A warning has been issued to iPhone users about a seemingly innocuous orange dot appearing at the top of their screens. A TikToker, @mrjamienyland, sparked concern among his followers by sharing a video advising them to “get help” if they spot this orange dot on their iPhones. While the dramatic warning has garnered attention, it’s essential to delve into the matter, especially with the prospect of the upcoming iPhone 15 release.
Apple typically unveils its iPhone changes with a flashy presentation, and rumors about the new device suggest thinner bezels and rounder edges reminiscent of the original iPhones. Additionally, a feature that is expected to continue in the next version of iOS is the orange dot.
In his video, @mrjamienyland wrote, “If you see this orange dot on your phone, you need to get help seriously fast.” He elaborated by saying, “If you see an orange dot like this on top of your iPhone, this means someone is listening to you. It’s been all over the news, and in fact, the orange dot is a warning sign from Apple that someone is using your microphone without your permission.”
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He further cautioned, “If you have no apps open and this is still there, then someone is spying on your phone and listening to your conversations. So if you see this orange dot, turn your phone off immediately and go and get help.”
While some followers expressed fear and concern, many others pointed out that the orange dot doesn’t necessarily imply someone is eavesdropping. Rather, it indicates that one of the phone’s apps is actively using the microphone. A TikToker replied, “Just means your mic is live, not that someone is listening in.” Another clarified, “It just means the microphone is in use,” and a third explained, “It doesn’t mean someone’s listening to you, it means there’s an app using your microphone or was using it recently.”
These interpretations align with Apple’s explanation. The tech giant has dedicated a section on its website to clarify the meaning behind the orange dot. According to Apple, “An orange indicator means the microphone is being used by an app on your iPhone.” Similarly, users might also notice a green dot appearing on the top right corner of the screen, which indicates that either the camera or both the camera and microphone are being utilized by an app on the iPhone.
As technology continues to evolve, understanding the indicators and notifications on devices is crucial to navigating their functionalities and addressing potential privacy concerns effectively.
