Issue with Teams

Question

I’m using Microsoft Teams on my Mac for work, and recently my status keeps changing to Away even though I’m still actively using my computer.

For example, I can be working in Safari, Outlook, or another application, but if I don’t click on Teams for a while, Teams changes my status from Available to Away. Sometimes it even happens while I’m reading messages in Teams without moving the mouse much.

This is causing problems because my coworkers think I’m not at my computer when I actually am.

Is there a setting on Mac that controls how Teams detects activity? Is there any way to prevent Teams from showing me as Away while I’m actively using my Mac?

Answer 1

Dear @Geek The,

Good day! Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum!

Based on your description, I understand that your account status is switching from "Available" to "Away" even while you are using your computer. You're looking for guidance on how to keep your account status active on Teams.

Teams on macOS or Windows does not determine "Presence" status based on overall system activity in the way many people assume. The "Away" status is typically triggered when Teams determines that the device is idle or locked, or when it fails to receive appropriate activity signals from the Teams client.

In this case, I recommend reopening Teams desktop app after about 30 minutes of inactivity to maintain your current status.

Additionally, I found a feature on the Teams web app: "Keep your current status when active outside Teams." Turn this setting on to help prevent your status from switching to "Away" when you're working in other browser tabs or apps. Your coworkers will see the correct status, even if you're not working in Teams.

Additionally, the status automatically switching to "Away" in the desktop app - even while you are actively working - can be inconvenient for users, myself included. Therefore, you may wish to submit feedback on the Feedback Portal so that the Teams development team can review it and take the issue into consideration.

Kindly let me know when there are updates or if you need further assistance. Any updates you’re able to share would be really helpful. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing how things are going! 

Thank you for your time and patience.

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