Summary
- Microsoft Teams on Mac VDI is moving from legacy WebRTC-based media optimization (Citrix HDX Media Optimized / AVD Media Optimized) to the new Teams VDI optimization.
- The change applies to Mac endpoints used with Citrix and Azure Virtual Desktop / Windows 365; it does not apply to Linux, mobile, HTML5, or Mac with Omnissa Horizon.
- Microsoft will stop supporting and later stop providing the legacy optimization, after which Teams on Mac VDI will use the new optimization or fall back to server-side rendering if the new path cannot be used.
- IT should verify Mac VDI deployments meet the required Teams, Citrix Workspace app, Mac plugin, and Windows App for Mac versions, and update networking, support readiness, and documentation.
- For AVD / Windows 365 on Mac, the App Store Windows App cannot use the new optimization, so users must use the non-Store Windows App.
Primary Service: Teams
Admin Impact: High
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 01 Apr 2027
Release End: 01 Sept 2027
Services: Mac, Teams, VDI, Windows 365
Category: Plan for change
Tags: Admin Action, Feature Update
History
9/28/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
Microsoft is retiring the legacy media optimization ‘Citrix HDX Media Optimized’ and ‘AVD Media Optimized’ for Microsoft Teams on Mac VDI endpoints and transitioning customers to the new Teams VDI optimization.
The new VDI optimization for Mac endpoints uses the same media engine (SlimCore) as the native Microsoft Teams desktop client. This enables advanced meeting capabilities, reduced call setup times, improved diagnostics, and simplified servicing while eliminating dependency on third-party WebRTC components.
This change applies only to Mac-based endpoints connecting to Citrix and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) / Windows 365.
It does not affect Linux, mobile, HTML5, or other endpoint platforms, and it does not affect Mac endpoints connecting to Omnissa Horizon environments.
If you are an AVD or Windows 365 customer, please note that the Windows App from the App Store cannot leverage the new optimization. Hence users must transition to the non-Store Windows App (sometimes called the MAU Client, see info below).
Rollout schedule
The legacy WebRTC-based optimization will reach end of support on April 1, 2027, and end of availability on September 1, 2027.
Impact on your organization
This change affects organizations using Microsoft Teams in VDI on Mac endpoints, specifically tenants that have not fully migrated to the new VDI optimization.
Affected platforms and services include:
- Citrix environments with HDX Media Optimization
- Windows 365 with AVD Media Optimization
- Mac endpoints
This change does not affect:
- Omnissa Horizon environments
- Linux, mobile, or HTML5 endpoints
Users may see the following in-product notifications:
- Starting in February 2027, a dismissible modal dialog about the April 1, 2027 end of support date.
- Starting in July 2027, a dismissible modal dialog about the September 1, 2027 end of availability date.
The legacy optimization (Citrix HDX Media Optimization and AVD Media Optimization) will continue to work until end of availability.
After September 1, 2027:
- Users will automatically transition to the new optimization with no admin configuration required.
- WebRTC-based optimization will no longer function on MAC.
- Optimization policies related to the legacy optimization, such as policies in Citrix Studio, will no longer take effect for MAC endpoints.
- All Teams media processing in VDI will use the new optimization architecture.
- If Teams cannot use the new VDI solution, Teams will fall back to server-side rendering.
What you need to do to prepare
Review your Citrix and Windows 365 VDI deployments and confirm that the new VDI solution for Teams is in use.
Ensure Mac endpoints meet the minimum requirements for the new Teams optimization for Mac:
- Microsoft Teams version 26225.1806.5074.1452 or later. The latest version is recommended.
- Citrix Workspace app for Mac version 2508.10 or later. Microsoft recommends version 2609 because it helps with automatic installation of the plugin.
- Mac plugin 2026.35.1.1 or later. Download the latest plugin from https://aka.ms/macplugin.
- For AVD / Windows 365, Windows App for Mac version 11.4.2, non-App Store version. Download the latest version from https://aka.ms/RDMacMAU.
We recommend that you:
- Review the networking section in the main VDI article and discuss any required updates with your networking team.
- Update Mac endpoints to meet the minimum requirements listed above.
- Monitor adoption and optimization status using the Teams Client Health dashboard and the Call Quality Dashboard.
- Notify your helpdesk, support teams, VDI administrators, and users who rely on Teams in Citrix or Windows 365 environments.
- Update internal documentation that references Teams as AVD/Citrix media optimized.
Learn more:
- New VDI solution for Teams
- Teams Client Health Dashboard
- Call Quality Dashboard in VDI