Fact · Voice privacy and security
On an iPhone running iOS 14 or later, an orange indicator in the status bar means an app is using the microphone.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“An orange indicator means the microphone is being used by an app on your iPhone.”
About the orange and green indicators in your iPhone status bar, Apple Support, 2026, Orange and green indicators section.
Open the original- What it measures
- Apple describes the indicator for iOS 14 and later. It appears as an orange square when Differentiate Without Color is on.
- What it does not show
- The indicator shows that some app is using the microphone right now. It does not say which app, and it does not show use from earlier.