Step-by-Step: How to Use the New Message Saving Feature in Microsoft Teams

Introduction

In fast‑moving Teams conversations (especially in group chats or channels), important messages—links, instructions, meeting notes—can quickly slip away down the scroll. The new “Save Message” feature addresses exactly that problem: letting you “bookmark” or flag messages you want to refer back to, without needing to memorize or search repeatedly.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to use this feature, across platforms, along with tips, caveats, and potential issues to watch out for.

What Is the “Save Message” Feature in Microsoft Teams

The “Save Message” feature allows users to mark a particular chat message, reply, or channel post so that it’s easier to find and revisit later.

Key characteristics:

• When you “save” a message, it gets added to a Saved list or section.

• From that saved list, you can click the saved message and it will open the full conversation thread (in context) so you can see where it came from. Microsoft Support+2cloudbik.com+2

• You can later unsave messages if you no longer need them. Microsoft Support

• The saved message is, in effect, a copy or pointer. If the original message is edited or deleted, those changes may reflect (or in the case of deletion, a note may appear) in the saved list. Microsoft Support+2Topedia Blog+2

• The feature works across chats, channels, and replies in threads. Topedia Blog+2cloudbik.com+2

In effect, it functions like a personal bookmark or “read later” list for Teams messages.

Why the Feature Matters — Use Cases & Benefits

Why is this feature useful? Here are scenarios and benefits:

• Quick access to important info: Suppose someone sends a link to a shared document, or gives instructions in a meeting chat. By saving it, you can quickly jump back to it without hunting through sometimes lengthy chat history.

• Reduce cognitive load: You don’t need to remember “which chat was that in, under which date.” The saved list consolidates them into one place.

• Organizational use: In busy teams, many messages flow. As a team member, you can flag ones relevant to your tasks, without jamming pins or cluttering chat.

• Retention of context: When you click a saved message, the original thread opens so you can see surrounding messages, not just the isolated text. Microsoft Support+1

• Temporary bookmarking: Use it during meetings or projects to mark a few messages you know you’ll want to revisit, then later clean up your saved list.

• No admin overhead: The feature is user‑level; no admin action is needed to enable it. west.jcteams.info+1

Because Teams is often used for collaboration, project threads, and dynamic communication, this feature neatly fills a gap many users felt was missing (or missing in the “New Teams” version) until now.

Rollout & Availability (When & Where)

It’s important to understand when and where this feature is (or will be) available, and what to expect.

Rollout Timeline

• Microsoft began rolling out the “Save message” capability to Teams in early August 2025 (Targeted Release) and expected to complete the rollout by mid‑August. west.jcteams.info+2cloudbik.com+2

• For general availability (wide rollout across all tenants and users globally), Microsoft anticipated a rollout from late August to early September 2025. west.jcteams.info+2supersimple365.com+2

• Because of phased deployment, not all users will see it at the same time. Microsoft Support+1

Platforms Supported

The feature is designed to work across the major Teams platforms:

• Windows (Desktop client)

• macOS (Desktop client)

• Web (Teams in browser)

• Mobile: iOS and Android Topedia Blog+3west.jcteams.info+3supersimple365.com+3

However, there’s an important caveat with mobile, discussed below.

Notes & Caveats

• The feature is enabled by default; admins do not need to turn it on. west.jcteams.info+1

• The “Saved” section only appears once you have at least one saved message. Before that, you may not see the saved list or “Saved” filter. cloudbik.com+2supersimple365.com+2

• Some tenants, like EDU (education), may not get this feature immediately. cloudbik.com+1

• In “New Teams,” the feature is being reintroduced (or restored) after being absent or changed. Topedia Blog+2cloudbik.com+2

• Mobile implementation has had complexities: earlier on, mobile Teams used a “legacy Saved app,” which was somewhat disconnected from the new saved message functionality. Topedia Blog+2cloudbik.com+2

• There have been reports from users that the “Saved Messages” feature is replaced or mapped to something called Bookmarks in some builds of “New Teams.” Microsoft Learn+2Microsoft Q&A+2

• If a message is deleted after being saved, the saved list may show a note like “Message has been deleted by author.” Microsoft Support+2west.jcteams.info+2

Because of these evolving changes and mixed user reports, it’s possible your Teams environment may behave slightly differently than described below.

How to Use “Save Message” — Step‑by‑Step

This section breaks down how to save messages, by platform or method.

5.1 Desktop / Web Client (Windows, macOS, Browser)

Here’s how to save a message in the desktop or web version of Teams:

1. Open Teams and navigate to the chat, channel, or thread where the message you want to save resides.

2. Hover your mouse over the message — when you do that, a small menu bar appears (with icons for reaction, reply, etc.). cloudbik.com+3customguide.com+3Microsoft Support+3

3. In that floating menu, click on “More options” (typically shown as three dots …). Microsoft Support+2west.jcteams.info+2

4. In the menu, choose “Save this message”. west.jcteams.info+3Microsoft Support+3supersimple365.com+3

   • After you do that, the message is saved.

   • In many cases, the message item in the list will show a special icon or indicator that it has been saved. Topedia Blog+3Microsoft Tech Community+3cloudbik.com+3

   • Also, once saved, the Saved section or “Saved” filter appears in your Chat/Teams list. Microsoft Support+2supersimple365.com+2

5. To verify, go to your Chat / Teams list (the left navigation panel). There will be a “Saved” filter or entry (either within Chat or in the list region) showing all your saved messages. Microsoft Support+2supersimple365.com+2

6. Click on a message in the Saved section to view it—Teams will open the thread or chat and highlight or scroll to that message in context. Microsoft Support+2supersimple365.com+2

That’s the basic flow on desktop or browser.

5.2 Mobile (iOS / Android)

Mobile behavior has some quirks due to legacy implementations, but here’s what is known:

1. Open the Teams mobile app (iOS or Android) and go to the chat or channel thread where the message is.

2. Tap and hold (long‑press) on the message you want to save. This reveals a menu (or sometimes a set of actions) including reactions, reply, forward, etc.

3. Among the menu options, look for “Save this message” (or “Save”) — tap it. (Note: in some earlier mobile versions, the “legacy Saved app” was used; messages saved there may not sync to the new desktop/web saved list) Topedia Blog+2cloudbik.com+2

4. To see saved messages, in mobile Teams, you may have to open the Saved app or the Bookmarks section (depending on version) or use the navigation menu to find “Saved.” But as of the latest updates, mobile should be more aligned with the new saved experience. Microsoft Q&A+4Topedia Blog+4cloudbik.com+4

Note: Because of the transition from the legacy Saved app on mobile to the new unified saved message system, there may be discrepancies in what appears on mobile vs desktop, especially for messages saved previously in the legacy system. Topedia Blog+2west.jcteams.info+2

5.3 Keyboard & Accessibility Methods

For users relying on keyboard navigation or assistive technologies (screen readers, etc.), Microsoft provides keyboard and screen reader instructions. Microsoft Support+1

Using Keyboard / Screen Reader (Windows, NVDA, JAWS, etc.)

1. Navigate to the conversation thread using your keyboard (arrow keys, or navigation keys as per your screen reader). Microsoft Support

2. Once focused on the target message, open the message’s “More options” via Tab or arrow navigation until you land on “More options.” Microsoft Support

3. Select “Save this message” with Enter or appropriate command. Microsoft Support

4. To get back, press Esc or use navigation commands.

Finding & Reading Saved Messages via Screen Reader

1. Open the Settings / Profile menu (Ctrl + E or equivalent), then navigate to “Saved messages.” Microsoft Support

2. The list of saved messages appears; use arrow keys or navigation to read items. Microsoft Support

3. Selecting one opens the threaded context. Microsoft Support

These instructions vary a bit by screen reader (JAWS, NVDA, Narrator) and OS, so consult Microsoft’s documentation in case you get different behavior. Microsoft Support

Viewing & Managing Saved Messages

Once you have saved messages, you’ll want to view, filter, and manage them effectively.

Where to Find Saved Messages

• In the Chat or Teams list (left sidebar), a Saved filter or section becomes visible (usually near the top) once you have at least one saved message. Microsoft Support+2cloudbik.com+2

• In some cases, saved messages from chats and from channels may appear under separate sub‑filters (i.e. “Chats” vs “Channels”) or a combined filter, depending on your Teams layout (Combined view vs Separate view). Topedia Blog+1

• On mobile, explore the navigation or “Saved / Bookmarks” area. Depending on your version, it might be in a menu or tab. Topedia Blog+1

Filtering & Searching

• Microsoft provides filters for viewing saved messages from Chats or Channels separately. Microsoft Support+2Topedia Blog+2

• You can also search (using Teams’ search bar) for keywords in saved messages or the original message content. Microsoft Q&A+2Microsoft Learn+2

Viewing in Context

When you click a saved message, Teams opens the chat or channel thread where that message originally belonged, and scrolls to or highlights that message, so you retain context. Microsoft Support+2cloudbik.com+2

Sync Considerations

• The saved messages list should sync across devices (desktop, web).

• However, mobile saved messages may lag or not reflect immediately if there’s a version mismatch or if legacy saved messages were used. Microsoft Q&A+3Topedia Blog+3cloudbik.com+3

Removing / Unsaving Messages

If you no longer need a message in your saved list, you can remove (unsave) it.

How to Unsave

• Navigate to the saved message in your Saved list.

• Hover over the message (or tap in mobile) and choose More options (three dots).

• Then click “Unsave this message” (or “Remove from saved”) from the menu. Microsoft Support

• Alternatively, in the original chat thread, open More options → Unsave this message. Microsoft Support

• The message will then disappear from your saved list.

Notes & Behavior

• Un‑saving does not delete the original message; it merely removes it from your personal saved list.

• If an author edits or deletes a saved message, it may automatically reflect in your saved list (e.g. show “deleted” note). Topedia Blog+3Microsoft Support+3cloudbik.com+3

• If the original message is deleted after saving, clicking it in the Saved list may open the chat and show the note that the message was deleted. Microsoft Support+2west.jcteams.info+2

Tips, Best Practices & Limitations

Here are practical tips and things to watch out for to make best use of the feature.

Tips & Best Practices

1. Save only what mattersBecause saved messages accumulate, periodically review your saved list and unsave ones you no longer need.

2. Use consistent keywords or tagsIf you frequently save messages related to specific topics, make a habit of searching via keywords afterward (e.g. “budget”, “action item”).

3. Combine with Teams searchUse the saved list in conjunction with Teams search to filter and locate messages more precisely.

4. Use during meetings / live chatWhile in live calls or chats, if someone shares a link or instruction, immediately saving helps you not lose that message in the discussion flow.

5. Communicate across devices carefullyIf you save a message on desktop, expect it to appear on web. On mobile, recheck that the version supports the new saved mechanism. If not, you may need to re‑save messages on mobile. Topedia Blog+1

6. Be aware of retention policiesOrganizational or compliance retention policies in Teams may delete messages after a certain time. If an original message is purged, it may affect your saved copy. west.jcteams.info

7. Educate your teamIn organizations or team settings, inform colleagues about this feature—saving useful messages can reduce redundant questions or confusion.

Limitations & Known Issues

• Delayed rollout: Not all tenants or users will get this feature at the same time due to staged rollout.

• Feature may be renamed or replaced: Some users report that “Saved Messages” is replaced with Bookmarks in newer builds of “New Teams.” Microsoft Learn+2Microsoft Q&A+2

• Mobile synchronization issues: Mobile’s legacy saved mechanism might not align fully with the new system, so saved messages on mobile may not sync or display correctly. Topedia Blog+1

• Deleted messages: If the original message is removed by its author or by retention policy, your saved copy may show a “deleted” notice. Microsoft Support+2west.jcteams.info+2

• No admin-level control: Because this is a purely user-level feature, admins can’t centrally manage or disable it (though retention and compliance policies still apply). west.jcteams.info+2supersimple365.com+2

• Feature not immediately visible: Until you save at least one message, the “Saved” section may not appear in navigation. cloudbik.com+1

Because Microsoft is actively enhancing Teams, some behavior might change. Always check Microsoft’s documentation or your organization’s Teams updates to confirm.

Troubleshooting & Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common issues and their solutions or mitigations:

Problem / Question	Possible Causes	Solutions & Workarounds
“I don’t see the ‘Save this message’ option.”	The feature hasn’t rolled out yet for your tenant, or you’re using a version without support.	Update Teams. Check whether your organization is in the rollout group. Wait until the feature is enabled.
“I saved a message on desktop but don’t see it on mobile.”	Mobile app may still use legacy saved mechanism or not yet synced with new feature.	Re‑save the message on mobile after update, or wait until mobile app supports new saved messages fully. Topedia Blog+1
“My saved list is empty / doesn’t show anything.”	You may not have saved any messages yet (so the saved section may not appear).	Save at least one message to trigger the Saved section.
“A saved message is deleted / shows ‘message deleted’ in saved view.”	The original message was deleted by the author or via policies.	You can click the context view to see where it was deleted; it’s not recoverable if the original is fully purged.
“The ‘Saved’ filter is missing or hidden.”	UI layout differences (Combined view vs Separate view), or no saved messages yet.	Switch layout views or ensure messages have been saved.
“Saved Messages got replaced by Bookmarks”	Microsoft’s updates may rename or reclassify the feature. Microsoft Learn+1	Check your version; look for “Bookmarks” in your profile menu; search “Bookmarks” in Teams to locate.
“Does saving duplicate messages or double up storage?”	Saving does not duplicate the entire content arbitrarily; it creates a reference or pointer in your saved list.	Minimal overhead; depends on Teams architecture, but user storage impact is negligible.

Whenever in doubt, check Microsoft’s official support and update logs. Also, your organization’s IT team may have further restrictions or settings.

Future Changes & Microsoft’s Roadmap

Because “Save Message” is relatively new (reintroduced in the “New Teams”), here are areas Microsoft is exploring or which may evolve:

• Bookmarks as the new model: As seen in some user reports and Microsoft Q&A, “Saved Messages” may evolve into or co‑exist with a Bookmarks feature. Topedia Blog+3Microsoft Learn+3Microsoft Learn+3

• Better mobile integration: Future Teams mobile apps will likely fully integrate saved messages with the desktop/web versions, reducing discrepancies. Topedia Blog+1

• Admin controls or analytics: Microsoft could give organizations visibility or controls over saved messages (e.g. analytics on what employees save, or policies) in future updates.

• Search & filtering enhancements: More advanced filtering (by date, channel, tag) may be added to the saved list.

• Retention & compliance alignment: Integration with organizational retention, compliance, and eDiscovery systems may become more robust (to make sure saved messages respect policies). Microsoft already notes that if the original message is removed per policy, the saved copy will also be removed. west.jcteams.info

• Cross‑team sharing of saved messages: In large organizations, there may be features to share bookmarks or saved items within teams (future idea, not yet confirmed).

• UI/UX improvements: Better visual cues, badges, or context markers in chat indicating what you’ve saved may appear.

Because this is a new rollout, Microsoft is likely to evolve and refine the feature over time.

Summary & Final Thoughts

The “Save Message” feature in Microsoft Teams is a powerful tool to help you stay organized, especially in fast-moving chats and group discussions. By letting you mark important messages and recall them easily, it bridges a gap many users felt was missing.

Here’s a quick recap:

• What: Save messages (chat, channel, replies) for future reference

• How: Hover (desktop) → More options → Save; on mobile, long press → Save

• View: Use the “Saved” section / filter to browse your saved items

• Remove: Unsave when no longer needed

• Tips: Save judiciously, sync across devices, watch mobile nuances

• Caveats: Rollout may not be instantaneous; mobile behavior may lag; deleted originals can affect saved copies

• Outlook: Feature may evolve into Bookmarks; further enhancements likely