Skip to main content

Dialog: Incoming Call

How to Open​

  • Appears automatically on incoming Sparks voice or video call (call button in chat)
  • Also appears for Element Call (MatrixRTC) when settings use “Ring and answer in Sparks”
  • Card overlay on the main app (foreground) or a dedicated window on desktop when Sparks is in the background
  • Tauri desktop: When the app is in the background, a separate call window opens on the monitor that hosts the main window

Other Element/Matrix modes: With MatrixRTC Ignore, Decline, or Notify only, and for legacy VoIP, this dialog does not appear (optional desktop alert or auto-decline only). See Element Call and federation.

Distinct from chat notifications: Messages and meeting reminders use Teams-style in-app toasts (see Settings → Notifications). Ringing incoming calls (Sparks and MatrixRTC “answer”) appear only in this dialog — not in the toast stack. While a call is ringing, message/meeting toasts are suppressed.

Dialog Content​

ElementDescription
CallerName or number, optional avatar and presence badge
Call typeVoice or video (label under the name)
Statuse.g. “Incoming video call”, ring progress
ButtonsSee actions below

Actions​

ActionDescription
Answer with audio (microphone icon)Accept call with camera off
Answer with video (camera icon)Accept with camera on; disabled for voice-only calls
Decline (red icon)Reject call; may appear as missed in Call log

Presentation by Platform​

SituationBehavior
App in foreground (web/desktop/mobile)Floating card in a corner over the main UI
Desktop app in background (Tauri)Separate call window with the same card (gray surface, centered)
Web in backgroundOS/browser notification as fallback; click returns to app and dialog

Notifications​

  • Desktop (Tauri, background): Dedicated call window — no Teams-style toast for calls
  • Desktop/web (background): System notification may appear in addition; click opens the dialog
  • Mobile: Push notification (when configured)

Ringtone and Presence​

  • If your status is Busy, Do not disturb, or similar, the incoming-call ringtone is usually muted (the dialog can still appear).
  • Mobile exception: Under Settings → Notifications and Activity, Ring on mobile when Busy or Do not disturb (default On) keeps the ringtone on phones/tablets even in those states; turn it Off to match desktop behavior.

Permissions​

  • Microphone: Required for voice calls
  • Camera: Required for video calls
  • If denied: you can still accept, but without audio/video until permissions are granted in system settings

End-to-End Encryption​

  • With E2EE enabled: shield icon indicates encrypted connection
  • Both participants must have E2EE enabled under Privacy

📸 Screenshot: Incoming call