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Area: Calls

Path: /calls
Icon: Call icon in the sidebar

Overview​

The Calls area is for voice and video calls, the Contacts tab, call history, and speed dial.

Layout​

ElementDescription
Tab barContacts, Call Log, Speed Dial
ListContacts, calls, or speed-dial entries
SearchIn the Contacts tab and call log
Main areaDetails or call/meeting interface

Tabs in Calls Area​

TabDescription
ContactsContacts from connected providers; start call or video
Call LogPast calls (incoming, outgoing, missed, voicemail)
Speed DialQuick access to important contacts

1:1 Calls​

Start Call​

  1. Open Contacts or Speed Dial
  2. Search or select contact
  3. Click Call (audio only) or Video
  4. Incoming Call appears for the other party

During Call​

  • Mute (microphone on/off)
  • Camera on/off
  • Screen share for presentations
  • End call – red handset icon

End-to-End Encryption​

  • For 1:1 calls, E2EE can be enabled in Settings → Privacy
  • Both participants must have E2EE enabled
  • Shield icon indicates encrypted connection

Calls from Element / federated Matrix contacts​

Contacts on other Matrix servers (e.g. with Element Call) may call you via Element — not via the Sparks call button. Sparks cannot accept those calls in the meeting UI (as of June 2026).

Optionally configure under Settings → Chats and channels whether Sparks declines, notifies, or ignores such calls. Details: Element Call and federation

After the meeting​

  • In Call log for an appointment: Poll results (organizer) – overview and CSV export from the meeting Matrix room

Meetings​

Join Meeting​

  1. Via link (e.g. from calendar) or "Join Meeting" + link/code
  2. Pre-Join: Test camera, microphone, background
  3. Click "Join Meeting"

Meeting Toolbar​

  • Chat: Messages in meeting (when linked to Matrix room)
  • Q&A: Ask questions, moderators answer
  • Polls: Quick polls and questionnaires – participate (everyone); create/start (moderators, PL ≥ 50). Stage dialog for active quick polls.
  • Participants: Show/hide list
  • Breakout rooms: Moderators create and manage
  • Raise hand, Reactions
  • View: Gallery (grid) or Speaker
  • Whiteboard: Excalidraw
  • Background effects: Blur or custom image

Moderator Features​

  • Create breakout rooms, assign participants
  • Recording (server setup required), meeting timer
  • Pin, spotlight, remove participants

Roles: Moderator vs. Participant​

Detailed explanation: Meeting Roles: Moderator and Participant

Requirements​

  • Calls: Microphone and camera permissions (system settings)
  • Parallel calls (e.g. Microsoft Teams + Sparks on Windows): see Parallel meeting apps
  • Element Call / federation: Element Call and federation
  • Call log: Typically OIDC with telephony/Conf backend; optional Vista node local call log
  • Transcripts: Live captions vs. persisted transcript; availability and who can read depend on server setup (Data backends)