Microsoft Teams introduces the new Skin Tones for users, but there is a drawback to it

Microsoft has announced new Skin Tone Settings and reactions for Microsoft Teams. The new feature allows users to select a skin tone for their emojis and reactions in chats, meetings, and channels.

In a blog post by Katherine Lu, the company wrote: “Customizing your skin tone in emojis and reactions enables you to represent your physical appearance better and express yourself more authentically in virtual meetings and conversations. It contributes to a more inclusive, personalized, and engaging experience.”

The new feature is available in Microsoft Teams settings under Appearance and accessibility and lets users choose their preferred skin tone for emojis and reactions. Users can also customize the skin tone of an emoji or reaction by hovering over the emoji in the emoji menu and clicking the “Customize” button.

Microsoft says that the skin tone settings are consistent across various clients on Windows, macOS, web, Android, and iOS, ensuring a consistent experience for users regardless of their device.

The feature is available to users in the Teams public preview and Microsoft 365 targeted release on all platforms but only in the new Teams client for Windows, macOS, web, Android, and iOS.

The company notes that other meeting participants don’t have to be members of the Teams public preview to see customized emojis and reactions; however, they won’t be able to customize their own skin tones until the feature becomes generally available.

In other news, Microsoft Teams finally introduced the unified chat and channels experience, which will allow users to catch up more easily and quickly with all of the conversations going on in their organization.