Microsoft Teams: Initiate side conversations within the meeting chat window
Rollout
- Roadmap
- 573156
- Platforms
- Android, Desktop, iOS, Mac, Web
Rollout dates are often only in the text. When Microsoft moves them, the change shows under "What changed".
What the notice says
Microsoft's text, with its sections, lists and tables; source markup removedWhat and Why
Microsoft Teams will enable meeting participants to start and continue one-to-one or small-group conversations directly from the meeting chat experience. Users can create a side conversation without leaving the meeting context, helping them coordinate, ask questions, share information, and collaborate in parallel while keeping the main meeting discussion focused.
Rollout Schedule
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out in early January 2027 and expect to complete in early January 2027.
Impact on Your Organization
Users will be able to start or continue private 1:1 and group chats directly from the meeting chat experience, without leaving the meeting window. Existing chat history is preserved, so conversations remain part of the user’s regular Teams chat history.
Action Required/Recommendations
No admin action is required. This feature does not introduce a new chat surface, admin policy, or meeting option. Users can turn off the side-chat tab experience if they prefer not to use it.
Compliance considerations
No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.
What changed
Between the versions this installation saw, newest firstOnly details this page does not show changed.
- · first version seen
Linked documentation
Microsoft pages the notice links toThe notice links to no Microsoft Learn or Support page that this installation reads.
Related public evidence
- Vendor roadmap · 2 Oct 2026Microsoft Teams: Start side conversations during meetings
Not confirmed here
What this page cannot tell you- Whether your tenant is affected: this is Microsoft's notice, not a check of your settings.
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