Your Cart is Empty
With iOS 14 bringing a plethora of new features, layouts and upgrades, Apple have also introduced a subtle, yet handy, privacy-minded feature. As the world's population becomes more and more safety conscious and aware of what is going on around them, privacy features are continually being called upon and asked for to ensure people feel comfortable and safe using the latest technology.
Apple's latest feature is two small dots - one green and one orange - which appear when different features are being utilised on your phone. Each dot appears at the top of your screen and will vary depending on your model.
Here is what each dot means and why they are important to take note of:
The orange dot is new way of informing you that your microphone is in use and recording what is going on around them, whether intentionally or not. This means, if you see the dot, you could be recording a voice memo, dictating to Siri or any other function that requires the use of your microphone.
If you do not appear to be doing anything that requires the use of a microphone, it may be that one of your apps is recording in the background, most likely without your permission. This is obviously a huge privacy concern that many have had in the past, and now Apple has found a solution to quickly identify any unwanted recording that may be taking place.
If you want to identify what is using the microphone when the orange dot appears, simply pull down the control centre from the top of the screen. This will show you who the culprit is and you can uninstall or change settings if you want to.
The green dot is an indication that your camera is in use and operates in the same way that the orange dot does. That is why you will often see it if you have a Face ID model iPhone when you are unlocking your phone. You will also see it when using apps such as FaceTime, Snapchat or taking a selfie.
The green dot will also appear when you are using the rear camera. This allows you to monitor both you front and rear camera and ensure that no background running apps are using either without your permission or knowledge.
Apple has always placed a strong emphasis on ensuring the privacy of their customers is top priority. With all apps now available one iOS 14, Apple has put in place measures to ensure privacy policies are available for every singe one. This allows you to read, before you download the app, and see if there are any concerns that you may have before committing to having it running on your phone.
The green and orange dots are two simple and small ways that Apple have increased their privacy awareness and are features that all iPhone users should be aware of.
Here at DeXTech, we are here to help you with your technology requirements. We stock a wide range of Apple products, from the iPhone 4s all the way through to the iPhone XS, plus the iPad range. Along with this, we carry a huge range of Android smartphones and tablets, including Samsung, Pixel and LG. With these devices on hand we are able to offer technical support every step of the way from assisting to get your device setup to dealing with issues such as network issues or software troubleshooting. We have a helpful team who can lend a hand via our tech support email address: support@dextech.co.nz. Do not hesitate to reach out!
