Privacy and security
Camera access for apps
Most people call this which apps can use your camera.
A single list shows every app that has asked for the camera and lets you revoke access from any of them.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- Privacy & Security
- Camera
What it does
Apps must ask before using the camera and the permission is recorded here. A green dot appears in the status bar whenever the camera is active, which no app can suppress.
What changes
When it is on
The app can use the camera when it is in the foreground.
When it is off
The app cannot open the camera at all.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Video calls, scanning and photo features need it.
Good reasons to turn it off
- An app that has no camera feature has no business holding the permission.
- Revoking it is reversible and costs nothing to try.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Helps
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Denied until an app asks and you allow it.
Where this setting used to live
Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.
-
iOS 16 and later
Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera
-
iOS 13 to iOS 15
Settings > Privacy > Camera
Questions people actually ask
- Can apps use my camera without me knowing?
- No. The green indicator appears whenever the camera is active and cannot be hidden by an app.
If it is not working
- A green dot in the status bar means the camera is in use right now.
- Newer releases let you grant access to a limited photo selection rather than the camera itself for some apps.
- If an app crashes after you revoke access, reopen it and allow when asked.