![Microsoft Teams: Send messages to attendees in the meeting lobby with Lobby chat [MC1069555]](https://mwpro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/pexels-pachon-in-motion-426015731-26559443-1024x683.webp "Microsoft Teams: Send messages to attendees in the meeting lobby with Lobby chat [MC1069555] 1")
Message ID: MC1069555
Coming soon for Microsoft Teams: Meeting organizers and co-organizers will be able to send one-way messages to attendees in the meeting lobby using the Lobby chat. The Lobby chat is intended to optimize the lobby experience for all participants, ensuring that organizers are better equipped to run external meetings and external attendees are well informed about the meeting when it begins. This feature is on by default and admins can choose to disable it in the Teams admin center (TAC).
This message applies to Teams on Windows desktop, Teams on Mac desktop, and Teams for iOS/Android.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 480716.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out mid-June 2025 and expect to complete by late June 2025.
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out late June 2025 and expect to complete by mid-July 2025.
[How this will affect your organization:]
Admin controls: After this rollout, the policy for Lobby chat will be on by default in the TAC. Admins can enable or disable Lobby chat with a meeting policy in the TAC. Under Meeting policies > Global (Org-wide default) > Meeting engagement, admins will find a new toggle option for Organizers can chat with lobby participant. When the option is enabled, participants who can’t bypass the lobby due to meeting policy will be able to view messages sent by the organizer in a Lobby chat. To enable this policy, Meeting chat in the TAC must be set to On for everyone or On for everyone but anonymous users.
Meeting organizer/co-organizer experience: When someone joins the lobby, the meeting organizer/co-organizer will see a new Lobby tab in their Chat experience (meeting chat, one-on-one chat, or group chats). The meeting organizer/co-organizer will be able to send one-way messages to attendees in the lobby in the Lobby tab:
Lobby attendee experience: When the meeting organizer/co-organizer sends a message to the lobby, a new Lobby chat panel will open in the right panel of the pre-join screen and display the message. Lobby attendees cannot reply to these messages:
[What you need to do to prepare:]
This rollout will happen automatically by the specified dates with no admin action required before the rollout. You may want to notify your users about this change and update any relevant documentation.
For tenants where Meeting chat in the TAC is set to On for everyone or On for everyone but anonymous users, admins should assess the impact of the Lobby chat feature and update meeting policy settings as needed to suit their organization’s requirements.
Source: Microsoft
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The upcoming update to Microsoft Teams, allowing meeting organizers and co-organizers to send one-way messages to attendees in the lobby via Lobby chat, is a game-changer for both admins and users. Picture this: you’re waiting in the lobby, perhaps contemplating the meaning of life or just trying to remember if you left the oven on, and suddenly, a message from the organizer pops up, letting you know the meeting is about to start. It’s like having a friendly guide ushering you into the meeting, removing that awkward silence and uncertainty.
For admins, this feature offers enhanced control and engagement options. The default setting for Lobby chat will be on, but they can easily toggle it off if they prefer a quieter lobby experience. This flexibility means that admins can tailor the experience based on their organization’s needs, ensuring that they maintain the right balance between communication and privacy.
On the user side, the Lobby chat panel will help set expectations and reduce confusion. Attendees can stay informed about meeting start times and any last-minute changes, all while being unable to reply, which could save us from the dreaded “Can you hear me?” moments before the meeting even begins.
The impact of these changes is likely to be significant. By streamlining communication, we can expect a smoother transition into meetings, potentially leading to more productive discussions right from the start. Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t appreciate a little humor or a friendly reminder while waiting in a digital lobby?
As we gear up for this rollout in mid to late June 2025, it’s a great opportunity for organizations to take a moment to reflect on their meeting policies and consider how this feature can enhance their virtual collaboration.
What do you think? Are you excited about the Lobby chat feature? How do you think it will change your meeting experiences? Share your thoughts below! And for more insights on Microsoft Teams and other updates, be sure to check out more posts at mwpro.co.uk.