Mastering Together Mode in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams’ Together Mode is a feature that brings remote teams together by placing everyone’s video feed onto a shared virtual background. This innovative technology enhances team collaboration and helps to create a more immersive meeting experience.
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What is The Together Mode on Microsoft Teams?
The Together Mode on Microsoft Teams is a video conferencing feature that consolidates everyone’s video feed into a single virtual background, creating the illusion that everyone is in the same room.
This mode is designed to make virtual meetings more personal and engaging by simulating an in-person interaction among participants. Instead of each participant appearing in their own separate box, the Together Mode places everyone’s video feeds in the same shared space.
This feature is particularly useful for large group meetings, where it can be challenging to keep everyone engaged. With the Together Mode, participants can see each other more clearly and can better read facial expressions and body language, making it easier to pick up on important nuances in the conversation.
The Together Mode has different virtual environments to choose from, such as classrooms, auditoriums, and coffee shops, that you can utilize throughout the meeting.
Note that not all Microsoft Teams plan offers the Together Mode feature. Check your plan if it’s available.
How to Use Microsoft Teams Together Mode?
Microsoft Teams Together Mode is a new feature that brings a more engaging and personal touch to virtual meetings. Together Mode allows users to appear in a shared virtual background, so it feels that everyone is in the same room despite being in different locations.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to enable Together Mode:
Step 1: Join a Call
The first step is to join a call on Microsoft Teams. This can be done by opening the Teams application and clicking on the calendar tab.
From there, select the meeting you wish to join and click “Join” to enter the meeting.
Step 2: Enable Together Mode
Once you are in the meeting, click the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen. Select “Together Mode(Preview)” from the dropdown list.
You will then be prompted to select a shared virtual background for your meeting. Choose the background you prefer and click “Apply” to enable Together Mode.
Step 3: Enjoy Together Mode
Now that Together Mode is enabled, all participants’ video feeds will be displayed in a shared virtual background. You will feel as if everyone is in the same room with you.
Enjoy a more engaging and personal virtual meeting experience with Together Mode.
Here are some tips and tricks to optimize your Together Mode experience:
Tip 1: Choose the Right Virtual Background
To get the most out of Together Mode, choose a shared virtual background that is appropriate for your meeting. The background should be relevant to the meeting’s theme and should not distract the participants from the meeting agenda.
Tip 2: Use a Good Camera and Lighting
To ensure that your video feed looks good in Together Mode, use a high-quality camera and ensure that you are well-lit. Poor lighting can make it difficult for other participants to see you clearly, and in turn, reduce the effectiveness of Together Mode.
Tip 3: Avoid Distractions and Interruptions
During the meeting, try to avoid any distractions and interruptions. Ensure that your microphone is muted when you are not speaking, and avoid multitasking during the meeting.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Here are some common issues that you might encounter while using Together Mode and how to fix them:
Issue 1: Video Feeds Are Not Displayed in Together Mode
If the video feeds of participants are not displayed in Together Mode, ensure that you have enabled Together Mode and that you have selected the right virtual background. If the issue persists, try leaving the meeting and rejoining it.
Issue 2: Poor Video Quality in Together Mode
If the video quality is poor in Together Mode, try adjusting the camera and lighting settings. Also, check your internet connection as poor connectivity can reduce video quality.
Overall, Together Mode is an excellent feature for making virtual meetings more personal and engaging. By following these tips and tricks and troubleshooting common issues, you can make the most out of Together Mode on Microsoft Teams.
When You Should, and Shouldn’t Use It
To fully enjoy the benefits of Microsoft Teams, it is important to understand when to use the Together Mode feature. This feature is suitable for virtual meetings and events that require collaboration and active participation among its attendees.
Together Mode brings a new level of engagement to your Teams meetings, creating a feeling of togetherness despite being in different locations.
However, there may be situations where Together Mode is not suitable, such as when presenting complex data or sharing sensitive information that cannot be shown on a virtual background. Additionally, attendees who may get motion sickness or easily distracted may not be comfortable with the Together Mode.
There are alternatives to Together Mode that may better suit certain use cases, such as the Gallery View that displays participants individually or the Speaker View that displays the active speaker in a larger view.
Can There be Any Drawback to using the Teams’ Together Mode?
If you are wondering whether it is all sunshine and rainbows for Teams Together Mode, there are some potential drawbacks to consider.
One potential drawback of using Together Mode is internet connectivity concerns. Having all video feeds together in one shared virtual background can put substantial demand on your internet connection causing lags or delays during the call, which can reduce the quality of user experience.
Another issue could be privacy and security concerns. Though Teams Together Mode is a great way to bring everyone together in a shared background, some users may be uncomfortable with other participants seeing their homes or personal belongings that appear in their video feed.
Privacy considerations must be taken into account when selecting a virtual background and joining a call.
To avoid connectivity issues, it is recommended to connect to a stable, high-speed internet connection and close any unused apps running on your device. To ensure privacy and security, it is recommended to use a neutral or company-approved virtual background that doesn’t reveal sensitive information about your surroundings, and verify the meeting participants before sharing your video feed.
Enjoying Together Mode
To make virtual meetings more engaging and collaborative, Microsoft Teams offers a Together Mode feature. This feature puts everyone’s video feed together onto a shared virtual background, making it seem like participants are sitting in the same room.
To use Together Mode on Teams, simply join a call and choose “Together Mode (Preview)”. You will be prompted to select a virtual background which will be visible to all participants.
One of the best practices for creating an enjoyable and productive Together Mode experience is to encourage engagement and collaboration. Participants can use features such as raising hands or reacting with emojis, to make the meeting more interactive.
To make the most out of Together Mode for teams, it’s also important to have a smaller group size with less than 49 participants. This will ensure that everyone is visible on the screen and can fully engage in the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Together Mode in Microsoft Teams?
How do I use Together Mode in Microsoft Teams?
What is the maximum number of participants in Together Mode?
Why should I use Together Mode?
Are there any reasons I may choose not to use Together Mode?
Conclusion
The Together Mode in Microsoft Teams is a powerful feature that allows you to create a shared virtual background, putting everyone’s video feeds together in one view. It can make virtual meetings feel more personal, productive, and fun, with benefits such as less fatigue from frequent video meetings, a better sense of connection with others, and more effective collaboration.
By selecting Together Mode (Preview) in the Teams call and choosing a virtual background, you can experience all these benefits and more. However, note that Together Mode currently supports up to 49 participants, so it may not be suitable for big meetings.
