Short Version
Microsoft is updating how Teams calculates and how ‘badge counts’ indicate unread messages. Due early to mid-May 2026.
Details
A badge count is the number displayed in the Teams app and navigation that indicates how many unread messages or notifications require your attention. This update aims to introduce clearer visual indicators.
Your Quick views will show a large purple dot with a number indicating the total number of unread items (1). Individual chats and channels will show a small purple dot (2), indicating they contain unread items that are included in the Quick view number:
The following bullet points are from Microsoft’s message centre post about this change:
- Users may notice a change in their overall Teams badge count.
- Users may notice a change in chat badge counts (and Teams badge counts when using split-app mode).
- The new badge count is calculated as the sum of:
- Unread, unmuted chats
- Unread personal mentions
- Unread followed threads
- Unread tag mentions
- Unread, unmuted chats in the chat list will display a purple dot to indicate they contribute to the badge count.
- In Quick views, Mentions, Followed threads, and Tag mentions will display a purple number showing how many unread items contribute to the badge count.
- Mention charms and Important charms will be removed from the chat and channels list to simplify the experience.
- The feature is enabled by default and does not require admin configuration.
Availability
Due early to mid-May 2026.
Source, related links, and references
MC1268911.
365 Roadmap ID 559612.
Image(s): Microsoft.
See what’s new in Teams.
Related: New controls for Quick views, such as Mentions and Followed threads – Super Simple 365.
Page originally published
14th April 2026, and kept up to date.
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