Microphone and on-air ring

Muting the microphone

Press Control Option M⌃⌥M, choose Mute Microphone in the menu bar menu, click the Control tab’s Mute mic tile, or type mute in the command field. The mic mutes in every app, by its mute control, or by turning its input level down when it has none.

A red badge stays in the closed notch while it’s muted, beside whatever else is showing. With Two at once off, it shows only when nothing else does.

The closed notch with a red muted microphone badge at the end of the right ear. — Muted

Music in the closed notch, with the red mute badge at the end of the right ear. — Muted, with music playing

The switches are in Settings›Live Activities: Muted microphone for the badge, and Mute shortcut under Options for the shortcut.

The on-air ring

A thin ring outlines the closed notch while a camera or the mic is in use: green for a camera, orange for the mic.

The closed notch outlined in green. — A camera is on

The closed notch outlined in orange, with music and the mute badge. — The mic is in use

Like macOS’s own indicator, it leaves out Siri listening for its name.

Turn it off with On-air ring in Settings›Live Activities›Options.