iOS 14 update displays an orange dot to warn if someone is listening in 

iOS 14 update displays an orange dot at the top of your iPhone screen whenever the microphone or camera is activated to warn you if someone is spying or listening in

  • Dot pops up above signal bar as a warning that apps are watching and listening
  • iOS 14 users can also seen if an app has used the microphone or camera recently
  • Apple is focused on strengthening iPhone user privacy with the new OS update 

Apple is displaying a small orange dot in the corner of an iPhone’s display to let iPhone users know their microphone or camera is activated, as part of its new iOS 14 software update. 

The new version of Apple’s operating system, released this week, acts as a prompt for users that at least one of their apps is currently listening or watching in. 

The small but noticeable dot appears at the top right of the iPhone display, just above the signal bars. 

This is not much to worry about when users are enjoying a video call over apps like Zoom and Facebook Messenger, which need camera and audio to work.

However, the dot will be a crucial indicator that other apps are listening in when they shouldn’t be. 

The orange dot, circled in red by MailOnline, appears at the top of your screen whenever an app is using your microphone or camera

The helpful dot is part of Apple’s increasing focus on privacy as part of the new iOS.  

‘Privacy is a fundamental human right and at the core of everything we do, Apple says on its website

‘That’s why with iOS 14, we’re giving you more control over the data you share and more transparency into how it’s used. 

‘An indicator appears at the top of your screen whenever an app is using your microphone or camera.’

iPhone users can also go to their phone’s Control Center to seen if an app has used the microphone or camera recently. 

Users can deny apps access to their camera and microphone if they’re constant offenders – or delete the apps altogether. 

For iPadOS 14 – the new operating system for Apple tablets – the tiny dot is orange when the microphone is in use and green when the camera is in use. 

After months of anticipation, Apple released its new iOS 14 Wednesday, September 16 - although there was no sign of the new iPhone 12 as expected

After months of anticipation, Apple released its new iOS 14 Wednesday, September 16 – although there was no sign of the new iPhone 12 as expected

Another privacy-focused update that comes with iOS 14 is the ability to share only an approximate location with apps, rather than an exact location.

This suits iPhone users who are wary about revealing to certain apps exactly where they live, for example.

To enable this feature, iOS 14 users need to go to Settings, Privacy and Location Services and then select the app from the list. 

Toggling on Precise Location to green will let the app know exactly where the user is, while turning it off will let apps only determine an approximate location. 

iOS 14 was released on Wednesday, following Apple’s ‘Time Flies’ event, which also unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 6, iPad Air and the 8th Generation iPad.

The software is available on iPhone 6s and above, giving users access to a redesigned home screen, widget gallery and a new Siri interface. 

iOS 14 is letting also let users set their own default apps for web browsing and email for the first time ever, as opposed to forcing users to stick with its own native apps, Safari and Apple Mail.

This means that users who prefer using Google Chrome, for example, won’t have to go out of their way to use the browser. 

Many Apple fans were disappointed that the company did not reveal the upcoming iPhone 12 this week as expected.  

The company has already confirmed that new iPhone won’t be available until next month, fuelling speculation it will hold another announcement event in a few weeks. 

iPHONE 12 RUMOURS 

Respected leaker Jon Prosser revealed schematics of a drastically reduced camera 'notch' on the front, expected for the iPhone 12

Respected leaker Jon Prosser revealed schematics of a drastically reduced camera ‘notch’ on the front, expected for the iPhone 12

A pair of leaked schematics suggest that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 12 will fall just short of eliminating a camera ‘notch’ on the phone’s display.

The pictures, posted on Twitter by frequent phone leaker Jon Prosser, show what appear to be official Apple schematics for its next flagship iPhone – specifically a drastically reduced ‘notch’ that stores the device’s front-facing camera components.

According to the schematics the microphone will be moved to the top of the device’s display in order to compress the size of the camera notch.

Citing ‘people familiar with the plans,’ the report notes that Apple is set to release four new smartphones this year, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The devices will come in three different sizes – one will be 5.4 inches, two at 6.1 inches and another model is 6.7 inches, according to the WSJ. 

Some, if not all, of the new handsets will support 5G. 

Apple’s iPhone 12 could also be completely wireless, meaning users will not receive a free pair of earbuds and be forced to purchase the firm’s $159 AirPods.

The news was revealed by well-known Apple product predictor Ming-Chi Kuo, who believes the tech giant may offer promotions or discounts on the AirPods this holiday season.

Kuo also noted that Apple is not expected to release new models of AirPods or AirPods Pro until 2021, 9to5Mac reports.