’s answer to making remote meetings feel less isolating. It cuts out the messy backgrounds and puts everyone in one digital space.

This mode is perfect for team meetings, company all-hands, or even virtual social events. Instead of seeing a grid of faces, you see people seated in a theater or conference room. The AI removes each person from their real background and places them into a shared scene.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about this feature. We will cover how it works, when to use it, and how to set it up. You will also find tips for troubleshooting and best practices.

So, what is together mode on teams exactly? It is a viewing option in Microsoft Teams that uses artificial intelligence to digitally cut out participants and place them into a shared background. The default scene is an auditorium, but there are other options like a coffee shop or a conference room.

The goal is to mimic the feeling of being in the same room. When everyone is in together mode, you can see people’s faces more clearly. The AI also makes eye contact feel more natural because faces are positioned at a consistent angle.

This feature works best for meetings with 5 to 50 participants. For larger groups, the scene can feel crowded. Microsoft designed it for collaboration and connection, not for large webinars.

How Together Mode Differs From Gallery View

Gallery view shows everyone in a grid of square boxes. Each person has their own background, which can be distracting. Together mode removes those backgrounds and puts everyone in one scene.

In gallery view, people look like floating heads. In together mode, they appear to be sitting in seats. This small change makes a big difference in how connected you feel.

Another difference is that together mode uses more processing power. Your computer needs to run AI segmentation in real time. Older devices might struggle with this.

Who Should Use Together Mode

This mode is great for team stand-ups, brainstorming sessions, and company updates. It works well when you want everyone to feel included. It is less useful for one-on-one calls or very large meetings.

If you are hosting a virtual happy hour or a team celebration, together mode adds a fun element. The shared background makes people feel like they are at the same event. It reduces the sense of distance.

For formal presentations, together mode can help the audience stay engaged. When people see faces in a theater setting, they pay more attention. It creates a sense of occasion.

How To Enable Together Mode In Teams

Enabling together mode is simple. You can do it during a meeting or set it as the default view. Here are the steps.

Join a Teams meeting as usual.
Click on the “View” button in the meeting toolbar. It looks like three dots or a grid icon.
Select “Together mode” from the dropdown menu.
The scene will change immediately. You will see participants in a virtual auditorium.

You can also switch back to gallery view at any time. Just repeat the steps and choose a different view. The meeting host can also set together mode for everyone.

Setting Together Mode As Default

If you prefer together mode for all meetings, you can set it as default. Go to Teams settings and find the “General” tab. Look for the “Default meeting view” option.

Select “Together mode” from the list. Now every meeting you join will start in together mode. This saves time if you use it frequently.

Note that this setting only applies to your account. Other participants will still see their own default view. The host can override this during a meeting.

Customizing The Scene

Together mode comes with several scenes. The default is an auditorium, but you can choose others. To change the scene, click on the “View” button and select “Change scene.”

Options include a conference room, a coffee shop, and a library. Some scenes are designed for specific team sizes. The coffee shop works well for small groups, while the auditorium is better for larger ones.

You can also upload custom backgrounds if your organization allows it. Check with your IT admin for availability. Custom scenes can include your company logo or brand colors.

Benefits Of Using Together Mode

Together mode offers several benefits for remote teams. It improves engagement and reduces meeting fatigue. Here are the main advantages.

Better eye contact: The AI positions faces so they appear to look at each other. This makes conversations feel more natural.
Reduced distractions: Without messy backgrounds, you focus on people’s faces. This helps you stay present in the meeting.
Increased inclusion: Everyone appears in the same space, regardless of their actual location. This reduces the feeling of being left out.
Fun factor: The virtual scenes add a playful element to meetings. Teams often enjoy the novelty of together mode.

Studies show that together mode can reduce cognitive load. When you see people in a shared space, your brain processes social cues more easily. This leads to better collaboration.

Reducing Meeting Fatigue

Video calls can be exhausting. Your brain works harder to process visual information. Together mode simplifies this by creating a consistent visual environment.

Instead of scanning a grid of faces, you look at a single scene. This reduces the mental effort required. Many users report feeling less tired after meetings in together mode.

For long meetings, together mode can be a game changer. It keeps participants engaged without overwhelming them. Try it for your next hour-long team meeting.

Improving Team Connection

Remote teams often struggle with connection. Together mode helps bridge that gap. When you see colleagues in a virtual room, you feel more connected to them.

This is especially important for new team members. They can see everyone in one place, which helps them feel part of the group. It also makes it easier to read non-verbal cues.

Team bonding activities work better in together mode. Virtual games or icebreakers feel more interactive. The shared space creates a sense of togetherness.

When To Avoid Together Mode

Together mode is not perfect for every situation. There are times when it is better to use gallery view or presenter mode. Here are some scenarios to avoid.

Very large meetings: With more than 50 participants, the scene becomes cluttered. People’s faces get too small to see clearly.
Screen sharing: If you are sharing a presentation or document, together mode can be distracting. The shared scene takes up space that could show content.
One-on-one calls: For two people, together mode adds unnecessary complexity. Gallery view works just fine.
Low bandwidth: Together mode requires more internet speed. If your connection is slow, it may cause lag or freezing.

Also, avoid together mode if participants have poor lighting. The AI works best with well-lit faces. Dark rooms can make the segmentation look messy.

Technical Limitations

Together mode uses AI that runs on your device. This means it uses CPU and GPU resources. Older computers may overheat or slow down.

If you notice performance issues, switch back to gallery view. You can also close other applications to free up resources. Microsoft recommends a modern processor for the best experience.

Some organizations disable together mode for security reasons. The AI processes video locally, but some companies prefer to limit features. Check with your IT team if you cannot find the option.

Troubleshooting Together Mode

Sometimes together mode does not work as expected. Here are common issues and how to fix them.

Together Mode Not Showing

If you cannot see the together mode option, check your Teams version. You need the latest update. Go to Settings > About Teams and check for updates.

Also, ensure your device meets the minimum requirements. Together mode works on Windows, Mac, and web browsers. Mobile devices do not support it yet.

If the option is still missing, your IT admin may have disabled it. Contact your support team for help.

Poor Video Quality

If faces look blurry or cut off, check your lighting. Sit in a well-lit area with your face clearly visible. Avoid backlighting from windows.

Also, check your internet connection. Together mode needs at least 2 Mbps upload speed. Run a speed test to confirm.

If the problem persists, restart Teams. Sometimes the AI needs a fresh start to work properly.

Participants Not Appearing

If some people are missing from the scene, they may have their video off. Together mode only shows people with video enabled. Ask participants to turn on their cameras.

Also, check if they are using a custom background. Together mode overrides custom backgrounds, but some settings can conflict. Have them reset their background to default.

If the issue continues, try switching to gallery view and back to together mode. This often refreshes the scene.

Best Practices For Together Mode

To get the most out of together mode, follow these tips. They will improve the experience for everyone.

Encourage video use: Together mode works best when everyone has their camera on. Ask participants to enable video before the meeting.
Use good lighting: Sit facing a light source. Avoid shadows on your face. This helps the AI segment you correctly.
Keep backgrounds simple: Even though together mode removes your background, a clean space helps the AI. Avoid cluttered areas behind you.
Test before important meetings: Try together mode in a test call first. This ensures everything works smoothly.
Set expectations: Let participants know you will use together mode. This helps them prepare their setup.

For Meeting Hosts

As a host, you can set together mode for everyone. This ensures a consistent experience. To do this, go to the meeting options and select “Together mode” as the default view.

You can also lock the view so participants cannot switch. This is useful for formal presentations. Be careful not to force it on people who prefer other views.

During the meeting, monitor the chat for feedback. Some people may have technical issues. Be ready to switch back to gallery view if needed.

For Participants

If you are a participant, you can choose your own view. Even if the host sets together mode, you can switch to gallery view. Just click the view button and select your preference.

Make sure your camera is positioned at eye level. This helps the AI place you correctly in the scene. Avoid looking down at your screen.

Also, mute your microphone when not speaking. Together mode does not affect audio, but background noise can distract others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Together Mode On Teams And How Does It Work?

Together mode is a feature that uses AI to place meeting participants into a shared virtual background. It works by digitally removing each person from their real environment and placing them into a scene like an auditorium or conference room.

Can I Use Together Mode On Mobile?

No, together mode is not available on mobile devices. It only works on desktop and web versions of Teams. Microsoft may add mobile support in the future.

Does Together Mode Work With Custom Backgrounds?

Together mode overrides custom backgrounds. When you enable it, the AI ignores your chosen background and places you in the shared scene. You cannot use a custom background with together mode.

Why Is Together Mode Not Available In My Meeting?

This could be due to an outdated Teams version, low bandwidth, or IT restrictions. Check for updates and ensure your device meets the requirements. Contact your IT admin if the option is missing.

Can I Record A Meeting In Together Mode?

Yes, you can record meetings in together mode. The recording will show the shared scene with all participants. This is great for creating engaging meeting recaps.

Final Thoughts

Together mode is a powerful tool for making remote meetings feel more human. It uses AI to create a shared space that reduces distractions and improves connection. Whether you are hosting a team meeting or a company all-hands, this feature can transform the experience.

Remember to check your device compatibility and internet speed before using it. Encourage participants to use video and good lighting. With a little preparation, together mode can make your meetings more engaging and less tiring.

Try it out in your next team meeting. You might be surprised at how much more connected you feel. And if you run into issues, refer back to this guide for troubleshooting tips.

Together mode is not a magic solution, but it is a step in the right direction. As remote work continues to grow, features like this will become more important. Microsoft continues to improve it, so stay tuned for updates.

Now you know what is together mode on teams and how to use it effectively. Go ahead and give it a try. Your team will thank you.