Staying updated with your phone’s software is one of the top methods to guarantee that your device performs at its best. Occasionally, an update can bring features and settings you’ve never encountered before, similar to those seen on iPhones with the launch of iOS 18.4 earlier this year. Alongside the standard bug fixes and system enhancements, this iOS version also introduced a new UI feature: a black dot located to the right of the Dynamic Island.
Surprisingly, the black dot is simply a visual upgrade for two privacy indicators that debuted with iOS 14, namely the orange and green dots. A green dot signifies that an iPhone app is accessing your camera, while an orange dot indicates that an app is utilizing your phone’s internal microphone. In iOS 18.4, developers relocated the indicators from the Dynamic Island and added a black background to both, improving their visibility.
To remove the green or orange dots with a black background, you just need to close the app that is accessing your iPhone’s camera or microphone. If you’re uncertain which software is causing these indicators to appear, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access Control Center. Here, you will find usage details for active apps, including which software is using the camera or microphone.
You cannot turn off the dots, but you can manage your privacy.
When looking for privacy indicators on phones, such as the green dot on Android devices, it is wise also to monitor which apps your phone is operating. Regardless of whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, a privacy indicator might be your sole warning of potential malware running in the background, especially if you are confident that your apps are not causing it.
How might it have appeared initially? There are numerous ways, one of which is through a compromised connection. This is why it’s advisable to steer clear of public USB charging stations, or at the very least, use a protective accessory like JSAUX’s USB Data Blocker if you absolutely need to charge your device and lack a portable charger.
Regrettably, if the green or orange dot bothers your iOS experience, there’s no universal off switch for the indicators. However, you can individually grant and revoke camera and microphone access. To do this, go to Settings, tap Privacy & Security, and select Camera or Microphone. Once you revoke an app’s access to the camera or microphone from the list, the indicator dots should no longer show up when you use that software, and they will remain off for any apps you have not authorized.
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