Over the summer, we fielded several questions from teens, adults, and caregivers about what the orange and green dots on the top of an iPhone/Android phone mean.
In today’s digital age, our cellphones have become indispensable tools for both teens and their parents. These devices store our most personal information and connect us with the world, but they also raise concerns about privacy and security. If you’ve ever noticed a little orange or green dot in the top-right corner of your iPhone or Android device and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explain what these notification dots are, and explain why they matter to both teens and their parents.
What’s That Orange Dot on Your iPhone?
If you’ve spotted an orange dot at the top-right corner of your iPhone screen, just above your cellular bars, this dot indicates an app is currently using your phone’s microphone. This could be any third-party app or even some basic functions like making calls, using Siri, or dictating text messages.
Identifying Which Apps are Using Your Microphone
To find out which app is using your microphone, follow these steps:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen.
- Look for the orange icon at the top of your screen with the device next to it.
- This will reveal the app currently utilizing your microphone.
To turn off the ability for an app to use the iPhone mic:
- Tap “System Settings”
- Tap “Privacy & Security”
- Click “Microphone”
- Turn the access to the microphone on or off for each app in the list
What About the Green Dot on Your iPhone?
When you see a green dot in the same spot as the orange dot, it lets you know that an app is actively using either your phone’s camera or the camera along with the microphone.
Discovering Which Apps Are Accessing Your Camera
To identify which app is using your camera or camera with the microphone:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen.
- Find the green icon at the top of your screen with the device next to it.
- This will reveal the app currently accessing your camera.
To turn off the ability for an app to use the iPhone mic:
- Tap “System Settings”
- Tap “Privacy & Security”
- Click “Camera”
- Turn the access to the Camera on or off for each app in the list
Understanding Green Dots on Android Devices
For Android users on version 12 or later, you’ll only notice a green dot indicator, as there is no orange dot. This green dot appears in the top-right corner of your screen whenever an app accesses your phone’s camera or microphone.
Identifying Which Android Apps Are Using Your Microphone or Camera
To find out which apps are accessing your microphone or camera on Android:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to reveal the notification bar.
- Click the green icon top right corner, and you’ll see a list of apps currently using your camera or microphone.
To turn off the ability for an app to use the Android Mic or Camera:
- Scroll down from top of screen
- Tap on green icon top right of screen
- Tap on “Being used by camera” or Being used by Mic”
- Click on Camera and click on “Don’t allow”
- Click on Microphone and click on “Don’t allow”
What If You Can’t Find the App Using Your Microphone or Camera?
If you observe your microphone or camera in use without any apparent app running, it could mean that an app has been granted permission to access these features even when it’s not active, or your phone might have been compromised. In such cases:
- Check your device’s permission settings to see which apps have access to your microphone or camera.
- If you suspect your phone has been hacked, refer to resources like “Is your device spying on you?” for step-by-step instructions to identify unauthorized access.
- Consider adding antivirus software to your phone for added protection against malware.
The little orange and green dots on your cellphone represent essential privacy and security features that help you stay in control of your device. By understanding what these dots mean and how to manage app permissions, both teens and their parents can take proactive steps to protect their personal information and ensure a safer digital experience. Stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy your cellphone responsibly!
The White Hatter
