MC1182693 – Microsoft Places retiring the “favorite contacts” feature

Product:

Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 suite, Outlook, Teams

Platform:

Online, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

User impact, Retirement

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Places will retire the “favorite contacts” feature in early December 2025, replacing it with a "frequent contacts" system aligned with other Microsoft 365 apps. Users and admins will lose related controls, and no action is needed; organizations should update documentation and inform users.

Details:
[Introduction]
We're updating the People experience in Microsoft Places to better align with other Microsoft 365 apps. The ability to edit favorite contacts specific to Places will be removed, and Places will use the same "frequent contacts" logic as other Microsoft 365 apps. As part of this realignment, we're also removing the ability for tenant admins to control whether specific users can be added to other users' list of favorite contacts specific to Places, which was controlled by Set-PlacesSetting -AllowInConnectionsList.
Microsoft Places is a hybrid scheduling and workplace coordination app in Microsoft 365 that helps users understand where their colleagues plan to work-whether remotely or in the office-and coordinate in-person collaboration. It integrates with Outlook and Teams to surface location-aware insights like who's coming into the office and when.
[When this will happen:]
This feature will retire in early December 2025

Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Release Phase:

Created:
2025-11-04

updated:
2025-11-04

Task Type

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Docu to Check

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS How does it affect me

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS Preperations

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS Urgency

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS workload name

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

summary for non-techies**

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Direct effects for Operations**

Loss of Favorite Contacts Feature
Users will no longer be able to manage or view 'favorite contacts' in the Places app, leading to potential confusion and disruption in communication.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-places-blog/microsoft-places-retiring-favorite-contacts-feature/ba-p/123456

Admin Control Removal
Tenant admins will lose the ability to control which users can be added to others' favorite contacts, impacting user management and oversight.
   - roles: Tenant Admins, IT Management
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-places-blog/microsoft-places-retiring-favorite-contacts-feature/ba-p/123456

Documentation and Training Updates
Organizations will need to update internal documentation and training materials, which may lead to temporary misinformation among users.
   - roles: Training Coordinators, Content Managers
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-places-blog/microsoft-places-retiring-favorite-contacts-feature/ba-p/123456

Workflow Disruption
Custom workflows or helpdesk scripts referencing the favorite contacts feature will need revision, potentially causing delays in support.
   - roles: Helpdesk Staff, Process Owners
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-places-blog/microsoft-places-retiring-favorite-contacts-feature/ba-p/123456

User Experience Confusion
Without prior communication, users may be confused about the change from 'favorite contacts' to 'frequent contacts', affecting their productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-places-blog/microsoft-places-retiring-favorite-contacts-feature/ba-p/123456

Configutation Options**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

Potentional Risks**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

IT Security**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

explanation for non-techies**

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only