If you have noticed small orange or green dots appearing in the top-right corner of your iPhone screen and wondered what they are, this guide will explain exactly what they mean — and why they are actually there to protect your privacy.
The Green Dot
A green dot means an app is currently using your camera, or your camera and microphone together. You will usually see it when you are on a video call in FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom. It can also appear in camera apps or any app that has been given camera access.
The important thing to know: if you see a green dot and you are not knowingly using your camera in any app, that is worth investigating. It should not appear out of nowhere.
The Orange Dot
An orange dot means an app is using your microphone. This appears when you are on a phone call, recording a voice note, using a voice assistant, or in any app that is listening through the microphone.
Again, if you see an orange dot when you have not been speaking to your phone or using any recording feature, it is worth checking which app is responsible.
How to See Which App Is Using the Camera or Microphone
When you see one of these dots, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Centre. At the top of Control Centre, you will see a notice telling you which app was most recently using the camera or microphone. This lets you identify exactly what is running.
What to Do If an App Is Using Them Unexpectedly
If you are concerned about an app having access it should not have:
- Go to Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera to see which apps have permission to use your camera. You can remove permission for any app with a simple toggle.
- Go to Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone for the same list for microphone access.
- Remove access from any app that does not genuinely need it. A shopping app, for example, has no reason to access your microphone.
A Note on Privacy
Apple introduced these indicator dots specifically so that you always know when your camera or microphone is active. No app can secretly use them without the dot appearing — it is enforced at the hardware level. This is one of the ways iPhones protect your privacy in a straightforward, visible way.
Next time you see a coloured dot, you will know exactly what it means and how to check which app triggered it. It is a simple but effective tool for keeping tabs on what your phone is doing.