diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivity.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivity.kt
index 7721f0114..1ff53d481 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivity.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivity.kt
@@ -83,12 +83,31 @@ class NestActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
                     }
 
                     ACTION_PIP_LEAVE -> {
+                        // Tear down the speaker session + listener BEFORE
+                        // finish() so AudioRecord (and the system mic
+                        // indicator) releases promptly. onCleared() alone
+                        // runs late in the destroy lifecycle.
+                        pipCleanupAction?.invoke()
                         finish()
                     }
                 }
             }
         }
 
+    /**
+     * Wired by [NestActivityBody] via a DisposableEffect. Invokes
+     * `viewModel.leave()` so the broadcast handle + listener close
+     * route through `cleanupScope`/GlobalScope and survive Activity
+     * destruction. Called from PIP close paths (the overlay's Leave
+     * action and a swipe-dismiss while in PIP).
+     */
+    @Volatile
+    private var pipCleanupAction: (() -> Unit)? = null
+
+    fun setPipCleanupAction(action: (() -> Unit)?) {
+        pipCleanupAction = action
+    }
+
     private val _toggleMuteSignal =
         MutableSharedFlow<Unit>(replay = 0, extraBufferCapacity = 1, onBufferOverflow = BufferOverflow.DROP_OLDEST)
 
@@ -180,6 +199,22 @@ class NestActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
         enterPip()
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Detects a PIP swipe-dismiss. When the user dismisses the floating
+     * window the system finishes the activity, so [isFinishing] is true
+     * by the time onStop runs. Tearing down here (rather than waiting
+     * for onCleared) keeps AudioRecord + the system mic indicator from
+     * lingering through the destruction queue. Non-PIP onStop (Home /
+     * Recents while not in PIP) is a no-op so backgrounding doesn't
+     * teardown.
+     */
+    override fun onStop() {
+        if (isInPipMode.value && isFinishing) {
+            pipCleanupAction?.invoke()
+        }
+        super.onStop()
+    }
+
     /**
      * Enter Picture-in-Picture if the audio session is live and the
      * system supports PIP. Called both by [onUserLeaveHint] (Home /
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivityContent.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivityContent.kt
index 11d37caf6..065e38e25 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivityContent.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/activity/NestActivityContent.kt
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
 import androidx.compose.material3.OutlinedButton
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.DisposableEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.collectAsState
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.saveable.rememberSaveable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextAlign
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.R
@@ -274,6 +276,19 @@ private fun NestActivityBody(
     PipBridge(ui, pipMuteSignal, viewModel, onMuteState, onConnectedChange)
     NestForegroundServiceLifecycle(ui)
 
+    // Tell NestActivity how to tear the session down when the user
+    // closes PIP. Both close paths in PIP — the overlay's Leave
+    // action and a swipe-dismiss while in PIP — invoke this so the
+    // speaker handle close (releases AudioRecord and clears the
+    // system mic indicator) and the listener close run on
+    // cleanupScope/GlobalScope before the activity destruction
+    // queue eats viewModelScope.
+    val activity = LocalContext.current as? NestActivity
+    DisposableEffect(activity, viewModel) {
+        activity?.setPipCleanupAction { viewModel.leave() }
+        onDispose { activity?.setPipCleanupAction(null) }
+    }
+
     // Hand-raise is screen-local UI state; presence-publish picks it
     // up via the heartbeat and emits onstage / muted / publishing
     // alongside.
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestActionBar.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestActionBar.kt
index 4363fd3d3..4270f79c2 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestActionBar.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestActionBar.kt
@@ -74,18 +74,17 @@ import com.vitorpamplona.amethyst.ui.stringRes
  * Layout: `[ start cluster ] · · · [ end cluster ]` with an optional
  * red status strip above for connection / broadcast / mute failures.
  *
- * Start cluster — driven by connection × broadcast × on-stage state:
+ * Start cluster — driven by connection state only:
  *
- * | State                                       | Start cluster contents                  |
- * |---------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
- * | Idle / Closed / Failed connection           | `[Connect]`                             |
- * | Connecting / Reconnecting                   | status chip                             |
- * | Connected, audience                         | empty (system volume keys are enough)   |
- * | Connected, on stage, !canBroadcast          | `[Leave the Stage]`                     |
- * | Connected, on stage, mic idle               | `[Talk] [Leave the Stage]` (+ pill)     |
- * | Connected, on stage, going live             | status chip + `[Leave the Stage]`       |
- * | Connected, on stage, broadcasting           | `[MicMute] [Stop] [Leave the Stage]`    |
- * | Connected, on stage, broadcast failed       | `[Retry] [Leave the Stage]`             |
+ * | State                              | Start cluster contents |
+ * |------------------------------------|------------------------|
+ * | Idle / Closed / Failed connection  | `[Connect]`            |
+ * | Connecting                         | status chip            |
+ * | Reconnecting                       | status chip            |
+ * | Connected                          | empty                  |
+ *
+ * On-stage controls (Talk / MicMute / Leave the Stage) live in
+ * [StageControlsBar], attached to the bottom of the Stage card.
  *
  * End cluster: hand-raise (audience + connected only), react, leave room.
  */
@@ -94,8 +93,6 @@ internal fun NestActionBar(
     viewModel: NestViewModel,
     ui: NestUiState,
     isOnStage: Boolean,
-    canBroadcast: Boolean,
-    speakerPubkeyHex: String,
     handRaised: Boolean,
     onHandRaisedChange: (Boolean) -> Unit,
     onShowReactionPicker: () -> Unit,
@@ -116,13 +113,7 @@ internal fun NestActionBar(
                 horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
             ) {
                 Box(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f, fill = true)) {
-                    StartCluster(
-                        viewModel = viewModel,
-                        ui = ui,
-                        isOnStage = isOnStage,
-                        canBroadcast = canBroadcast,
-                        speakerPubkeyHex = speakerPubkeyHex,
-                    )
+                    StartCluster(viewModel = viewModel, ui = ui)
                 }
                 EndCluster(
                     isOnStage = isOnStage,
@@ -137,6 +128,57 @@ internal fun NestActionBar(
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Controls strip that attaches under the Stage card. Contains
+ * everything a speaker needs while on stage: Talk / MicMute / Retry +
+ * Leave the Stage. Renders nothing when the local user isn't on stage.
+ *
+ * Visibility uses two signals AND'd together:
+ *   - [isOnStage] — derived from `participantGrid.onStage` (kind-30312
+ *     role + presence `onstage` flag); flips on a real promote/demote
+ *     after the round-trip lands. Connection blips, broadcast state
+ *     churn, mute toggles, and permission flows do NOT change it.
+ *   - [ui.onStageNow] — the LOCAL intent flag. Flips synchronously on
+ *     `setOnStage(false)` so a Leave-the-Stage tap hides the bar on
+ *     the next frame, instead of waiting for the presence event to
+ *     sign, broadcast, and loop back through LocalCache (a delay made
+ *     visible in scenario "broadcast → mute → unmute → leave", where
+ *     the signer queues behind a pending mute frame + 500 ms debounce).
+ *
+ * AND-of-both also handles host demotion correctly: intent stays true
+ * but the aggregator drops us, so the bar still hides.
+ */
+@Composable
+internal fun StageControlsBar(
+    viewModel: NestViewModel,
+    ui: NestUiState,
+    isOnStage: Boolean,
+    canBroadcast: Boolean,
+    speakerPubkeyHex: String,
+    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
+) {
+    if (!isOnStage || !ui.onStageNow) return
+    Row(
+        modifier =
+            modifier
+                .fillMaxWidth()
+                .padding(top = 8.dp),
+        verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
+        horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp),
+    ) {
+        if (canBroadcast) {
+            OnStageControls(
+                viewModel = viewModel,
+                broadcast = ui.broadcast,
+                speakerPubkeyHex = speakerPubkeyHex,
+            )
+        } else {
+            // No signing/permission — only thing we can do is step down.
+            LeaveStageButton(onClick = { viewModel.setOnStage(false) })
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /** Single-line red error strip. Surfaces the most relevant failure. */
 @Composable
 private fun ActionBarStatusStrip(ui: NestUiState) {
@@ -166,9 +208,6 @@ private fun NestUiState.statusStripText(): String? {
 private fun StartCluster(
     viewModel: NestViewModel,
     ui: NestUiState,
-    isOnStage: Boolean,
-    canBroadcast: Boolean,
-    speakerPubkeyHex: String,
 ) {
     Row(
         verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
@@ -190,26 +229,10 @@ private fun StartCluster(
                 StatusChip(label = stringRes(R.string.nest_reconnecting))
             }
 
+            // On-stage controls live in [StageControlsBar]; audience
+            // has nothing to do here (system volume keys are enough).
             is ConnectionUiState.Connected -> {
-                when {
-                    canBroadcast && isOnStage -> {
-                        OnStageControls(
-                            viewModel = viewModel,
-                            broadcast = ui.broadcast,
-                            speakerPubkeyHex = speakerPubkeyHex,
-                        )
-                    }
-
-                    // On stage but no signing/permission — only thing we can do is step down.
-                    isOnStage -> {
-                        LeaveStageButton(onClick = { viewModel.setOnStage(false) })
-                    }
-
-                    // Audience: nothing here. Phone volume keys cover local volume.
-                    else -> {
-                        Unit
-                    }
-                }
+                Unit
             }
         }
     }
@@ -242,10 +265,6 @@ private fun OnStageControls(
 
         is BroadcastUiState.Broadcasting -> {
             MicMuteToggle(isMuted = broadcast.isMuted, onToggle = viewModel::setMicMuted)
-            // Stop sending audio without leaving the stage — viewer
-            // can pause the mic and resume later via Talk. Distinct
-            // from [LeaveStageButton], which also vacates the slot.
-            StopBroadcastButton(onClick = viewModel::stopBroadcast)
             LeaveStageButton(onClick = leaveStage)
         }
 
@@ -381,29 +400,6 @@ private fun TalkButton(
     }
 }
 
-/**
- * Big error-color 56dp mic button shown while broadcasting. Same
- * footprint as [TalkButton] so the on/off swap is impossible to miss.
- */
-@Composable
-private fun StopBroadcastButton(onClick: () -> Unit) {
-    FilledIconButton(
-        onClick = onClick,
-        modifier = Modifier.size(56.dp),
-        colors =
-            IconButtonDefaults.filledIconButtonColors(
-                containerColor = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.error,
-                contentColor = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onError,
-            ),
-    ) {
-        Icon(
-            symbol = MaterialSymbols.Mic,
-            contentDescription = stringRes(R.string.nest_stop_talking),
-            modifier = Modifier.size(28.dp),
-        )
-    }
-}
-
 /**
  * Cheap broadcast-side mute toggle. Keeps the MoQ session open and
  * just stops sending audio frames; unmute is sample-accurate.
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestFullScreen.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestFullScreen.kt
index c5ccc9bfd..77c241ec8 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestFullScreen.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/screen/NestFullScreen.kt
@@ -246,13 +246,25 @@ internal fun NestFullScreen(
                 onTapSelf = onTapSelf,
                 listenerCount = presences.size,
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(horizontal = 16.dp),
+                // Speaker controls live inside the Stage card so they
+                // only render when the user is actually on stage. This
+                // keeps the action bar narrow for audience and makes
+                // the controls appearing/disappearing a deliberate
+                // signal that the mic is now (or no longer) available.
+                bottomBar = {
+                    StageControlsBar(
+                        viewModel = viewModel,
+                        ui = ui,
+                        isOnStage = isOnStageMe,
+                        canBroadcast = viewModel.canBroadcast,
+                        speakerPubkeyHex = myPubkey,
+                    )
+                },
             )
             NestActionBar(
                 viewModel = viewModel,
                 ui = ui,
                 isOnStage = isOnStageMe,
-                canBroadcast = viewModel.canBroadcast,
-                speakerPubkeyHex = myPubkey,
                 handRaised = handRaised,
                 onHandRaisedChange = onHandRaisedChange,
                 onShowReactionPicker = { showReactionPicker = true },
@@ -360,6 +372,17 @@ internal fun NestFullScreen(
                                     R.string.nest_leave_host_close_failed,
                                 )
                             }
+                            // Tear down the speaker session + listener
+                            // BEFORE finishing the activity so the
+                            // AudioRecord (and the system mic indicator)
+                            // releases promptly. onCleared() alone runs
+                            // late in the destroy lifecycle and can
+                            // leave the mic held while the activity is
+                            // queued for destruction. Only the
+                            // "Close the Room" path triggers this — the
+                            // "Just leave" and non-host leave paths
+                            // still rely on onCleared.
+                            viewModel.leave()
                             onLeave()
                         }
                     },
@@ -371,6 +394,15 @@ internal fun NestFullScreen(
                 TextButton(
                     onClick = {
                         showHostLeaveConfirm = false
+                        // Tear down the speaker session + listener before
+                        // finishing so the AudioRecord (and the system mic
+                        // indicator) releases promptly. Same reasoning as
+                        // the Close the Room path — onCleared() runs late
+                        // in the destroy lifecycle and can leave the mic
+                        // held while the activity is queued for destruction.
+                        // Unlike Close the Room, this path leaves the
+                        // kind-30312 meeting space open for other users.
+                        viewModel.leave()
                         onLeave()
                     },
                 ) {
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/stage/ParticipantsGrid.kt b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/stage/ParticipantsGrid.kt
index 01ecb4181..0e8efdefb 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/stage/ParticipantsGrid.kt
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/java/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/ui/screen/loggedIn/nests/room/stage/ParticipantsGrid.kt
@@ -126,6 +126,10 @@ private val STAGE_MAX_HEIGHT = 320.dp
  *
  * When [members] is empty, renders an "Waiting for speakers…" hint
  * instead so the strip stays visually anchored.
+ *
+ * [bottomBar] is rendered inside the same Surface, below the grid —
+ * used to anchor speaker controls to the stage card so they only
+ * appear when the local user is on stage.
  */
 @Composable
 internal fun StageGrid(
@@ -140,6 +144,7 @@ internal fun StageGrid(
     myPubkey: String? = null,
     onTapSelf: (() -> Unit)? = null,
     listenerCount: Int = 0,
+    bottomBar: (@Composable () -> Unit)? = null,
 ) {
     // Float currently-speaking members to the top so the listener can
     // see who they're hearing without scrolling. sortedBy is stable in
@@ -193,32 +198,33 @@ internal fun StageGrid(
             }
             if (members.isEmpty()) {
                 EmptyStageHint()
-                return@Column
-            }
-            LazyVerticalGrid(
-                columns = GridCells.Adaptive(STAGE_CELL_MIN),
-                modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth().heightIn(max = STAGE_MAX_HEIGHT),
-                horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(GRID_SPACING),
-                verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(GRID_SPACING),
-            ) {
-                items(items = sortedMembers, key = { it.pubkey }) { member ->
-                    val isSelf = myPubkey != null && member.pubkey == myPubkey
-                    MemberCell(
-                        member = member,
-                        avatarSize = STAGE_AVATAR,
-                        isSpeaking = member.pubkey in speakingNow,
-                        audioLevel = audioLevels[member.pubkey] ?: 0f,
-                        isConnecting = member.pubkey in connectingSpeakers,
-                        showMicBadge = true,
-                        reactions = reactionsByPubkey[member.pubkey].orEmpty(),
-                        accountViewModel = accountViewModel,
-                        onLongPressParticipant = onLongPressParticipant,
-                        isSelf = isSelf,
-                        onTapSelf = if (isSelf) onTapSelf else null,
-                        modifier = Modifier.animateItem(),
-                    )
+            } else {
+                LazyVerticalGrid(
+                    columns = GridCells.Adaptive(STAGE_CELL_MIN),
+                    modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth().heightIn(max = STAGE_MAX_HEIGHT),
+                    horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(GRID_SPACING),
+                    verticalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(GRID_SPACING),
+                ) {
+                    items(items = sortedMembers, key = { it.pubkey }) { member ->
+                        val isSelf = myPubkey != null && member.pubkey == myPubkey
+                        MemberCell(
+                            member = member,
+                            avatarSize = STAGE_AVATAR,
+                            isSpeaking = member.pubkey in speakingNow,
+                            audioLevel = audioLevels[member.pubkey] ?: 0f,
+                            isConnecting = member.pubkey in connectingSpeakers,
+                            showMicBadge = true,
+                            reactions = reactionsByPubkey[member.pubkey].orEmpty(),
+                            accountViewModel = accountViewModel,
+                            onLongPressParticipant = onLongPressParticipant,
+                            isSelf = isSelf,
+                            onTapSelf = if (isSelf) onTapSelf else null,
+                            modifier = Modifier.animateItem(),
+                        )
+                    }
                 }
             }
+            bottomBar?.invoke()
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-cs-rCZ/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-cs-rCZ/strings.xml
index 3bfbf0de2..1b508f200 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-cs-rCZ/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-cs-rCZ/strings.xml
@@ -484,7 +484,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Zvuk selhal: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Zvuk pro tuto místnost není k dispozici</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Mluvit</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Přestat mluvit</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Opustit pódium</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Ztlumit mikrofon</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Zapnout mikrofon</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml
index 963e6569b..c9142ab85 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml
@@ -489,7 +489,6 @@ anz der Bedingungen ist erforderlich</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Audio fehlgeschlagen: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Audio ist für diesen Raum nicht verfügbar</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Sprechen</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Aufhören zu sprechen</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Bühne verlassen</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Mikrofon stumm</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Mikrofon aktivieren</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-hu-rHU/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-hu-rHU/strings.xml
index 0b18ebab6..05b0a77bf 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-hu-rHU/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-hu-rHU/strings.xml
@@ -486,7 +486,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Hanghiba: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">A hang nem érhető el ebben a szobában</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Beszéd</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Beszéd befejezése</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Színpad elhagyása</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Mikrofon némítása</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Mikrofon némításának megszüntetése</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-nl-rNL/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-nl-rNL/strings.xml
index 8cfff7d11..69e497589 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-nl-rNL/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-nl-rNL/strings.xml
@@ -460,7 +460,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Audio mislukt: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Audio is niet beschikbaar voor deze ruimte</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Praten</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Stoppen met praten</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Podium verlaten</string>
     <string name="nest_force_mute">Spreker forceren te dempen</string>
     <string name="nest_kick_action">Kicken</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pl-rPL/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pl-rPL/strings.xml
index 7ffedcc28..c27737cf8 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pl-rPL/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pl-rPL/strings.xml
@@ -483,7 +483,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Błąd dźwięku: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Dźwięk nie jest dostępny dla tego pokoju</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Mów</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Przestań mówić</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Zejść ze sceny</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Wycisz mikrofon</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Włącz mikrofon</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml
index ded5dccca..db09bd5e7 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml
@@ -484,7 +484,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Áudio falhou: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">O áudio não está disponível para esta sala</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Falar</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Parar de falar</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Sair do palco</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Silenciar microfone</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Ativar microfone</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sl-rSI/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sl-rSI/strings.xml
index 756aade6e..2f58f1582 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sl-rSI/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sl-rSI/strings.xml
@@ -497,7 +497,6 @@ Za podpisovanje se je potrebno prijaviti s privatnim ključem</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Napaka pri zvoku: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Zvok v tej sobi ni na voljo</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Govori</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Prenehaj govoriti</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Zapusti oder</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Izklopi mikrofon</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Vklopi mikrofon</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sv-rSE/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sv-rSE/strings.xml
index db38000ae..0a6b72dbc 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sv-rSE/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-sv-rSE/strings.xml
@@ -484,7 +484,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Ljudet misslyckades: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Ljud är inte tillgängligt för det här rummet</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Tala</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Sluta tala</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Lämna scenen</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Stäng av mikrofon</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Slå på mikrofon</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-zh-rCN/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-zh-rCN/strings.xml
index 8d5cbb0ed..b620ce38c 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values-zh-rCN/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values-zh-rCN/strings.xml
@@ -486,7 +486,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">音频失败: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">此聊天室没有音频可用</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">交谈</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">停止交谈</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">离开舞台</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">麦克风静音</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">取消麦克风静音</string>
diff --git a/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index af87760fa..959849ab3 100644
--- a/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/amethyst/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -516,7 +516,6 @@
     <string name="nest_audio_failed">Audio failed: %1$s</string>
     <string name="nest_audio_unavailable">Audio is not available for this room</string>
     <string name="nest_talk">Talk</string>
-    <string name="nest_stop_talking">Stop talking</string>
     <string name="nest_leave_stage">Leave stage</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_mute">Mute mic</string>
     <string name="nest_mic_unmute">Unmute mic</string>
diff --git a/commons/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/commons/viewmodels/NestViewModel.kt b/commons/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/commons/viewmodels/NestViewModel.kt
index e9c64fddf..60c7e6769 100644
--- a/commons/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/commons/viewmodels/NestViewModel.kt
+++ b/commons/src/commonMain/kotlin/com/vitorpamplona/amethyst/commons/viewmodels/NestViewModel.kt
@@ -545,6 +545,24 @@ class NestViewModel(
         teardown(targetState = ConnectionUiState.Idle, finalCleanup = false)
     }
 
+    /**
+     * User-driven leave-the-activity teardown. Mirrors [onCleared]: marks
+     * the VM closed and routes both the speaker handle close (which
+     * releases the AudioRecord and clears the system mic indicator) and
+     * the listener close to [cleanupScope] so the teardown survives
+     * Activity destruction. Call this from the leave-the-room button
+     * BEFORE finishing the activity; relying on [onCleared] alone leaves
+     * a window where the AudioRecord stays held while the activity is
+     * paused / queued for destruction.
+     */
+    fun leave() {
+        if (closed) return
+        closed = true
+        requestedSpeakers = emptySet()
+        teardownBroadcast(BroadcastUiState.Idle, finalCleanup = true)
+        teardown(targetState = ConnectionUiState.Closed, finalCleanup = true)
+    }
+
     override fun onCleared() {
         closed = true
         teardownBroadcast(BroadcastUiState.Idle, finalCleanup = true)