Can I disable the orange Microphone warning in Sequoia?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can I disable the orange Microphone warning in Sequoia?

Is it possible to disable the yellow microphone warning in Sonoma?

I'm using audio software (protools), so its on all the time - and its really bright.

Working in a dark theatre - everything on the screen is dark and muted, except this thing shouting at me.

Also, there is an orange icon in protools that lights up to warn me that automation follows edit is off... and this is just near that, so its stressing me out!!

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Dec 28, 2025 1:28 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

102,829 points

Dec 28, 2025 2:21 AM in response to Snodgrasss

No — Apple doesn’t let you disable or dim the microphone “in-use” indicator in macOS Sonoma.

It’s a hard-locked privacy feature.

What that yellow mic icon actually is

It’s the system privacy indicator (introduced in Big Sur).

It appears whenever any app is actively accessing the microphone.

Apple does not provide a preference, Terminal command, or accessibility option to turn it off, reduce brightness, or change colour.

Reply

Answer 2

Snodgrasss Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 28, 2025 3:55 AM in response to Owl-53

Thankyou Owl.

Well its not very professional!

The microphone isnt actually in use - the app is connected to an audio interface.

And it appears to cut the audio interface off if I dont allow mic access.

Seems not very well throught out for audio applications.

Ah well. Its a bit of black tape on the screen for now - how does one make a feature request to apple?

Things do run better on Sequoia though, I must say - just updated from Ventura.

(the little orange dot was much less intrusive though)

Reply

Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

102,829 points

Dec 28, 2025 4:51 AM in response to Snodgrasss

Feature requests can be submitted via the Feedback link below

Feedback - macOS - Apple

Though, adding a feature to macOS 15 Sequoia can be made.

It is highly unlikely Apple will add new features to macOS 15 at this late stage in the development of Sequoia

Right now, most of their developments are sorting out bugs and other oddities in current macOS 26 Tahoe

Come early 2026, no doubt, Apple will refocus their development to the successor of macOS Tahoe & onto macOS 27 ??? for release in the fall of that same year

So, do not hold your breath, sort of ( humour intended )

Painter Tap may work better as it tends to come off easily leaving little or no residue of tape glue on the screen

Reply