If an app is using your camera when it shouldn't, you can find out which one and shut it off in a few minutes. Both iPhone and Android show which apps have camera permission, and recent versions of each also show when the camera is in use. Start by identifying the app, then revoke its access. If it keeps coming back or you can't find the cause, the later sections cover removal and stronger measures. For a related guide, see App Asking for Unnecessary Permissions? How to Review and Revoke Access.
First, check whether it's actually misuse
A camera indicator doesn't automatically mean spying. Video calls, QR scanners, document scanners, social apps with a camera button, and even some keyboards with built-in photo features all use the camera legitimately. What matters is whether the app is open and in use when the indicator appears.
- iPhone (iOS 14 or later): a green dot at the top of the screen means the camera is in use. An orange dot means the microphone is. Open Control Center to see the name of the app that most recently used them.
- Android 12 or later: a green camera icon appears in the top-right corner while the camera is active. Swiping down shows which app is using it.
- Older Android or iOS versions: you won't get these indicators, so the permission lists below are your main tool. Updating your system is worthwhile if your device supports it.
Treat it as suspicious if the indicator appears while the phone is idle or locked, or while you're using an app that has no reason to need a camera, such as a calculator, wallpaper app, or flashlight.
Revoke camera access on iPhone
- Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security, then Camera.
- You'll see every app that has requested camera access. Switch off the toggle for any app that doesn't need it.
- To see what actually happened, go back to Privacy & Security and open App Privacy Report (iOS 15.2 or later). If it's off, tap Turn On App Privacy Report. It only records activity from that point forward, so check back in a day or two. It then lists which apps accessed your camera, microphone, and location over the past seven days.
- For websites, open Settings, then Apps, then Safari on iOS 18 or later (on iOS 17 and earlier, go to Settings then Safari), and review the camera setting. Set it to Ask or Deny.
A revoked app isn't broken. It simply asks again the next time it needs the camera, which is a good way to test whether it really needs it.
Revoke camera access on Android
Menu names differ between Google Pixel, Samsung, and other brands, but the logic is the same.
- Open Settings and go to the privacy section (usually Privacy or Security and privacy), then find Permission manager. On some phones it sits under an additional "Privacy controls" menu.
- Tap Camera. Apps are grouped by what they're allowed to do.
- Tap an app and choose Don't allow. For apps you do use, Allow only while using the app or Ask every time is a safer choice than unrestricted access.
If you can't find Permission manager, use the universal route: Settings, then Apps, tap the app, then Permissions, then Camera.
On Android 12 and later, Privacy dashboard (in the same privacy menu) shows which apps recently accessed the camera and when. The history window depends on your Android version and phone maker. Android 12 and later may also offer a Camera access switch in Quick Settings. If it isn't visible, tap the edit (pencil) icon in Quick Settings to see whether your phone lets you add it. It blocks camera use by all apps until you turn it back on, which makes it a handy emergency option.
For websites in Chrome, open Chrome, then Settings, then Site settings, then Camera, and remove any site you don't recognize.
If one app looks suspicious, remove it
Revoking permission is usually enough for a legitimate app that asks for too much. If the app is unfamiliar, was installed from outside the official store, or you simply don't use it, uninstall it.
- iPhone: press and hold the app icon, tap Remove App, then Delete App.
- Android: go to Settings, then Apps, select the app, and tap Uninstall.
If the Android uninstall button is greyed out, the app may have device administrator rights. Check Settings and look for Device admin apps (often under Security or Security and privacy, then "More security settings"). Deactivate the app there, then uninstall it. Also review Accessibility settings for downloaded apps you don't recognize, since that is another privilege malicious apps are known to abuse.
Still seeing unexplained camera activity?
Work through these in order:
- Update the system. Install the latest iOS or Android update, along with updates for your apps.
- Scan on Android. Open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Play Protect, and run a scan. Review any apps it flags.
- Check iPhone profiles. Go to Settings, then General, then VPN & Device Management. If you see a configuration profile you didn't install and your employer or school didn't provide, you can remove it, but only if you're sure it isn't managed by a workplace.
- Change your passwords. If you installed something questionable, change your Apple or Google account password from a different, trusted device, and turn on two-step verification.
- Restart in Safe Mode (Android). This disables third-party apps temporarily. If the problem stops, a downloaded app is the cause. The method varies by phone, so check your manufacturer's support page.
When it may be stalkerware
If someone with physical access to your phone, such as a partner or ex, may have installed monitoring software, be careful. Removing it can alert them, which may be unsafe in some situations. Consider using a device they cannot access and contacting a support service first. The Coalition Against Stalkerware lists resources, and in the US the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help with safety planning. Apple's Safety Check feature (Settings, Privacy & Security, Safety Check) can reset sharing and access settings on iPhone.
Last resort: factory reset
A factory reset erases everything on the phone, so use it only after the steps above fail and you still have strong reason to suspect compromise. Back up your photos, contacts, and files first, but avoid restoring a full app backup right away, since that could bring back the problem app. Reinstall apps manually from the official store, and grant only the permissions each one needs. Follow Apple's or your phone maker's official reset instructions for your model.
How to confirm it's fixed
- Use the phone normally for a day or two and watch for the green indicator at unexpected times.
- Recheck the App Privacy Report (iPhone) or Privacy dashboard (Android) to confirm no unfamiliar app has accessed the camera.
- Open the apps you actually use for photos or video calls. They should either work or politely ask for permission again.
For most people, the fix is a short audit: remove camera access from apps that don't need it, delete anything unfamiliar, and keep your system updated. If the indicator keeps appearing after that, or you suspect someone installed monitoring software, stop troubleshooting alone and contact your phone maker's support or a trusted security resource.