Bug 462426

Summary:	Allow forcing Microphone Indicator to "Always shown" in the System Tray
Product:	[Plasma] plasmashell	Reporter:	aTosser <atosser>
Component:	Microphone Indicator widget	Assignee:	Plasma Bugs List <plasma-bugs-null>
Status:	CONFIRMED ---
Severity:	wishlist	CC:	kde, nate, voidpointertonull+bugskdeorg
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	5.26.3
Target Milestone:	1.0
Platform:	Gentoo Packages
OS:	Linux
See Also:	https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=447123
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description aTosser 2022-11-30 05:50:36 UTC

SUMMARY
Currently, the microphone indicator is not an entry in the list in the System Tray Settings page unless you are a microphone is being accessed. (Bug 447123) When you select "Always shown" in the visibility drop down. The microphone icon leaves both the entries list and the system tray when you stop accessing the microphone.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Begin recording audio
2. Open System Tray settings
3. Locate Microphone Indicator in the entries list and select "Always shown" in the visibility drop down.
4. Apply
5. Stop recording audio

6. Witness Microphone Indicator removal from system tray as well as the entries list in System Tray settings.

I would like to see the status of my microphone at a glance and it seems it should be honoring the visibility setting.

Operating System: Gentoo Linux 2.9
KDE Plasma Version: 5.26.3
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.100.0
Qt Version: 5.15.5
Kernel Version: 6.0.9-gentoo-dist (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: X11

Comment 1 Nate Graham 2022-11-30 22:04:53 UTC

In the meanitme, you can add it as a standalone widget to your panel.

Comment 2 Pedro V 2024-09-29 13:52:38 UTC

Kind of a duplicate of 447123 , but this one contains helpful additional information.

I wonder if there was a regression at some point, or I used to have a widget for this.
Recently went for a fresh install, and was surprised not to even find a Microphone entry initially.

Although I guess not that common, some laptops have a microphone mute function button with a feedback LED, and this functionality seems to be the best candidate for a software-based replacement for that.