Orange mic and fading clock time in iPhone's left upper corner

Sometimes an orange mic pic appears in left upper corner. Then it changes to a fading orange clock time. What does it mean? Someone recording me? How do I turn this off?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: what does the orange mic or orange flashing fading clock time mean in left upper corner?

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Sep 9, 2025 1:24 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 9, 2025 6:44 AM

anskunen wrote:

Thank you. So it means someone is trying to hack into my phone?😳

NO, it doesn't mean someone is trying to hack into your phone. Hacking an iPhone is EXTREMELY difficult and outrageously expensive. The only people who are worth the MAJOR investment are extremely important people on the world stage. Are you an elected official to a high office? Head of State? Wanted on the FBI top 10 list? If no, no one is trying to hack you. The next time you see this, swipe down from the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center and you'll be able to see what may be using your microphone.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 9, 2025 6:44 AM in response to anskunen

anskunen wrote:

Thank you. So it means someone is trying to hack into my phone?😳

NO, it doesn't mean someone is trying to hack into your phone. Hacking an iPhone is EXTREMELY difficult and outrageously expensive. The only people who are worth the MAJOR investment are extremely important people on the world stage. Are you an elected official to a high office? Head of State? Wanted on the FBI top 10 list? If no, no one is trying to hack you. The next time you see this, swipe down from the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center and you'll be able to see what may be using your microphone.

Sep 9, 2025 6:24 AM in response to anskunen

It is more likely you have an app running that has access to your mic for its actions, doesn't always mean the camera is in active usage right then taking your photo, maybe one is running in the background.


if you check next time you see the icon appear what you are doing, even Safari connects to your camera for certain functions.


if you are worried you can check access privileges for your camera via:


Settings - Privacy and Security

scroll down to Camera and select it to view which Apps have access rights.


if you don't like one App access just move the check box to Off.

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Orange mic and fading clock time in iPhone's left upper corner

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