Fix Activity Detection Issues on Mac

Fix macOS Activity Tracking - Shows Idle While Working

Why does WebWork show me as idle when I'm actively working?

If WebWork Time Tracker shows you as idle or displays idle warnings even while you're actively using your mouse and keyboard, this means macOS has not granted Accessibility permissions to WebWork.

What happens without Accessibility permission:

• WebWork cannot detect your mouse and keyboard activity
• The tracker thinks you're idle even when working actively
• Idle popup warnings appear during active work sessions
• Time tracking may pause incorrectly
• Activity levels show as low or zero

This is normal macOS security protection. All apps need special permission to monitor keyboard and mouse activity.

How to fix this

Step 1: Update WebWork and macOS

1. Check for WebWork Tracker updates in the app settings
2. Install any available updates (or download the latest version directly)
3. Ensure your macOS is up to date
4. Restart WebWork after updating

Step 2: Enable Accessibility permission

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)
2. Click "Privacy & Security" in the left sidebar
3. Click "Accessibility" in the list
4. Look for "WebWork Tracker" in the applications list
5. Toggle the switch next to WebWork Tracker to ON (it turns blue/green)
6. If WebWork Tracker isn't listed:
   • Click the "+" button
   • Navigate to Applications folder
   • Select WebWork Time Tracker and click Add

Step 3: Restart WebWork

1. Completely quit WebWork Tracker
2. Launch WebWork again
3. The app should now detect your activity properly

How to check if it's working

After enabling Accessibility permission:

1. Return to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility
2. Verify WebWork Tracker toggle is ON (blue/green color)
3. Work normally for 5-10 minutes
4. Check that WebWork is tracking your activity without showing idle warnings
5. Verify activity levels are being recorded properly in the app

Still having issues?

WebWork Tracker not showing in Accessibility list:

• Make sure WebWork is installed and has been opened at least once
• Check if WebWork is in the Applications folder
• Try adding it manually using the + button

Cannot toggle the permission (grayed out):

• Click the lock icon 🔒 at the bottom of the Privacy window
• Enter your Mac administrator password
• You need admin privileges to change these privacy settings

Still showing as idle after enabling permission:

• Restart your Mac computer completely
• Check that Accessibility permission remains enabled after restart
• Ensure no other time tracking apps are conflicting
• If the issue persists, it means the permission changes haven't been reflected in the app - uninstall and reinstall WebWork, which will prompt for permissions again
• If problems continue, learn how to send an error log to support

Important information

About Accessibility permission:

• This permission allows WebWork to monitor your mouse and keyboard activity
• It's essential for accurate time tracking and activity detection
• WebWork only monitors activity levels, not specific keystrokes or content

Privacy protection:

• macOS Accessibility permissions protect your privacy
• Only grant this permission to trusted applications like WebWork
• WebWork uses this only to detect when you're actively working

What WebWork monitors:

• Mouse scrolls and clicks (not specific locations)
• Keyboard activity (not actual keystrokes or content)
• Overall activity levels for accurate time tracking
• Idle detection for productivity insights

Need more help? Contact support with your macOS version, WebWork version, and screenshots of your Accessibility settings if the issue continues.