If you have ever noticed a small green dot appear in the status bar of your Android device, right beside the battery icon, you are not seeing things. This is a tiny indicator that you can see and then disappear randomly, leaving many users wondering what it means. While it might feel a bit alarming at first, the green dot is a security and privacy feature integrated within Android.
Just like on an iPhone, the green dot can also be used as a Privacy Indicator and shows a notification when an app is accessing your camera or microphone in the background. In most cases, it is completely harmless, as your hardware has been used by your trusted app for its intended purpose. However, when it suddenly becomes visible, then it is a red flag as well that may indicate spyware or malicious apps running on your device.
Why does the green dot appear on Android?
The green dot was a feature introduced in Android 12 as part of Google’s continuing effort to enhance user control over their digital privacy. Whenever an app uses your camera, microphone, or other sensitive hardware features, the dot will appear in your status bar.
Even on some Android phones, such as Samsung Galaxy devices, you can tap the dot that appears in the notification shade to reveal which app has caused it. That way, if you see that indicator when you are not actively recording or using your camera, you can immediately track down the culprit.
While this feature might sound invasive, it allows you to protect yourself against apps secretly listening to or watching you without your knowledge.
Should you worry about the green dot?
Most of the time, no. When you are on a video calling app, recording a voice message, or taking photos, the green dot will appear as expected. But if you notice it while sitting idle on your Home screen, that’s when you should be cautious.
It could mean that an app is in the background without your permission. In such cases, you might want to turn to your app permissions or at least scan your phone for spyware. Like checking an unknown incoming call or clearing your phone data cache periodically, monitoring a green dot is another tool in your digital security toolbox.
Can you turn off the green dot on Android?
Unfortunately, you can not permanently hide the green dot, and there is a reason. It’s meant to be secure, so Android ensures it stays active. That said, you can reduce how often it appears by changing app permissions:
How to change app permissions to stop the green dot
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Go to Apps > See all apps.
- Select the app you want to manage.
- Tap Permissions.
- Toggle off Camera, Microphone, or Location access.
By doing this, the app does not trigger the green dot, but it also limits its functionality. For example, disabling camera access to TikTok will not allow you to record or upload videos.
