Discover the latest transformative updates in Slack's June 2025 release, designed to enhance accessibility, streamline collaboration, and boost administrative control for financial services.
Revolutionizing Accessibility with Simplified Layout Mode
Slack's June 2025 update introduces a Simplified Layout Mode aimed at enhancing accessibility and reducing distractions for all users, especially those with motor disabilities and those who rely on screen readers. This mode, available exclusively on desktop, streamlines Slack for single-tasking by showing one section at a time, thus simplifying navigation and reducing clutter. These improvements are expected to significantly benefit users by reducing cognitive load and making Slack more inclusive for users with diverse needs.
Enhanced Collaboration with Canvas Section Locks Removal and Co-ownership
In an effort to boost productivity and teamwork, Slack has removed section locks from canvases, allowing multiple users to edit canvas sections simultaneously. This change addresses previous collaboration bottlenecks where section locks prevented concurrent editing. Additionally, Slack now offers co-ownership for canvases and lists, enabling users to share permissions and reassign ownership when the original owner leaves. These features are rolling out from June 12, 2025, and are expected to enhance flexibility and improve collaborative efforts across teams.
Streamlined Notifications and Workspace Management
Slack's expanded VIP notification system now allows members to prioritize notifications from important apps, bots, and workflows, integrating seamlessly with existing VIP notification settings. This update ensures that critical notifications are not missed, enhancing workflow efficiency. Furthermore, the new email subscription system for status updates allows users to stay informed about system status changes through email updates, accessible via a modal on the Slack system status page. These updates aim to keep users well-informed and improve overall workspace management.
Upcoming Enhancements to Look Forward To
Slack has announced several upcoming features designed to enhance enterprise integration and administrative control. Enterprise Grid customers will benefit from advanced content moderation tools with complete edit history tracking and non-human entity identification. Another significant update is the deep Salesforce integration, which will embed Slack channels within the Salesforce UI, facilitating bidirectional AI-powered conversations and real-time collaboration while viewing customer data. Additionally, the unified file management browser will consolidate multiple content views into a single, simplified interface, improving file management across the platform.
Prepare for Critical Deprecations and Migrations
Slack's June 2025 update also outlines critical deprecations and migrations that require immediate attention from IT administrators. The retirement of the files.upload API has been extended to November 12, 2025, allowing developers additional time to transition to the new files.getUploadURLExternal and files.completeUploadExternal methods. Moreover, the consolidation of the Windows MSI installer to the MSIX format by September 15, 2025, necessitates coordinated IT planning for a smooth migration. Lastly, end-of-support notifications for older operating systems and browsers will take effect on November 15, 2025, urging users to upgrade to supported versions to ensure uninterrupted service.
Slack June 2025 Updates - Complete Summary
What's New (Currently Rolling Out)
🎯 Simplified Layout Mode
Purpose: Streamlines Slack for single-tasking and enhances accessibility
Availability: Desktop only
Access: Preferences > Accessibility
Benefits: Helps users with motor disabilities, screen reader users, and reduces distractions
Key Features: Shows one section at a time, simplified navigation, reduced clutter
🔓 Canvas Section Locks Removal
Change: Multiple users can now edit canvas sections simultaneously
Impact: Improved collaboration on shared canvases
Previous Issue: Section locks were preventing concurrent editing
👥 Co-ownership for Canvases and Lists
Feature: Canvas and list owners can share permissions with others
Benefit: Allows ownership reassignment when original owner leaves
Availability: June 12, 2025 rollout
📧 Email Subscription System for Status Updates
Feature: Users can subscribe to email updates via modal on Slack system status page
Purpose: Keep users informed about system status changes
Access: Through new modal interface
⭐ VIP Apps, Bots, and Workflows
Feature: Members can designate apps, bots, and agents as VIPs
Benefit: Prioritize notifications from important automated systems
Integration: Works with existing VIP notification system
🔄 Workspace Selection Enhancement
Update: New workspace selection step added to group DM-to-private channel conversion
Improvement: Better control over workspace assignment during conversion
Coming Soon Features
🔗 New Controls for Third-Party App Link Previews
Enhancement: Improved link previews (unfurls) that feel more native to Slack
Admin Control: Pre-configure preview appearance across organization
Auto-application: Settings apply automatically when feature launches
🚩 Flag Content Updates (Enterprise Grid)
Edit History: Admins can view edit history of flagged content
Messages: Include all edits before and after flagging
Profile Content: Show flagged and current versions only
Bot Identification: Identify managers of non-human entities when content is flagged
🧵 Thread Moderation Capabilities (Enterprise Grid)
New Options: Pause reactions and replies on threads
Hide Threads: Ability to hide entire threads including replies and reactions
Permission: Available to admins with content moderation permissions
📋 Migrating Channel Canvases to Standalone
Change: Channel canvases become standalone documents
Benefits: Shareable, deletable, no longer tied to specific channels
Impact: Greater flexibility in canvas management
📁 Unified Files Browser
Consolidation: Canvas, files, and list views merged into single view
Location: Slack's navigation bar
Benefit: Simplified file and content management
🔧 Data Oversight API
Purpose: Support administrative use cases
Capabilities: Managing channels and users, flagging messages
Target: Enterprise administration needs
🤝 Salesforce Channels in Salesforce UI
Integration: Embed Slack channel messages in Salesforce UI
Benefit: Real-time collaboration while viewing customer data
Platform: Both Slack and Salesforce interfaces
Upcoming Deprecations
📁 Files.upload API Retirement
Extended Date: November 12, 2025 (previously March 11, 2025)
Replacement: files.getUploadURLExternal + files.completeUploadExternal
Impact: Developers must migrate to new API methods
Reason: Better handling of large files and improved reliability
💿 MSI Installer Consolidation
Date: September 15, 2025
Change: MSI installers replaced with MSIX format
Affected: MSI for per-user and machine-wide installation
Action Required: IT teams must uninstall MSI and deploy MSIX
🖥️ OS, App, and Browser Support End
Date: November 15, 2025
Affected: Various operating systems, app versions, and browsers
Policy: Following support lifecycle policy
Action: Users must upgrade to supported versions
Key Dates Timeline
📅 June 12, 2025: Co-ownership for canvases and lists launched
📅 September 15, 2025: MSI installer support ends
📅 November 12, 2025: Files.upload API retirement
📅 November 15, 2025: End of support for various OS/browser versions
Impact Assessment
Accessibility Improvements
♿ Simplified layout mode enhances inclusivity
🔧 Better support for assistive technologies
🧠 Reduced cognitive load for distraction-sensitive users
Collaboration Enhancements
🤝 Canvas co-ownership improves team flexibility
🔓 Removed section locks enable better concurrent editing
💼 Salesforce integration deepens workflow integration
Administrative Control
🛡️ Enhanced content moderation for Enterprise Grid
🔗 Better link preview management
👁️ Improved oversight capabilities with new APIs
Developer Considerations
⚡ API migration required for file upload functionality
💻 Installation method changes for Windows deployments
⏰ Extended timeline provides migration buffer
