Indicators in status bar. What is a red dot?

now I know what the orange and green lights mean... what does a red light indicate?


iPhone XS Max, iOS 13

Posted on Sep 23, 2020 1:19 PM

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Posted on Nov 3, 2020 8:07 AM

You have 2 completely separate issues. The dot (whatever color) has been explained several times in the thread you posted to and apparently didn’t read, but here is the summary:

  • An Orange dot means the internal microphone is on. You will see it when you are on a phone call and not using a headset, or when using any app that uses the microphone (Siri, Zoom, WhatsApp, Signal, Skype, Telegram, Google Duo, FB Messenger, FaceTime, iMessage voice, Voice Recorder, Shazam, as well as any games that use the mic)
  • A Red dot is an orange dot that looks red because it is on an black background
  • A Green dot means that any camera is on


If your calls get disconnected you need to contact your carrier.

24 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 3, 2020 8:07 AM in response to JacoTaco

You have 2 completely separate issues. The dot (whatever color) has been explained several times in the thread you posted to and apparently didn’t read, but here is the summary:

  • An Orange dot means the internal microphone is on. You will see it when you are on a phone call and not using a headset, or when using any app that uses the microphone (Siri, Zoom, WhatsApp, Signal, Skype, Telegram, Google Duo, FB Messenger, FaceTime, iMessage voice, Voice Recorder, Shazam, as well as any games that use the mic)
  • A Red dot is an orange dot that looks red because it is on an black background
  • A Green dot means that any camera is on


If your calls get disconnected you need to contact your carrier.

Nov 24, 2020 6:52 PM in response to Candywright458

Here is Apple’s explanation ➡️ About the orange and green indicators in your iPhone status bar - Apple Support


specifically:

An orange indicator  means the microphone

is being used by an app on your iPhone.

This indicator may appear as a red dot if the 

Accessibility > Increase Contrast setting is on.



are you accusing Apple of lying?


Oct 19, 2020 1:24 PM in response to Lhabbjam

I’ve been trying to find the answer to this but I can’t find it I have in the right hand corner upper right hand corner by my notification sign for my battery on the opposite side of where my Wi-Fi statuse is There’s always been a red dot or a green dot now there’s an orange dot why are they there and what are the differences? I called Apple Support one time she asked me specifically if it was an orange dot and I said no and she said good because that means somebody’s recording?

Nov 8, 2020 2:18 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

I asked originally why the green light came on when I dial a number or when someone called me. It would then change to red. I never understood why, if green means the camera is being used, it would come on when the screen displayed the phone number calling or the the number being called by me. I even called Apple Support and they couldn't tell me why it was green first, then red. Can anyone address that?

Dec 5, 2020 8:04 AM in response to chele32

chele32 wrote:

My problem isn’t that the dot is red - it’s that my face doesn’t show when using FaceTime. I can’t see it and the recipient can’t see it. It says paused. I can see and hear them but they can SEE me.

That has absolutely nothing to do with the Mic/Camera indicator. Please create a NEW post describing your issue so people who think they can help will see it.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Indicators in status bar. What is a red dot?

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