People are only just realising what two coloured icons on iPhone mean

10 July 2023 , 16:17

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iPhone users should pay attention to the corner of their screens, where the icons appear (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

In the 16 years since the release of the iPhone, the ever-popular technology has come on leaps and bounds, and with each release, there are numerous new features to explore.

But not every iPhone user knows about all of the additions and their purposes. Two little-known icons are particularly easy to miss, despite their importance. If you're running iOS 14 or later, have you ever spotted coloured dots lurking in the corner of your phone?

Found in the status bar, there's both an orange and a green version, both of which indicate something entirely different. As Apple Support explains, the symbols alert phone users when the microphone and camera are in use.

Have you noticed the icons before? (stock photo) (Apple)

"An orange indicator means the microphone is being used by an app on your iPhone." Meanwhile: "A green indicator means either the camera or the camera and the microphone are being used by an app on your iPhone."

You might also see blue, green, red, or purple icons in the status bar - either behind the time if you're using an iPhone X and later, or across the entire bar if you're using an iPhone 8 or earlier. A blue icon appears when you're using Screen Mirroring or if an app is actively using your location.

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The colour will turn green when you're taking a phone call or using your phone as a Personal Hotspot. Red indicates that you're recording your screen or your sound, and purple signals that your phone is sharing content via SharePlay.

Talking of fancy features, iOS 17 is set to introduce another swathe of useful additions, including live voicemail and StandBy mode. The latter enables your gadget to display options like a clock, family photos, or a calendar, when you'd otherwise be looking at a blank screen. Unfortunately, not all iPhone users can make the most of the new benefits. Find out if your device is on the list here.

Amber O'Connor