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If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you may be wondering whether an app is using the camera or microphone. Apps should ask permission for access to use the camera or microphone, but you may not remember whether you gave permission. And you may wonder when and whether apps are actually using the camera and microphone if you gave those permissions.
Beginning with iOS 14, Apple introduced a new feature that uses green and orange dots to let iPhone and iPad users know whether an app is using the camera and microphone. But that feature proved to be confusing for many people.
Here’s an example of one of the many questions I got from Wonder of Tech readers about the new feature:
Q. I’ve noticed green and orange dots at the top of my iPhone screen. They are only there sometimes, they seem to come and go.
I don’t remember seeing those before and I’m wondering why they’re there. Are they a warning that something is wrong with my iPhone, kind of like a Check Engine light on my car?
Thanks for all of your help with The Wonder of Tech. I hope you can help answer my question about why there are green and orange dots on my iPhone sometimes and whether I need to do anything to fix my phone.
A. Good news. There is nothing wrong with your phone. You’re right, the green and orange dots you’re seeing on your phone are a feature added by Apple. And yes, they are there to alert you, but they aren’t there to alert you to a broken phone.
What the Green and Orange Dots Mean on Your iPhone
Beginning with iOS 14, released in September 2020, iPhones began showing green and orange dots at the top of the screen to alert users of what was happening with their phones.
The green dot shows that the camera is turned on and that an app is using your camera. It also can indicate that both the camera and microphone are being used by an app.
The orange dot shows that the microphone is turned on and that sound is being transmitted from your iPhone via an app.
Take a test to see if your phone is listening to you => Is Your Phone Is Listening to You? Here’s How to Stop It.
The dots appear at the top of the iPhone screen, as a security feature beginning with iOS 14. Similar to the arrow that appears at the top of the screen to show that you’re sharing your location, the green and orange dots alert you that you are being watched and/or listened to by an app.
If you don’t like that an app is using your camera and/or microphone, you can turn off permissions so the app no longer has access to them.
How to See Which App Is Using Your Camera and/or Microphone
If you see a green or orange dot, you may wonder which app has been using your camera or microphone. There’s an easy way to figure that out.
Swipe down from the upper right corner of your screen to open Control Center. At the top of Control Center should be the name of the app that has been using your camera or microphone.
If you haven’t given permission for that app to access your camera or microphone, delete the app immediately and report the app to Apple. If you no longer want an app to use your camera or microphone, you can turn off access for that app.
Turn Off App Permissions
When you download an app, the app may ask for access to your iPhone’s camera and microphone. Some apps need this access to function properly, while others seem to ask for permission for no discernable reason.
To adjust more privacy settings, check out => How to See Which Apps Have Permission to Read Your Email
You can easily turn off permission for an app to access your camera and microphone in Settings. In fact, reviewing which apps have access to your camera and microphone is a good idea to make sure your iPhone is more secure.
To turn off app permissions, go to Settings => Privacy. Tap Microphone or Camera to see a list of apps that have requested permission to access them. You’ll see some of the apps have camera or microphone access turned on, while others may have access turned off.
Turn off access for any apps that you don’t want accessing your camera or microphone. Don’t worry, you can turn these back on if you change your mind later.
Your Thoughts
Have you noticed the green and orange dots at the top of your iPhone screen? Did you know why they were there? Have you reviewed your app permissions? Were you surprised by any apps that had permission to access your camera or microphone?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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*iPhone image (edited) courtesy of Shutterstock via PicMonkey
