presence: setStatusMessage - Throws 401 error

Question

presence: setStatusMessage - Throws 401 error

Schellner, Toni 20

Hey, I am trying to use Graph API to set the status message of another user. I tried it via PowerShell and Graph Explorer and both ways gave me the same error.

"message": "Cannot set the presence of another user. Authenticated user:

I followed the provided example from this documentation:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/api/presence-setstatusmessage?view=graph-rest-1.0&tabs=http

I also granted myself sufficient permissions. Are there any errors or limitation with this particular API call?

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Wleklik, Thomas 0

Hello,

I also struggled with this and tried to change it using MSGraph Explorer. Unfortunately, attempts via Powershell also failed with the same error message.

However, if you register an app with the MSGraph authorisation and then change the status there, then it works.

Then you can design your script like this.

# Define the Application (Client) ID and Secret
$ApplicationClientId = '' # Application (Client) ID
$ApplicationClientSecret = '' # Application Secret Value
$TenantId = '' # Tenant ID

# Convert the Client Secret to a Secure String
$SecureClientSecret = ConvertTo-SecureString -String $ApplicationClientSecret -AsPlainText -Force
# Create a PSCredential Object Using the Client ID and Secure Client Secret
$ClientSecretCredential = New-Object -TypeName System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $ApplicationClientId, $SecureClientSecret
# Connect to Microsoft Graph Using the Tenant ID and Client Secret Credential
Connect-MgGraph -TenantId $TenantId -ClientSecretCredential $ClientSecretCredential

#ID AffectedUser
$userID = ""
Get-MgUserPresence -UserId $userId

$paramsStatusMessage = @{
	statusMessage = @{
		message = @{
			content = ""
			contentType = "text"
		}
	}
}

$paramsStatus = @{
	availability = "Available"
	activity = "Available"
	expirationDuration = "PT8H"
}

Set-MgUserPresenceUserPreferredPresence -UserId $userId -BodyParameter $paramsStatus
Set-MgUserPresenceStatusMessage -UserId $userId -BodyParameter $paramsStatusMessage
Get-MgUserPresence -UserId $userId

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Wleklik, Thomas 0 Reputation points

2025-03-28T08:53:21.3066667+00:00

Hello,

I also struggled with this and tried to change it using MSGraph Explorer. Unfortunately, attempts via Powershell also failed with the same error message.

However, if you register an app with the MSGraph authorisation and then change the status there, then it works.

Then you can design your script like this.

# Define the Application (Client) ID and Secret $ApplicationClientId = '' # Application (Client) ID $ApplicationClientSecret = '' # Application Secret Value $TenantId = '' # Tenant ID # Convert the Client Secret to a Secure String $SecureClientSecret = ConvertTo-SecureString -String $ApplicationClientSecret -AsPlainText -Force # Create a PSCredential Object Using the Client ID and Secure Client Secret $ClientSecretCredential = New-Object -TypeName System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $ApplicationClientId, $SecureClientSecret # Connect to Microsoft Graph Using the Tenant ID and Client Secret Credential Connect-MgGraph -TenantId $TenantId -ClientSecretCredential $ClientSecretCredential #ID AffectedUser $userID = "" Get-MgUserPresence -UserId $userId $paramsStatusMessage = @{ statusMessage = @{ message = @{ content = "" contentType = "text" } } } $paramsStatus = @{ availability = "Available" activity = "Available" expirationDuration = "PT8H" } Set-MgUserPresenceUserPreferredPresence -UserId $userId -BodyParameter $paramsStatus Set-MgUserPresenceStatusMessage -UserId $userId -BodyParameter $paramsStatusMessage Get-MgUserPresence -UserId $userId

Answer 1

Hitesh Pachipulusu - MSFT 3,640 Microsoft External Staff

Hello Schellner, Toni,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Support!

It looks like you’re encountering a common issue with the Microsoft Graph API when trying to set the presence status message for another user. The error message “Cannot set the presence of another user” typically indicates a limitation or permission issue.

Here are a few key points to consider:

Permissions: Ensure that you have the correct permissions. For setting the presence status message, you need the Presence.ReadWrite permission for delegated scenarios or Presence.ReadWrite.All for application scenarios.
Delegated vs. Application Permissions: The API call to set the presence status message for another user requires application permissions (Presence.ReadWrite.All). Delegated permissions (Presence.ReadWrite) are not sufficient for this operation.

You cannot use Graph Explorer to set the presence of another user. Please use Application permissions to set the presence of another user.

Hope this helps.

If the answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and kindly upvote it. If you have any further questions about this answer, please click Comment.

Schellner, Toni 20 Reputation points

2024-09-23T13:55:27.17+00:00

Hey!

Thank you for your clarification. I considered this and tried the same thing by registering an application with the required permissions:

I am still getting a 401 when trying it this way. Am I still missing something?

I also checked the token, if it really has the permissions and it does indeed have sufficient permissions. I am still getting the error tho:
Schellner, Toni 20 Reputation points

2024-09-23T14:22:25.2133333+00:00

Nvm! I found the issue. I tried giving the mail address as userId instead of the actual id. It works now. Thanks