Microsoft Teams to Finally Let Users React with Multiple Emojis After Years of Waiting

Microsoft Teams, the popular communication hub in the Microsoft 365 suite, is about to get a small but long-awaited upgrade. Starting next month, users will be able to react to messages with multiple emojis — a feature rival Slack has offered for ages. This comes after years of user requests and complaints about Teams lagging behind other platforms in adding fun, expressive options.

It may seem like a minor tweak, but for many Teams users, it’s a sign that Microsoft is finally paying attention to feedback beyond quick fixes and bug patches. Let’s take a closer look at how this update came about, why it matters, and what it means for the future of Teams.

The Emoji Gap: How Teams Has Fallen Behind

Microsoft Teams has been the cornerstone of many workplaces’ collaboration for years, especially since the pandemic pushed remote work into overdrive. But even with its widespread use, it has had its fair share of hiccups. File-sharing glitches, random outages, and sluggish rollout of requested features have left some users frustrated.

Take emojis, for instance. They’re more than just cute icons. Emojis act as quick, expressive tools for communication — sometimes saying more than a whole sentence. Slack, Microsoft Teams’ main competitor, has supported multiple emoji reactions on a single message for years, allowing users to add layers of meaning and emotion without cluttering chats with extra replies.

Microsoft Teams, however, until now, allowed only one emoji reaction per message. This meant if you wanted to show laughter and surprise, or agreement and excitement, you had to pick just one or spam the chat with extra replies. This limitation seemed minor but rubbed many users the wrong way.

One frustrated redditor summed it up on r/MicrosoftTeams, “Why can’t we just have more than one emoji like Slack? It’s 2025, Microsoft!”

The New Emoji Feature: What to Expect

Microsoft officially announced the upcoming feature on its Microsoft 365 Roadmap (Feature ID: 491468). Here’s the gist: users will soon be able to react to a single message or post with multiple emojis. This means if your teammate posts a hilarious joke, you can respond with a laughing face and a thumbs-up in one go.

The company says this will allow for “richer” and “more nuanced” responses. That’s not just corporate jargon — it’s actually useful in fast-moving chats where people want to express a mix of feelings quickly.

Interestingly, Microsoft hasn’t revealed the maximum number of emojis you can use per message reaction yet. But since Teams supports a vast emoji library, the options will be pretty broad.

The rollout plan looks like this:

• June 2025: Preview version available to some users

• Later in June 2025: General availability for everyone

So, if you’re itching to try it out, keep an eye on those updates next month.

Why Has It Taken So Long?

You might be wondering, why did it take Microsoft this long to catch up? After all, Slack had this feature years ago, and even Skype (Microsoft’s former communication platform) supported multiple emoji reactions.

One possible reason is that Teams’ development has been focused heavily on enterprise features, integrations, and security. While those are critical, smaller “fun” features often got pushed down the priority list.

Moreover, Microsoft’s infamous history with slow feature rollouts means that even widely requested improvements take time. The company’s user feedback portal has seen thousands of requests for multiple emoji reactions over the years. Yet, it took Microsoft until now to commit to delivering it.

Some experts say Microsoft waited until Skype was discontinued, freeing up resources and reducing overlap. Teams is now the sole flagship product for workplace communication, so it makes sense to bolster it with features users actually want.

User Reactions: Mixed Feelings and Cautious Optimism

Reactions on social media and forums show a mix of excitement and skepticism. Many Teams users are glad the feature is finally coming, while others remain cautious, given Microsoft’s tendency to delay updates or roll out buggy features.

A quick glance at Reddit’s r/MicrosoftTeams thread shows users celebrating the news but also joking about past disappointments:

“Well, at least it’s happening now and not in 2027!”

“Better late than never, I guess. Next, can we get better file sharing?”

The sentiment is clear: users want Microsoft to listen more actively and move faster on these smaller but impactful improvements.

How This Fits Into Microsoft’s Broader Strategy

This update is just one among many in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to refine Teams. Earlier this year, Microsoft rolled out features like better OneDrive navigation, Google Workspace calendar integration, and even DVR support for Town Halls.

Microsoft is also pushing AI-powered tools like 365 Copilot inside Teams to boost productivity. But sometimes, it’s the little things — like emoji reactions — that can improve daily user experience the most.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some recent Teams improvements to put the emoji update in perspective:

So, while Microsoft catches up on emojis, it’s simultaneously building new capabilities for a diverse user base. The company appears to be balancing enterprise-grade features with user-requested quality-of-life updates.

Microsoft Teams’ move to support multiple emoji reactions may seem small, but it signals a shift toward listening more carefully to user feedback. If all goes well, this fun little upgrade will help conversations feel a bit more natural and expressive — exactly what users have been asking for, for years.