Microsoft Teams overhaul brings chats and channels together

Microsoft Teams is introducing a major redesign that changes the app’s structure and consolidates chatting features. The traditional “Teams” section will be removed in this update, with all chats, channels, and team interactions now housed under a single “Chats” header. While teams will still exist, they’ll no longer have a dedicated section. This update, available in public preview on iOS, Android, and desktop in November, aims to streamline the user experience.

The new design also includes an onboarding process that allows users to customize the app’s layout. Users can add chats, channels, meetings, and AI tools sections, with a favorites section for pinned items. Microsoft has detailed these changes in a blog and tech post, which outline options to separate or combine chats and channels as needed. Additionally, an “@mentions” view will centralize all mentions for easier tracking and response.

While the update offers more flexibility and customization, reactions are mixed. As Teams expert Tom Arbuthnot suggests, this could be the app’s biggest overhaul yet, and some users may resist change. Similar to past experiences with Windows OS updates, users may find it difficult to adapt, even if the new design offers advantages.

For those who prefer the old setup, there will be options to keep chats and channels separate, ensuring some familiarity in the new layout. This shift underscores Microsoft’s move towards a more unified, customizable Teams experience.