On an Android phone, a green dot usually appears at the top of the screen (in the status bar), often near the battery or network icons.
Here’s what it means:
Green Dot = Camera or Microphone in Use
- Introduced in Android 12 and later as a privacy indicator
- Green dot: The camera is currently being used by an app
- Orange/Amber dot: The microphone is currently being used
Why It Shows Up
- Helps you know when apps are accessing sensitive features
- Example:
- Green dot shows when using Zoom, Instagram, or camera apps
- Orange dot shows when using voice recording or voice assistant apps
How to Check
- Swipe down from the top to open the Quick Settings / Notification panel
- Tap the green dot icon or look for a notification like “Camera is in use”
- You can see which app is using the camera or microphone
Tips
- If the green dot appears unexpectedly:
- Check recent apps for camera usage
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Camera to see app permissions
- You can disable camera/mic access for apps that don’t need it
It’s a security feature to prevent apps from spying without your knowledge.
If you want, I can explain how to stop apps from using your camera or mic in the background on Android 🔒
Do you want me to do that?
