Ubuntu – Confused on the new tray icon and dock in ubuntu 17.10 gnome

17.10gnomeicons

As I understand it, Ubuntu by default uses some sort of fork of this extension: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/615/appindicator-support/

Bits confusing me:
In Gnome Tweak, the Ubuntu Dock and Ubuntu appindicators are shown as "off", despite being on. Is this a bug in Tweak? Or is this because of the special Ubuntu session?

With the defaults, the "appindicators" are tiny, but with the proper appindicator extension, they're slightly bigger and obviously look better. Why is the Ubuntu session giving tiny icons in the tray?

Notes, this question also noticed the small icon issue: Ubuntu 17.10 small tray icons

This question also notes the extensions show up as disabled on the Ubuntu session, despite obviously being on: Icon(s) missing from top bar after an upgrade to Ubuntu 17.10

This is not about missing icons.

Best Answer

I can suggest an ugly workaround. Try at your own risk.

  • Remove Ubuntu appindicators (not at all recommended, it will remove ubuntu-desktop metapackage) by running

    sudo apt-get remove gnome-shell-extension-appindicator

  • Install and activate KStatusNotifierItem/AppIndicator Support. It should show most of the app icons excluding electron based apps (Skype, Wire etc.), Thunderbird with Firetray etc. with the correct icon sizes.

  • Install and activate TopIcons or TopIcons Plus for the rest of the app icons.

I'm not sure whether installing "KStatusNotifierItem/AppIndicator Support" is necessary. But in my case TopIcons Plus is showing only the app icons not supported by "Ubuntu appindicators" or "KStatusNotifierItem/AppIndicator Support".

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