Smartphone usage and privacy
Nowadays, we use smartphones not only for calls and messaging, but also for taking photos, making video calls, being active on social media, and for online meetings.
You may be surprised to know that on Android phones it is possible to find out which app is using your camera or microphone.
Use of privacy features
With the help of many privacy features present in your phone, you can keep an eye on the activities of the apps. When needed, you can turn off their permission. This helps you decide which apps to grant access to the camera and microphone.
Indication of camera or mic use
green indicator
In Android 12 and later, when an app uses the camera or microphone, a green indicator appears in the upper right corner of the screen. This indicates that the camera or mic is active.
If you see this indicator and want to know which app is using it, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the indicator. Here you'll find information about the app or service that is using the camera or microphone.
Turn off camera and microphone access
Use quick settings
Swipe down twice from the top of the phone screen.
Find the Camera or Microphone access option in Quick Settings.
Turn off access to the camera or mic by tapping on the corresponding tile.
If these options don't appear, try adding the corresponding tile by tapping Edit or Add.
Changing app permissions in Settings
How to do
If you want to prevent an app from using the camera or microphone, you can change its permissions in Settings. Open your phone's Settings and go to Apps. Select the app whose permissions need to be checked. Then tap on Permissions and check the Camera and Microphone options.
If the app doesn't require a camera or mic, you can set its permission to 'Don't Allow'.
Access to Privacy Dashboard
How to know which app was used when
Go to phone settings.
Go to Privacy or Security and Privacy section.
Open the Privacy Dashboard option.
Tap Camera or Microphone.
Here you can see which apps used them and when.
Remove unknown apps
If there is any app in your phone that you are not using, then definitely check its permission. When no longer needed, open Apps in Settings, select that app and tap Uninstall.
However, avoid deleting essential system apps of the phone without knowledge, as some system apps are essential for the proper operation of the device.