How Teams decides you are Away
Microsoft says Teams sets Away when your desktop is inactive for more than five minutes, and straight away when you lock the computer or it goes idle or to sleep. On a phone, Teams shows Away when the app is in the background. More in why Teams says Away.
A jiggler feeds only the first rule: it makes the computer look active. It cannot unlock a locked screen, and a sleeping laptop runs no jiggler at all.
When a jiggler keeps Teams Available
On a computer that stays on, unlocked and online, with Teams open, a jiggler that sends real input keeps you Available. Arkane Systems’ Zen mode registers movement without moving the pointer, and its README warns that this may not work with apps that do their own idle detection, so check Teams yourself. Windows and Mac options are in software mouse jigglers.
When it does not
Locked screen: many work computers lock after a few idle minutes, and a lock sets Away at once. Lid closed: the laptop sleeps; see jigglers with the laptop closed. Calendar: in a meeting Teams shows Busy or In a meeting whatever the jiggler does, as the status icons guide explains.
Several devices: Teams combines presence from every signed-in device, so ask a colleague how you appear rather than trusting your own screen. Our guide to keeping Teams Available covers this in detail.
Policy: a software jiggler is a running program and a USB jiggler is an input device, and managed computers can list both. Check your workplace rules first; this guide is not advice on getting around them.
Teams presence without a jiggler
OnlineHours keeps Slack, ClickUp and Microsoft Teams online during the hours you choose, from its own servers, so your laptop can be closed. Slack and ClickUp connect with a private code from the free OnlineHours Connector; Teams connects through the Teams Connector, recommended for Teams in your browser, or Microsoft sign-in for work accounts. Plans start at $3.49 a month for Slack and $3.99 for Teams or ClickUp, $29.99 a year for one app, or $9.99 a month for all three, with a 7-day trial for one app and no card.
For Teams in your browser, start with the free Teams Connector. The full comparison with jigglers is in mouse jiggler alternative.
Keep your status on your hours, laptop closed
OnlineHours sets Slack, Teams or ClickUp to online from its servers during the hours you choose, and stops outside them.
A jiggler keeps Teams Available while your computer is on and unlocked. OnlineHours sets your Teams presence from its servers during your hours, laptop closed.
One app, no card. Nothing is charged when it ends.
Common questions
Does a mouse jiggler keep Teams green?
While your computer is on, unlocked and running Teams, in most cases yes. It stops working when the computer locks or sleeps, and a meeting still shows Busy.
Why does Teams show Away even with a jiggler?
Usually because the computer locked or slept, or because the jiggler uses a mode Teams does not count as activity. Teams sets Away at once when the computer is locked.
Can I keep Teams Available with my laptop closed?
Not with a jiggler, because the laptop sleeps. A server-based schedule such as OnlineHours sets your Teams presence during your hours with the laptop closed.