Previous releases

The following features and enhancements were introduced in previous versions of 8x8 Work for Desktop (formerly known as the Virtual Office desktop app). For details on the latest new features, see our list of what's new in the current release.

In this release of 8x8 Work for Desktop, we are introducing the following enhancements:

Ability to delete an old voicemail greeting recording

In this release, we are introducing the option to delete an old voicemail greeting recording. Use your voicemail greetings to greet callers for leaving voicemails while you are away. You can now delete an outdated greeting, and record a new one if you:

  1. Go to Settings > Voicemail.

  2. Click on the drop-down menu under Current from either External or Internal greeting.

  3. Hover over the greeting recording that you want to delete and click on the bin icon to permanently delete it.

    Note: You can only delete old voicemail greetings which are not in use under External or Internal greeting. If you want to delete a greeting in use, you have to record a new one first.

Accessibility enhancements in the app

The profile menu, search, call control, and general lists areas are now accessible. The screen readers can now focus and easily read the information.

Other enhancements

  • Ability to control startup sound - The user can now toggle on/off the App startup sound from Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings.

  • Country specific ringback tone - Once you place a call, you hear a specific ringback tone while waiting for a call to be answered. Each country has a distinct ringback tone.

In this release of 8x8 Work for Desktop, we are introducing the following enhancements:

Enhanced new Success Center button

In this release, a new Success Center button is available in the navigation menu, which offers easier access to what you need to successfully achieve your goals in the 8x8 Work for Desktop app.

Here you can access relevant training courses & videos, see the What’s new section, Open a support case or suggest improvements by giving feedback on the app capabilities.



Enhanced call logs

In the Calls navigation menu, you can find a detailed call log entry by hovering over a call log. There you see complete details such as: name, phone number, type of call, date, time, duration and extension of the specific call in the tooltip, and you can copy-paste the information for tracking purposes.



Other enhancements

  • Accessibility improvements for Screen Readers in the Call tab area.
  • New localized app areas such as: Sign-in, Chat, Audio & Video device selection, etc.
  • Dark mode enhancements for chats, rooms or text conversations.

In this release of 8x8 Work for Desktop, we are introducing the following enhancements:

Enhanced new General tab

In this release, a new General tab is available in Settings, which collects and organizes the settings of 8x8 Work to improve access and scalability.

The Look and feel tab as well as the settings previously available in the root menu like Start Work or desktop login, Keep Work always on top or Open multiple chat windows are now integrated in the General tab.

To navigate to the General tab click on Settings > General.

Toggle to disable graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware acceleration

When you are in a meeting in 8x8 Work for Desktop and you are sharing content, the audience might encounter legibility issues. As this is due to some combinations of video boards and OS, you have the option to toggle on Disable GPU hardware acceleration to improve legibility.

To see this option:

  1. On the navigation menu, click Settings > General.
  2. Toggle on/off Disable GPU hardware acceleration.



Other enhancements

  • Enhanced loading indicator for Call using computer button - When you start the 8x8 Work for Desktop app you can see a loading indicator next to Call using computer button in the navigation bar. This icon is displayed briefly while the app detects the available audio devices.
  • Enhanced ability to initiate calls by Click-to-call - Now you can also use tel: link in addition to the standard tel:// protocol pattern to initiate a call with a certain contact.

In this release of 8x8 Work for Desktop, we are introducing the following enhancements:

Note: To download the latest version of 8x8 Work for Desktop click here.

Toggle to enforce resolving contacts on Ring Group calls and logs

When you import your contacts from 3rd parties such as Google, Microsoft or Outlook and you receive a call, the Caller ID is not recognized. By default, Ring Groups displays information according to the settings made by the admin in the Ring Group Caller ID section in 8x8 Admin Console. If you want to see your personal or company contacts when you receive a call you must toggle on the Resolve Ring Group calls against available Contacts.

To enable the toggle to synchronize Ring Group calls with your available Contacts:

Note: Before enabling the toggle you must have imported contacts from 3rd parties such as Google, Microsoft or Outlook.

  1. On the navigation menu, click Settings > Contacts.
  2. Toggle on the Resolve Ring Group calls against available Contacts.

Enhanced microphone Automatic Gain Control (AGC)

Recently we enabled microphone Automatic Gain Control by default, and now we are enhancing the feature by adding a toggle to enable or disable the AGC of their microphone input.

When the toggle is on, you will notice a difference if one talks quietly, or far away from the microphone, the AGC should boost the voice level.

Note: The Microphone Automatic Gain Control (AGC) is available only on 8x8 Work and not on the 8x8 Work for Web.

To see this option:

  1. On the navigation menu, click Settings > Audio & Video.
  2. Toggle on/off Automatically adjust mic sensitivity.

Other enhancements

  • Import both Office 365 & Outlook contacts in 8x8 Work - You can import your personal or company contacts from Office 365 and Outlook in 8x8 Work for desktop. Contacts can be duplicated if the same contact is saved in Office 365 and Outlook.

  • 8x8 Calendar sync authentication, and authorization done in system-browser - 8x8 Calendar sync occurs in system-browser instead of web-app and it uses Cronofy to securely access your calendar and requires your authorization and authentication.

In this release of 8x8 Work for Desktop, we are introducing the following enhancements:

Updated icon available for Call Using Computer

With this release, the navigation menu displays a new icon for the Call Using Computer feature, which is consistent design across the 8x8 products. Previously, the system used the icon.

Embedded Call quality alert for connection status

Prior to this release, the call quality alert was displayed as a notification banner.

With this release, the call quality alert “Try closing a few apps to restore better quality of your connection.” is now embedded. During calls, if you notice that your connection quality is poor, you can hover over the Connection tooltip to view details of the connection strength.

Other enhancements

  • Call recordings enhanced experience - Prior to this release, if you had a large list of call recordings its display was difficult. With this release, you can access your large list of Call Recordings and wait a few moments until it displays the available list. You may also filter the list by number.
  • 8x8 Contact Center call controls disabled - While receiving a call, the call notification displays only the Answer icon.
  • Repair permissions for OS-X 13.0 + (Ventura or newer) - For OS-X 13.0 + (Ventura or newer) users, when you are trying to login in the 8x8 Work for Desktop, and are prompted repeatedly to enter your password, you now can fix it by requesting higher admin rights, and enter your admin account password or take manual steps to allow the 8x8 Work for Desktop to self update in the future.