Skip to main content

Dialog: Incoming Call

How to Open

  • Appears automatically on incoming Sparks voice or video call (call button in chat)
  • 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

Not this dialog: Calls from Element or Element Call (MatrixRTC) via federated Matrix contacts use different signaling — no Sparks ringtone; optional desktop notification or automatic decline (settings). See Element Call and federation.

Distinct from chat notifications: Messages and meeting reminders use Teams-style in-app toasts (see Settings → Notifications). Incoming Sparks calls 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]((/img/screenshots/en/incoming-call-dialog.png)

See also: NOTIFICATIONS_CALLS_SCREENSHOTS.en.md