Adjust Your Inactivity Timeout Settings
By default, Teams will change your status to “Away” after just five minutes of inactivity. However, you can adjust this setting to a longer period of time. To do this, click on your profile picture in the upper-right corner of the Teams window and select “Settings.” From there, click on “General” and scroll down to the “Inactivity” section. Here, you can choose how many minutes of inactivity it takes for Teams to change your status to “Away.”
Use the Keyboard to Stay Active
Another way to prevent Teams from showing you as “Away” is to use your keyboard. Teams will only change your status to “Away” if you haven’t used your mouse or keyboard for a certain period of time. So, if you’re in a meeting or typing a message, make sure to move your mouse or hit a key every few minutes to stay active.
Set Your Status to “Available”
If you’re not actively using Teams but want to avoid being shown as “Away,” you can manually set your status to “Available.” This will keep you active on Teams even if you’re not actively using the app. To do this, click on your profile picture and select “Available” from the drop-down menu.
Use the Mobile App
If you’re frequently away from your computer or don’t want to worry about being shown as “Away,” consider using the Teams mobile app. The mobile app is designed to keep you active on Teams even if you’re not actively using the app. Plus, you’ll receive notifications for new messages and meetings, so you’ll never miss an important conversation.
FAQ
Q: How do I know if I’m shown as “Away” on Teams?
A: Your status will change to “Away” automatically after a period of inactivity. You can also see your status in the upper-right corner of the Teams window.
Q: Can I customize my status messages?
A: Yes, you can customize your status messages to let your team know what you’re up to. To do this, click on your profile picture and select “Set status message” from the drop-down menu.
Q: Will I still receive notifications if I’m shown as “Away”?
A: Yes, you’ll still receive notifications for new messages and meetings even if you’re shown as “Away.”
Q: Can I turn off the “Away” status altogether?
A: While you can’t turn off the “Away” status altogether, you can adjust the inactivity timeout settings to a longer period of time.
Conclusion
Being shown as “Away” on Teams can be frustrating, but there are a few simple ways to prevent it. By adjusting your inactivity timeout settings, using your keyboard to stay active, setting your status to “Available,” or using the mobile app, you can stay active on Teams and never miss an important conversation.