<p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/602daf8a31eb0600197c3e0b-2400/apple smart phone iphone 11 cox 13.jpg" border="0" alt="apple smart phone iphone 11 pro" data-mce-source="Crystal Cox/Business Insider"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>If you're an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iPhone</a> user, you may have noticed that an orange dot and a green dot now occasionally appear in the top corner of the screen. </p><p>These dots are called indicator lights, and they alert users to when an app uses their camera or microphone. This new feature is part of Apple's wider push to protect its users' privacy. </p><h2><strong>The orange light</strong> <strong>dot on iPhone means an app is using your microphone</strong></h2><p>When an orange dot appears in the top-right corner of your screenright above your cellular barsthis means that an app is using your iPhone's microphone.</p><p>For example, if you're recording a reminder using the Voice Memo app, the orange dot will appear. The orange dot also appears when making phone calls or using the Siri function. </p><p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/602d7c2742b84000192f40a2-868/dot1.png" border="0" alt="dot1" data-mce-source="Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider" data-mce-caption="The orange dot appears when an app is using your microphone, like when you're making a phone call."></p><h2><strong>The green light dot on iPhone means an app is using your camera or your camera and microphone simultaneously</strong></h2><p>When the green dot appears in the top-right corner of your screenalso right above your cellular barsit's an indication that an app is using your iPhone's camera, or both its camera and microphone.</p><p>For example, if you open Instagram and use the Stories feature to make a video with sound, the green light will appear to indicate that the app is using your iPhone's camera and microphone. It'll also appear when you place a FaceTime call.</p><p><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/602d7dbb31eb0600197c3d1d-800/dot2.png" border="0" alt="dot2" data-mce-source="Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider" data-mce-caption="The green dot appears when your camera is being used, like when you're FaceTiming."></p><h2><strong>How to know which app is using your iPhone's camera and/or microphone</strong></h2><p>Apple makes it simple to find out what app is using your iPhone's microphone or camera.</p><p>When a green or orange dot appears, simply swipe down from the screen's top-right corner to access the Control Center. At the top, the name of the app will appear, along with whether it used your phone's camera or microphone.</p><p>For example, if you used Instagram, it should read "Instagram, recently" with an icon of either a camera or a microphone.</p><p><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/602d7e6942b84000192f40ab-591/dot3.png" border="0" alt="dot3" data-mce-source="Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider" data-mce-caption="Your iPhone's Control Center will tell you which apps were using your mic and/or camera."></p><h2><strong>Why the indicator lights matter</strong></h2><p>With the iOS 14 update, Apple introduced a number of new tools to help users protect their privacy, and force apps to be more transparent with how they use your phone.</p><p>The indicator lights are part of that, alerting users if third-party apps use their microphone or camera without consent. If you find that an app is accessing your microphone or camera without prompting, you should delete and report it.</p><h2><strong>Related coverage from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">Tech Reference</a>:</strong></h2><ul><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-wont-my-iphone-update-to-ios-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">Why won't my iPhone update to iOS 14': How to troubleshoot your iPhone's updating issues in 4 ways<br></a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-take-your-temperature-on-iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">How to take your temperature on your iPhone by using a Kinsa smart thermometer</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-search-photos-on-iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">How to search for photos on an iPhone to find specific dates, places, people, and more</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-access-control-center-on-iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to access the Control Center on any iPhone and customize its device shortcuts</a></h3></li><li><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-delete-widget-screen-on-iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-analytics-post-depth="100">You can't delete the widget screen feature on an iPhone entirelyhere's how to disable it from your lock screen for security purposes, or remove apps from it</a></h3></li></ul><p><strong>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-iphone-accessories'tht" >The best iPhone accessories</a></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/green-orange-light-dot-on-iphone#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-symphony-seas-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-deals-with-waste-2020-3">How waste is dealt with on the world's largest cruise ship</a></p>
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