M365 Changelog: (Updated) Teams admin center – Teams Devices: Update Phases for Firmware auto-updates

MC495884 – Updated February 7, 2023: Microsoft has updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.

Microsoft is making some changes to the way firmware auto-updates are managed for Android-based Teams devices.

You are receiving this message because our reporting indicates one or more users in your organization are using Teams devices. Administrators using Teams admin center to manage these devices will see some changes for Phones, panels, displays, and Teams Rooms on Android devices.

When this will happen:

These updates will start rolling out in early-January 2023 and expect to be complete by late February (previously late January).

How this will affect your organization:

The following changes will occur:

• New names for automatic update phases
  • Select a device (Android-based) from the device list and select Update. Under the section Firmware auto-update, you can select a phase to be assigned to the device.
    • Test – This option is best for lab or test devices. Updates start as soon as the latest firmware is released. Previously called As soon as possible.
    • General– This is the default option and is best for your general-purpose devices. Updates start after 30 days have elapsed from the release of the new firmware. Previously called Defer by 30 days.
    • Final – This option is best for devices used by VIPs and in large settings. Updates start only after 90 days have elapsed from the release of the new firmware. Previously called Defer by 90 days.
  • A new ‘Firmware auto-update‘ column in the device list under the sections Devices > Teams Rooms on Android, Phones, Panels, Phones, and Displays. The column displays the phase that has been assigned to the device. You can click the phase name to open the Update section.
  • Ability to select multiple devices and assign them an update phase.

• A new ‘Auto-update phase‘ filter

What you need to do to prepare:

When these changes take effect, there is no action required from your end. Any configurations made prior to this change will not be impacted other than the change in phase name. For example, if you had configured firmware auto-update frequency for a device as ‘Defer by 90 days‘, it will now appear to be in ‘Final‘ phase. The behavior will remain the same as before.

To learn more, please visit this page.

Additional information