That green dot in the upper right corner of your Android screen isn’t a glitch, and it’s nothing to worry about—in fact, it’s there to protect your privacy.
Introduced in Android 12, that glowing indicator is a built-in security feature designed to let you know when an app is actively using your phone’s camera or microphone.
What the Indicator Colors Mean
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Green Dot: An app is currently using your camera.
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Orange/Amber Dot: An app is currently using your microphone.
How to Check Which App Is Using It
If you see the dot and want to know which app is accessing your hardware, you don’t have to guess:
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Simply swipe down from the top of your screen to open your Quick Settings / Notification shade.
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At the very top left, you will see a small green or orange icon (like a camera or microphone symbol).
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Tap that icon, and a pop-up window will instantly tell you exactly which app is using your camera or microphone right now.
If you notice an app using your camera or microphone when you aren’t actively using it, you can immediately revoke its permissions in your phone’s settings under Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions.
