Quick answer

Keep Slack Active Without Admin Permissions

When you can't install workspace bots or grant Accessibility permissions, cloud-based presence scheduling works without any local installs or admin approval. It uses your personal Slack authorization.

Why this happens

Many Slack presence solutions require installing workspace apps/bots (which need admin approval) or granting macOS Accessibility permissions (which may be blocked by MDM). Mouse jigglers and automation scripts often need admin rights to install or run. Managed devices may prevent any software installation, and corporate policies can block apps that simulate input. This leaves users in restrictive environments with no local options for maintaining presence, even though they have legitimate reasons to signal availability during work hours.

The reliable solution

Local workarounds try to keep your device active, but they can't solve the fundamental problem: Slack needs constant signals from your device. When your device sleeps, locks, or loses connection, those signals stop.

Cloud-based presence scheduling like Idle Pilot runs on always-connected servers. It maintains your Slack status during scheduled hours regardless of what your device is doing.

Works even when your laptop is closed or off
No local installs or device workarounds needed
No workspace bot or admin approval required
Set your schedule once, it handles the rest

Try Idle Pilot free for 14 days

Platform-specific options

Here are platform-specific settings you can adjust. Note that these are workarounds with limitations, not complete solutions.

Mac Without Accessibility Permissions

1 If Accessibility is blocked: You cannot use apps that simulate mouse/keyboard input
2 If you have admin access but Accessibility is greyed out: Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access for MDM profiles
3 Caffeine-type apps may work without Accessibility if they only prevent sleep
4 Consider cloud-based scheduling that doesn't need any local permissions

Limitation: Without Accessibility permissions, no local app can simulate the activity Slack needs to stay active.

Windows Managed Device

1 Check if you can run portable apps that don't require installation
2 Some mouse jiggler utilities run without admin rights
3 Check if PowerShell scripts are allowed and could move the mouse
4 Note: IT may monitor or block such workarounds

Limitation: Managed Windows devices often block executables and scripts. IT can detect workarounds.

When Workspace Bots Are Blocked

1 Workspace bots require admin approval, which you may not be able to obtain
2 Check if your workspace allows personal tokens or OAuth apps
3 Idle Pilot uses personal OAuth authorization, not workspace bot installation
4 This means no admin approval is needed for your Slack presence

Limitation: If your workspace blocks all third-party OAuth, contact IT about exemptions for productivity tools.

Set up scheduled presence in 3 steps

Get reliable Slack presence without device workarounds:

Step 1
Connect your Slack account
Authorize Idle Pilot to update your presence. This uses Slack's standard OAuth, no workspace bot installation needed.
Step 2
Set your schedule
Choose the days and hours you want to appear active. Set your timezone so it aligns with your actual work hours.
Step 3
Enable and forget
Turn on your schedule and you're done. Idle Pilot keeps your Slack status active during those hours, regardless of your device state.

Troubleshooting

Can't install any software on managed Mac

Cloud-based scheduling requires no installation. You just authorize your Slack account through a browser.

Workspace admin won't approve presence bots

Idle Pilot doesn't install a bot in your workspace. It uses your personal authorization and requires no admin involvement.

MDM blocks Accessibility permissions

You can't override MDM restrictions locally. Cloud scheduling bypasses this entirely by not requiring local permissions.

FAQs

Why do most Slack bots require admin approval?

Slack workspace bots are installed at the workspace level and can potentially access workspace data. Admins control this to prevent unauthorized apps from accessing company information. This is a Slack security feature.

Can I use Idle Pilot without my Slack admin knowing?

Idle Pilot uses your personal Slack authorization, similar to signing into any Slack-connected app. It doesn't install anything in your workspace. Admins can see OAuth authorizations if they look, but there's no workspace-level notification.

Why does my Mac block Accessibility permissions for mouse jigglers?

If Accessibility is greyed out in System Settings, your Mac is likely managed by an MDM (Mobile Device Management) profile that restricts these permissions. This is a corporate security control you cannot override locally.

What permissions does Idle Pilot actually need?

Idle Pilot only requests the minimum permissions needed to update your presence status. It cannot read your messages, access your channels, or see your files. This is enforced by Slack's permission system.

Can my company block Idle Pilot specifically?

Workspaces can restrict which OAuth apps users can authorize. If your workspace blocks third-party app authorization entirely, you'd need to request an exception. Most workspaces don't block user-level OAuth apps.

Is there a difference between workspace bots and personal app authorization?

Yes. Workspace bots are installed by admins and can act at the workspace level. Personal OAuth authorization (what Idle Pilot uses) only grants access to your own account and requires no admin involvement.