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Are Your Apps Listening in on You?

By iPad Pete 21 Comments

If you had to sum up the major theme of the recent iOS 14 update in a single word, “Privacy” would undoubtedly be it.

There is a wide range of different new features that are designed to limit tracking online, for example, as well as ones that significantly restrict what types of data apps can collect and share while you use your iPhone.

Likewise, there is a new feature intended to make sure that no apps are listening in on your conversations using your iPhone’s built-in microphone.

It would be a good idea to go through the procedure below every once in awhile. Check to make sure there aren’t any apps sharing your microphone that you don’t really need microphone sharing.

Here’s how to check your App’s microphone access…

1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll through the list and select the option labeled “Privacy.”

3. Find and tap on the option labeled “Microphone.”

4. Go through the list and disable microphone access for any app you don’t want using the switch on the right side of the screen.

That’s it! If the switch is green, that app has microphone access. If it is grayed out, it means that the app in question won’t be able to use your microphone for any reason.

Related Posts:

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  2. Is Facebook Really Listening? New Privacy Changes. Facebook is about to make some big changes to user profiles. Starting December 1st, the fields for religious views, political views, addresses, and “Interested in” will be removed from user...
  3. Live Activities Come to 3rd-Party Apps With the latest iOS update, Apple will now allow third-party apps to take advantage of the new Live Activities and Dynamic Island features. What are Live Activities? Live Activities are...
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Filed Under: Features, Useful Tech Tips

Comments

  1. Wee Willie says

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    Excellent tip!

    Reply
  2. Frances Cook says

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    Thanks for all the great lessons on using iPhone and iPad. You have taught and helped me so much.

    Reply
  3. katherine danforth says

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    I’m in my 80s. And don’t understand a lot of technology. But why would an app want my microphone. I like to use the microphone to talk to Google to hunt for things and to dictate this comment.But I don’t understand why they would need my microphone. Can you explain please. Thanks

    Reply
    • J.R. says

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      If you had the app Shazam, it would need access to the microphone to listen to and identify music. It would only be listening while you are trying to identify a piece of music. Otherwise, it’s just not interested.
      Voice input would also be a good thing for any map apps that you have.That would make them hands-free and safer to use.
      I also let my calendar app and my notes and reminder apps use my microphone for ease of use.
      I’m also skeptical of letting a lot of apps use the microphone if I can’t see an immediate and practical benefit from it.

      Reply
  4. Ruth says

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    WOW! Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Dorothy says

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    Thank you for keeping us updated. Your service is remarkable

    Reply
  6. Nancy Weisser Jennings says

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    Wow thank you

    Reply
  7. Donna says

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    So good to know!! Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Marty says

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    How do you add date stamp to iPhone camera

    Reply
  9. Fran Wurm says

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    What benefit is there to me in having the Mike. On or off? Please explain. Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Dale says

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    Good to know and take action on. Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Maxine J Hood says

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    What would benefit me if I have my microphone on for a particular app? Maybe give an example. Thank you.

    Reply
  12. Sandy says

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    Will I still be able to use Siri? And speak instead of type messages?

    Reply
  13. Marty says

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    What are some examples of why I might want an app to “listen in?” Or, what are some reasons why I would want an app to “listen in?”

    Reply
  14. Shirley says

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    Thank you.

    Reply
  15. Shirley says

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    Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Donna Schneider says

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    Thank you! I love seeing your tips and lessons everyday!

    Reply
  17. Nancy Salome says

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    Thank you. I’m 77 years old and not as tech savy as I would like to be. You are a wonderful help.

    Reply
  18. Janie says

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    Wow I had 6 on that I didn’t know about! Thank you for all the knowledgeable things I had no clue about!!

    Reply
  19. Wayne Jarosh says

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    I’ve noticed that after my wife and I have conversation about a particular subject, we got ads on our phone for that subject. Is that a coincidence?

    Reply
  20. Pat says

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    I’m so glad I signed up for your emails! Thank you so much for all the excellent information that you provide!

    Reply

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