Ever messaged a colleague expecting a quick reply, only to find out later they were in back-to-back meetings or away on leave? In a busy team, knowing who is available — and who is not — saves everyone time and frustration.
That is exactly what Lark Status is for. It is a simple but powerful feature that lets you show your availability at a glance, set custom messages, and manage expectations effortlessly. Think of it as your team’s secret weapon for smoother communication.
This guide walks you through everything you can do with Lark Status — from setting your availability to customising how long it lasts.
Why Lark Status Matters for Teams
A clear status does more than just decorate your profile. For SMEs and startups where everyone wears multiple hats, it brings real benefits:
- Fewer interruptions. When you’re heads-down on deep work, a “Do not disturb” status tells colleagues to hold non-urgent messages.
- Better expectations. A teammate who sees you’re “In a meeting” knows not to expectan instant reply.
- Smoother collaboration. Knowing who’s available right now helps teams route questions to the right person faster.
- Respect for time off. An “On Leave” status means colleagues know you’re genuinely unavailable — so you can switch off properly.
Now let’s look at how to make the most of it.
Feature 1: Set Your Availability
The core of Lark Status is letting people know whether you’re busy, away, or ready to connect.
To set your status, click your profile picture, then open My Status. You’ll see a list of ready-made statuses you can apply instantly, such as:
- Do not disturb
- In meeting
- Taking a break
- On the way
Just select the one that fits, and your status updates immediately for everyone on your team.
Feature 2: Add a Custom Status and Emojis
Sometimes the default statuses don’t quite capture what you’re up to. Lark lets you add a personal touch with custom status messages and emojis.
Instead of a generic label, you can let colleagues know exactly what you’re doing — whether that’s “Focusing on the Q3 report 📊”, “Out for lunch 🍜”, or “Working from home today 🏠”. A little text and a fun emoji go a long way in making team communication feel more human.
Feature 3: System Status vs General Status
Lark organises your status options into two categories, found in the Status settings screen:
System Status
These are special statuses recognised across Lark, such as On Leave. When you set a system status like On Leave, it clearly signals to your whole team that you’re officially away — perfect for holidays and planned time off.
General Status
These are your everyday availability statuses, including:
- Do not disturb
- In meeting
- Taking a break
- …plus any custom statuses you create
You can also click + New Status to create your own custom status entries to reuse later.
Feature 4: Set Your Status Duration
One of the most useful parts of Lark Status is controlling how long your status stays active. There’s no point setting “In a meeting” if it stays on all day.
When you set a status, you can choose a duration such as:
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour
- 2 hours
- 4 hours
- A custom time (set your own end time)
Once the duration ends, your status automatically clears — so you never accidentally leave “Do not disturb” on for three days.
A Tip for Planning Time Off
Planning a well-deserved break? Set your status to Away or On Leave in Lark, along with a custom message if you like. This clearly tells your team you’re unavailable, so you can truly switch off and enjoy your time away — no interruptions, just relaxation.
A good “On Leave” message might include your return date and who to contact in your absence, for example: “On leave until 15 May 🌴 For urgent matters, please contact Sarah.”
Practical Scenarios for SMEs and Startups
Here’s how different team members can use Lark Status effectively:
- Sales team: Set “In client meeting” during calls so internal colleagues know to hold non-urgent questions.
- Customer support: Use “Do not disturb” during focused ticket-handling blocks, then switch to available for live coverage hours.
- Remote workers: A “Working from home today” custom status keeps distributed teams aligned on who’s where.
- Managers: Use “On Leave” for holidays and a custom message pointing to a backup contact, so the team isn’t blocked while you’re away.
- Anyone on deep work: A timed “Do not disturb” (say, 2 hours) protects focus time without you having to remember to turn it off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I set my status in Lark?
Click your profile picture, open My Status, and select a status such as Do not disturb, In meeting, or Taking a break. Your status updates instantly for your team.
2. How do I set a custom status in Lark?
In the My Status or Status settings panel, click + New Status to create a custom status with your own text and emoji. You can then apply it whenever you need it.
3. How long does a Lark status last?
You control the duration. Options typically include 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, or a custom end time. When the duration ends, your status clears automatically.
4. What is the difference between System Status and General Status?
System Status includes special statuses like On Leave that clearly signal official time away. General Status covers everyday availability like Do not disturb, In meeting, or your own custom statuses.
5. How do I set my status to On Leave in Lark?
Open Status settings and select On Leave under System Status. Add a custom message with your return date if you like, so colleagues know when you’ll be back.
6. Will my status clear automatically?
Yes. As long as you set a duration, Lark automatically removes your status when the time is up — so you won’t accidentally leave a status active longer than intended.
Communicate Smarter with Lark Status
Lark Status is a small feature with a big impact. By keeping your availability clear, you reduce interruptions, set the right expectations, and help your whole team work together more smoothly. And when it’s time for a break, a simple “On Leave” status lets you disconnect with peace of mind.
Make it a team habit: a quick status update at the start of each day or work block keeps everyone informed and collaboration flowing.
🚀 Ready to Power Your Business with Lark?
Lark Status is just one of the many features that make Lark an all-in-one platform for messaging, meetings, documents, and team collaboration.
As the Platinum Partner for Lark in Malaysia, Exabytes offers tailored Lark plans, hands-on onboarding, and dedicated local support to help your team communicate and work together more effectively.
