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Orange dot won't turn off on iPhone

Ever since updating my iPhone XR to IOS 14.0.1 the little orange dot signifying that my microphone is on, won’t go off. I’ve tried closing out of all apps, shutting down the phone, turning off the ability to use microphone in all apps but the orange light persists. My next step is to reset the phone but I would rather not do that if I can help it.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]


iPhone XR, iOS 14

Posted on Sep 28, 2020 6:53 AM

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Posted on Nov 3, 2020 10:27 AM

Re-read what was written above!! - all apps closed out none given ability to use microphone.

Same issue on my iphone - All apps have been turned off in privacy setting, orange light still comes on without identifying any app still being used. Either this is an Apple bug or there is an app on the phone that can't be viewed or is not being identified by IOS.

152 replies

Nov 14, 2020 7:04 AM in response to Chard36

By all means get an Android. They are absolutely perfect! No orange light to warn you your mic is on, no warnings that many of the apps in the play store are spyware or worse. And don’t forget to install a good antivirus.


Watch Out! New Android Banking Trojan Steals From 112 Financial Apps

Google Removes 21 Malicious Android Apps from Play Store

Beware: New Android Spyware Found Posing as Telegram and Threema Apps


No one here cares what you spend your money on.

Nov 20, 2020 10:21 AM in response to couvf150

couvf150 wrote:

Not true! Turned off microphone & camera on all apps & orange dot is still appearing on all my phone calls on my
iPhone 11.

When I check to see which app is spying it lists phone. Invasion of Privacy Apple!!!

What in the world would you expect to see? When you make or receive a phone call, you are using the microphone. Your claim of invasion of privacy is unfounded and absurd.

Nov 20, 2020 11:22 AM in response to couvf150

couvf150 wrote:

When I check to see which app is spying it lists phone. Invasion of Privacy Apple!!!

The purpose of the icon is not to determine if someone is spying, it activates when the microphone is in use. The fact the phone is using it supports the fact that you are in a phone call. Now, if it was on and you were not actively using the microphone, i.e. not in a call, or not using any other app using the microphone and Control Center identified an app using it, then you have something to be concerned about. Apple does not record phone calls. As a matter of fact, Apple does not even provide the ability to record phone calls on the iPhone because it is illegal in multiple jurisdictions.

Dec 1, 2020 2:01 AM in response to jasmine1191

So my iPhone has the orange dot in the right corner, I’ve switched everything off it’s still there, it’s a new phone so I’m assuming it’s a bug but it makes me very uncomfortable thinking someone’s possibly listening or recording my conversation. Even when on whatsap call it’s still showing an orange dot. Can anyone help?

Dec 1, 2020 3:11 AM in response to fai32

fai32 wrote:

So my iPhone has the orange dot in the right corner, I’ve switched everything off it’s still there, it’s a new phone so I’m assuming it’s a bug but it makes me very uncomfortable thinking someone’s possibly listening or recording my conversation. Even when on whatsap call it’s still showing an orange dot. Can anyone help?

When you use the microphone, you will see the orange dot. Plain and simple. If you are that worried about having your conversations recorded, start sending text messages and don’t use the phone as a phone.

Dec 6, 2020 3:15 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Obviously the orange dot shows microphone when on a call. But why before the last upgrade did it not need to be there? Since the orange dot there have been more issues with echoing than without. Does it matter to have this orange dot? Don’t think so considering we didn’t have it before...that’s the issue. All of a sudden now we need this dot? Why????

Dec 6, 2020 3:23 PM in response to Chard36

Chard36 wrote:

. All of a sudden now we need this dot? Why????

Why? Because Apple thought it was a wise security measure to notify their billion or so product users when one of the million or so available apps might have access to their microphone or camera. Yes, it might be overkill when it shows for using the microphone when making a phone call, but I bet those billion or so Apple product users would be quite happy to be notified if App “X2Y3Z4” was using their microphone without permission.

Dec 6, 2020 4:07 PM in response to deggie

Folks, I have an issue with the orange & green dot. Someone is accessing my microphone & camera. I have unchecked microphone & camera in all my apps & it still appears! I was cooking in the kitchen & happened to look down at my phone & orange dot was on! What caused that? I was not using my phone. I don’t like Big Brother or Big Tech spying on me & u shouldn’t either😡

Orange dot won't turn off on iPhone

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