Privacy and security
Microphone access for apps
Most people call this which apps can hear you.
This list shows every app allowed to use the microphone, and an orange dot appears whenever one is listening.
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
- Microphone
What it does
Microphone access is granted per app and revocable at any time. The orange indicator in the status bar is drawn by the system and cannot be faked or hidden.
What changes
When it is on
The app can record audio while it is in use.
When it is off
Recording is blocked. Voice notes and calls within the app stop working.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Calls, voice notes and dictation need it.
Good reasons to turn it off
- An app with no audio feature does not need it.
- The permission is easy to grant and then forget about.
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 > Microphone
-
iOS 13 to iOS 15
Settings > Privacy > Microphone
Questions people actually ask
- Is my iPhone listening to me?
- An orange dot appears whenever the microphone is active. If you never see it, nothing is recording.
If it is not working
- An orange dot means the microphone is active now. Swipe down into Control Centre to see which app.
- Siri listening for its wake phrase is handled separately and does not show the indicator.