Your iPhone and iOS user interface is designed for efficiency and intuitive navigation from page to page. In fact, several of the iPhone’s most important readouts are actually at the top of the screen all the time. This includes things like the current time, battery level, Wi-Fi strength, and whether or not you’re using mobile data. But have you ever noticed the green and orange dots that occasionally hang up?
Dots appeared in iOS 14, and tapping these colorful orbs doesn’t actually do anything. So what do they even mean? You’re not the only person who has asked this question, which is why we’ve put together this green dot, orange dot explanation. By the time you’re done reading, we’re willing to bet you’ll know more about this basic iOS than most of your friends and family.
What does the green dot on your iPhone mean
A green dot appears on your iPhone whenever an app uses your iPhone’s cameras. It can also indicate when an app is using your camera and microphone together. The green dot doesn’t distinguish between an app that uses your camera for pictures or video, but if an app uses it to record video, assume that the microphone is also activated.
Common apps that will display a green dot on your iPhone include FaceTime, Instagram, Snapchat, or the camera app itself. The green dot is useful for tracking when your camera is in use, so you can track when you might be filmed or photographed.
What does the orange dot on your iPhone mean
An orange dot will appear at the top of your iPhone screen every time your microphone is being used to record audio. You’ll usually see it when you’re using something like the Voice Memos app, when you’re making calls, or when you’re using the text-to-text feature to record something with your voice.
While all apps should ask for your permission to access your microphone when they open them for the first time, the orange dot can help you track which apps are actively using your microphone.
If you have an iPhone 14 or later, you’ll see these green and orange dots inside Dynamic Island. If you have a notch iPhone model, green and orange dots will appear in the upper right corner of the screen.
What is Dynamic Island?
If you’re using an iPhone 14 or later, Dynamic Island is located at the very top of your iPhone’s screen. When you use certain apps and widgets, you’ll be able to see different features through your phone’s dynamic island.
An example would be if you started a recording in Voice Recordings. The recording indicator and time stamp will be visible on Dynamic Island, so you can continue using other apps while still monitoring the progress of your recording.
Could green and orange dots mean you’ve been hacked?
Maybe. First and foremost, you should check if there are any apps running in the background that you forgot about. The orange dot may also appear as an orange square if you have the Differentiate without color setting enabled.
However, if you know you don’t have any apps running, your phone might be a target for hackers who could use third-party apps to maliciously access your device. In this case, it’s best to turn off your iPhone, change your Wi-Fi name and password, and contact your carrier.
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