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The Teams application is an invaluable tool for fostering communication and collaboration among colleagues. However, dealing with the presence status can sometimes pose challenges. This article offers practical advice on maintaining an active Teams status and customizing your status message.
Ensure Teams is Updated
Keep your Teams app up to date to ensure accurate status display. Whether you're using Teams on a computer or mobile device, having the latest version is crucial. Update your app through the appropriate store or platform settings, then verify if the 'Away' status persists despite being online.
Check for App Updates
Prevent your computer from entering idle mode.
Your status will switch to 'Away' automatically if your computer goes to sleep.'Away'Adjust the sleep or idle settings on your computer to control when it enters idle mode.
Navigate to the Apple menuPreferences for the SystemPowerPower Management
Commence
ConfigurationsOperating SystemEnergy & RestBattery & PowerDisplaySlumberEnsure the Teams mobile app is closed when not in use.
If the Teams mobile app runs in the background, your status shifts to “Away.” To prevent this, keep the Teams app open while using it on your mobile device. If you switch to other apps, close Teams and use the desktop or browser version on your computer instead.
- To prevent automatic locking or sleep, adjust your phone or tablet settings while using the Teams mobile app.
- To modify auto-lock settings on iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings, choose Display & Brightness, and tap Auto-Lock. Opt for Never to avoid automatic locking.
- On Android, adjust sleep settings by opening Settings, selecting Display, and choosing Sleep or Screen timeout. Opt for the longest possible timeout.
- Consider installing apps like Stay Alive! or Keep Screen On to maintain screen activity indefinitely on Android.
Update your status using your Outlook calendar.
Teams syncs with other Microsoft apps to update your status. Adjusting your status in Outlook affects your Teams presence. Verify your Outlook settings if your Teams status doesn't reflect your current activity.
- If you have an Outlook meeting, Teams will display your status as In a Meeting, regardless of your actual participation.
- Blocking Focus Time in Outlook Calendar will switch your Teams status to Focusing or Do not disturb, sending Teams calls to voicemail.
- An automatic out-of-office reply in Outlook sets your Teams status to Out of Office.
Customize your presence status manually.
Select a different status to appear active. If you're stepping away from your screen, choose a status like Busy or Do not disturb to inform your team. For example, if you're in a meeting, set your status to Busy and add a message indicating your availability. To update your status:
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Choose your desired status from the presence status dropdown menu next to your name (beside Edit status message). Options include Be right back, Busy, or Do not disturb.
- In some Teams versions, you can set the duration of your status change. Select Duration from the dropdown menu, choose your status, then specify a duration under Reset status after. Click Done when finished. Note: This feature may not be available on the latest Teams version for Mac (as of July 2022).
- Edit your status message by clicking Edit status message next to the status dropdown. You can also choose how long the message displays before automatically clearing.
Consider using a mouse mover app as a last resort.
These applications prevent your computer from going idle. If you need to step away but want to keep your status Active, one of these apps might help. This is especially useful if setting your computer to stay awake isn't effective. Try installing Wiggler (for Microsoft) or Jiggler (for Mac).
- You can also purchase physical mouse jigglers that plug into your computer if software installation isn't an option on your work device.
