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.

Administrators can now control whether users can view their Direct Inward Dialing (DID) numbers in 8x8 Work applications.

Note: This setting is available in Work Apps Settings in the 8x8 Admin Console and now applies to 8x8 Work for Desktop, Web, and Mobile apps. Previously, this setting applied only to 8x8 Work for Mobile -Android.

What changed

  • Previously: DID visibility control was available only in 8x8 Work for Mobile (Android).
  • Now This setting applies to 8x8 Work for Desktop, Web, and Mobile (Android) apps.

Benefits

  • Improved routing: Prevent bypassing standard call flows
  • Better reporting: Ensure consistent call tracking
  • Centralized control: Manage visibility across all 8x8 Work apps
  • Enhanced compliance: Reduce exposure of personal contact numbers

For more details on how to control DID visibility, see 8x8 Admin Console — Configure Work apps settings.

8x8 Work for Desktop interface showing user profile and contact details with DID information hidden, based on on DID visibility settings

To enhance conversation privacy, the default setting for new chat rooms is now private.

Previously, the privacy default was public, which could unintentionally expose sensitive conversations to the entire organization. This update helps ensure that only intended participants have access to chat room content.

What has changed

  • Previously: New chat rooms were public by default.
  • Now: Chat rooms are private unless explicitly set to public.

Benefits

  • Improved privacy: Reduces the risk of exposing sensitive conversations to unintended users.
  • Safer defaults: Ensures only invited members can access chat rooms by default.
  • Consistent experience: Provide safer default behavior across Work apps.

Behavior changes

  • The Make private option is enabled by default.
  • Private rooms are visible only to members.
  • Enabling Make public allows all users in the organization to access the room.

To learn more, see Use team messaging.

8x8 Work for Dekstop Create room dialog showing the default private room setting with options to switch between private and public visibility

Citrix detection in 8x8 Work for Web has been updated to support modern browser permission requirements and ensure reliable WebRTC optimization.

What changed

  • Previously: Citrix detection could fail due to browser permission restrictions.
  • Now: Improved detection and prompts ensure more consistent behavior.

Benefits

  • Improved reliability: Ensures Citrix detection works in modern browsers
  • Better visibility: Provides clear prompts when permissions are required
  • Consistent experience: Maintains calling functionality even if detection fails

Features

  • New Enable Citrix integration setting in the 8x8 Admin Console.
  • Permission prompt to allow local connections for detection.
  • Clear alerts when Citrix runtime is not detected.
  • Continued calling functionality even if detection fails.

For more details, see Citrix detection in 8x8 Work for Web.

This release includes additional improvements to integrations, performance and overall user experience.

  • Access company contacts in Microsoft Teams: Corporate contacts are now visible in the Contacts tab of the 8x8 for Microsoft Teams app when the Enable Contacts management in the MS Teams 8x8 Work app setting is enabled in the Work Apps Settings section by an administrator, in the 8x8 Admin Console.
  • Experience faster and more responsive interactions: The message options menu now responds faster, providing a smoother interaction experience.
  • Performance and stability improvements: General enhancements improve reliability and overall application performance across 8x8 Work apps.

Enhanced private rooms membership experience

Adding members to private rooms is now clearer and more intuitive. The Add members dialog provides improved visibility into membership status, helping prevent duplicate additions.

What’s new

  • Existing members are labeled Already a member or Selected and shown as disabled in the search.
  • Hovering over existing or selected members shows a not-allowed cursor for clarity.
  • Selected users appear in a Selected group before saving.
  • Avoid duplicate member additions with improved visual feedback throughout the selection process

Private room: The dialog for searching members to add to a private room now displays user results, clearly indicating which users are already selected or are currently members (preventing them from being added again). Cancel and Save buttons appear at the bottomPrivate room - Members dialog showing a search field and a Selected section displayed already selected memebrs; a Current members section displays existing room members, with Cancel and Save buttons at the bottom

To learn more about chat rooms, see Use Team Messaging.

Various enhancements and fixes

  • Correction to the Flip Call banner display issue.
  • Various performance and stability enhancements have been made to improve reliability and ensure a more seamless user experience.

Enhanced badge colors for better accessibility

Badge colors for unread messages and mentions have been updated to meet WCAG contrast standards.

  • Previous colors had low visibility for users with visual impairments.
  • The new color scheme enhances readability in both light and dark modes.
  • Improves clarity for users with color vision deficiencies.

Side-by-side comparison of light and dark themes showing updated badge colors that improve visibility of unread activity in Rooms and Conversations

Enhanced message options accessibility

We have improved message interaction for keyboard and screen reader users.

  • Before: Message actions were hidden behind a menu, requiring extra clicks.
  • Now: Common message actions (reply, mark as unread, copy, etc.) are visible on hover.
  • This reduces navigation steps and improves accessibility.

Message showing reaction options and the hover menu with quick actions

Smarter Google account sync notification

To reduce confusion and ensure seamless syncing of Google contacts:

  • Users will now see a clear in-app alert when their Google account connection expires.
  • Prompted to log in again to restore contact syncing without delay.
  • Prevents outdated contacts from causing disruptions.

Alert banner showing Google account connection expiration and prompting the user to log in again to sync contacts

Improved screen reader support

Screen reader users will now experience smoother navigation in the General area, making the app easier to use and more inclusive.

The 8.29 release introduces various enhancements and fixes.

Improved Screen Reader Support

Enhanced accessibility in the General section to provide a better experience for users navigating with screen readers.

SMS Fix for Puerto Rico numbers

Resolved an issue that was preventing users from sending SMS messages to Puerto Rico. Messaging now works as expected.

Windows 11 call quality fix

Resolved an issue that affected call quality for users on Windows 11. Calls now perform reliably on supported systems.