Microsoft just removed support for this popular Teams feature
Breakout Rooms are no longer an option in private channels on Microsoft Teams.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
Microsoft has cut support for Breakout Rooms in private channels in Microsoft Teams. Breakout Rooms first rolled out in December 2020, and have been a popular feature since their launch.
A user in aTech Community threadexplains that their organization used Breakout Rooms in private channels for months, but no longer sees the option (viaOnMSFT).
A different user shared clarification from Microsoft Premier support on the topic. Microsoft’s phrasing on the feature being removed is a bit confusing:
Microsoft’s phrasing suggests that there are technical limitations preventing private channels from being able to use Breakout Rooms. There’s a chance that there has been a change, as the feature previously worked for some people.
There seems to be some debate regarding if Breakout Rooms were ever supported in private channels in Teams.
KrisVB states in the same Tech Community thread,
The Microsoft representative who is handling my support ticket didn’t seem to realize at first that breakout rooms wouldn’t work in private channels (they had me screenshare and create test teams and meetings to see the issue). Then after a few days they told me that the breakout rooms had never been and aren’t available in private channels. After I assured them we had been using breakout rooms for months, now will check more to find out “why it was working before the update.” …almost as if MS didn’t know about it? I just hope they reverse this situation and allow breakout rooms in all meetings - its an essential feature.
If the feature was never supported, Microsoft stating that it “was removed” wouldn’t make sense. Additionally, several people claim to have used the feature previously.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Microsoft Teams provides several ways to communicate with colleagues, coworkers, friends, and families. Due to a recent change, Breakout Rooms within private channels are no longer among those options.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
