TeamsActivo: frequently asked questions
How it works, what it needs, what it costs and what it cannot do.
What it is and how it works
What is TeamsActivo?
TeamsActivo is an app that keeps your Microsoft Teams status on Available while you are at your desk but not typing, for example while you read or are on a phone call. It does this by simulating a minimal amount of activity so the operating system does not consider you idle. It is available for macOS, Windows, Linux and Android.
How does TeamsActivo keep my Teams status green?
On a computer, it checks every 15 seconds how long it has been since your last keyboard or mouse input. From 60 seconds of inactivity, it moves the pointer 1 pixel and puts it back, which resets the idle counter that Teams reads. If you are using the computer, it does nothing. While it is active it also keeps the display from going to sleep.
Why does Teams show me as Away when I am at my desk?
Teams does not know whether you are working. It changes your status to Away after about 5 minutes without keyboard or mouse input, when you lock the computer, or when it goes to sleep. Reading, thinking or talking on the phone produces no input, so to Teams it looks like you left.
Do I have to switch it on every day?
No. Automatic mode is on by default: TeamsActivo turns on when Teams opens and stops when Teams closes. You can also switch it on by hand, pause it until Teams closes, limit it to work hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 19:00) and have it start with the system.
Will I notice the mouse moving?
No. The pointer moves 1 pixel and returns to where it was, and only after 60 seconds without any input from you. It does not move while a mouse button is held down or while a full-screen app such as a video or a presentation is in front.
Does it work on my phone?
On Android, yes, in a different way: the app keeps the screen on while Teams is in the foreground, so the phone does not lock and Teams stays on Available. Teams has to stay open on screen. On iPhone and iPad no app can do this, and the only option is the Auto-Lock and Guided Access settings.
Installation and permissions
Which systems does TeamsActivo support?
macOS 13 or later, Windows 10 and 11, Linux (X11, GNOME and KDE, with ydotool needed on Wayland) and Android 8 or later. There is no version for iPhone or iPad because iOS does not allow this kind of app.
Why does the Mac app ask for the Accessibility permission?
macOS only allows an app to move the pointer if it has the Accessibility permission. TeamsActivo uses it for that single purpose. Without it, the app can only keep the display awake, and Teams may still show Away.
Do I need administrator rights on Windows?
No. On Windows, TeamsActivo installs for the current user only and runs on PowerShell 5.1, which is already included in Windows 10 and 11. If your organisation blocks PowerShell scripts by policy, the app may not start.
How do I activate TeamsActivo after installing it?
Open the app, choose the option to enter a key and paste the licence key you received by email. It has the form TA-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. The device needs an internet connection at that moment.
Licence, price and devices
How much does TeamsActivo cost?
It costs €5 + VAT per month. There is a 10-day free trial, and you can cancel at any time.
How many devices can I use with one licence?
Three. They can be any mix of macOS, Windows, Linux and Android, for example a work laptop, a home computer and a phone.
What happens if I try to activate a fourth device?
The app tells you the licence is already in use on 3 devices. Unlink one of them, either from the app on that device or from your account on teams-active.es, and then activate the new one.
How do I move my licence to a new computer?
Unlink the old device first, from the app or from your account, so it frees a slot. Then enter the same key on the new one. If you uninstall the app without unlinking, the slot stays in use until you release it from your account.
How do I cancel my subscription?
From your account on teams-active.es, where you can manage the subscription, change the payment card and see your invoices. When the subscription is no longer active, the app stops working on your devices.
Does TeamsActivo work without an internet connection?
Yes, for a while. The licence is checked on the device and renews in the background when there is a connection. Without any connection, the app keeps working for up to 72 hours after its last renewal.
Limits
Does it keep me Available when my screen is locked?
No. With the session locked, Teams shows Away and TeamsActivo does nothing. No program can simulate activity on a locked session, and the app never prevents you from locking the computer. While the app is active the computer does not lock by itself from inactivity, so lock it yourself when you step away.
Does it work with the laptop lid closed?
Not on its own. A closed laptop goes to sleep and Teams shows Away. It only keeps working if the laptop is connected to an external display and set up to stay on with the lid closed.
Will it work on a company-managed computer?
It depends on the policies. If your organisation enforces a screen lock through MDM, Group Policy or Intune, that policy takes priority. Some policies also block installing software or running scripts. Check the rules of your organisation before using it.
Does it keep running if I leave my computer on all night?
No. After 4 hours without real use it stops simulating activity, and it resumes when you come back. The movements made by the app itself do not count as real use. You can also limit it to work hours.
Privacy and workplace
Does TeamsActivo read my Teams messages or need my Microsoft account?
No. It does not sign in to Teams, read anything in it or control it. It only checks whether Teams is running and how long the computer has been idle.
What data does the app send?
The app only connects to teams-active.es, and only for the licence. It sends the licence key once when you activate, a hash of a device identifier, the device name so you can recognise it in your account, and the app version. It sends nothing about your use of Teams or about which apps you have open.
Is TeamsActivo affiliated with Microsoft?
No. TeamsActivo is an independent product. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft. Microsoft Teams is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Am I allowed to use it at work?
That depends on your organisation. TeamsActivo is meant to stop your status from switching to Away while you are working without touching the keyboard. Use it on your own devices and within the policies of your organisation, and lock your computer when you leave it.