The short answer: on an iPhone, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone to see every app that has asked for the mic, and turn off any you don’t trust (Apple). On Android, open Settings > Security & privacy > Privacy > Permission manager > Microphone, tap an app and choose Don’t allow (Google). Menu names differ a little between phone makers and software versions. If you can’t find a menu, type microphone into the search bar at the top of Settings.
Most worries about a phone “listening” come from targeted ads, and those usually come from tracking your searches, websites, apps and location rather than from the microphone (FTC). That’s why this guide also covers wake words and ad tracking.
How to check microphone access on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Privacy & Security, then Microphone. You’ll see every app that has asked to use the mic.
- Turn the switch off for any app that doesn’t need it (Apple). You can turn it back on later if a feature you use stops working.
Apps that normally need the mic include the Phone app, FaceTime, video-calling apps you use (such as Zoom), voice recorders, and messaging apps if you send voice messages. Shopping apps, games and flashlight apps usually don’t need it.
The orange dot
An orange dot at the top of the screen means an app is using the microphone right now. A green dot means the camera is on, or the camera and mic together. Open Control Center to see which app used them recently (Apple). It’s normal to see the dot during a call, voice typing or a video recording.
How to check microphone access on Android
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Security & privacy, then Privacy, then Permission manager, then Microphone.
- Tap an app and choose Allow only while using the app, Ask every time or Don’t allow (Google).
You can also check one app at a time: Settings > Apps, tap the app, then tap Permissions (Google). Samsung and other phone makers may use slightly different names.
The green indicator and the master switch
On Android 12 and newer, a green indicator appears in the top-right corner when an app uses the mic or camera. Swipe down and tap it to see which app. To cut off the microphone for every app at once, turn off Microphone access in Quick Settings or in your privacy controls. Turn it back on before you make a call (Google). For a 24-hour history of which apps used the mic, open the Privacy dashboard (Google).
Turn off “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google” if you don’t use it
Voice assistants listen for their wake phrase. If you never use one, you can switch that off.
iPhone (Siri)
- Open Settings and tap Siri.
- Tap Requests, tap “Siri” or “Hey Siri”, then choose Off. Your iPhone stops listening for the wake phrase (Apple).
- You can still use Siri by pressing and holding the side button if “Press Side Button for Siri” is on. Placing your iPhone face down also stops it from responding to your voice (Apple).
Android (Gemini or Google Assistant)
- Open the Gemini app and tap your profile picture, then Settings.
- Tap Talk to Gemini hands-free and turn off “Hey Google” (Google).
- If your phone still uses Google Assistant, the setting is in the Assistant settings under Hey Google & Voice Match (Google).
Cut down the tracking behind “creepy” ads
- iPhone: go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. Apps then can’t use your advertising identifier to follow you across other companies’ apps and websites (Apple).
- Android: you can reset or delete your phone’s advertising ID (Google). Search Settings for Ads to find it.
- Both: check which apps can see your location, and turn it off for apps that don’t need it (FTC).
When to worry
Be concerned if the mic light keeps coming on while you aren’t using anything, or if an app you don’t recognize has microphone access. Delete that app, update your phone, and read 5 signs someone may be spying on your phone. For smart speakers, see Is Alexa always listening?
Video walk-throughs
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Android:
