How to Find Apps That Use the iPhone Camera & Microphone & Disable Access

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Some iPad and iPhone apps require mic and camera access to function properly, and some don't. Apple has introduced new app privacy settings with iOS 14, which allow users to customize access to personal data like photos and videos, app by app, choosing to allow full access, partial access, or no access at all. There's also a way to check microphone and camera access in your Settings app. This way, you can change camera and microphone settings for any app, all in the same place, so apps that don't need to listen to you or see you can't. Let's learn how to allow camera access on your iPhone and iPad or turn it off, and how to allow microphone access, or turn off access to your iPhone or iPad microphone.  

Related: iPhone Security: 14 Tips to Protect Your Phone from Any Hacker

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How to Check Which Apps Can Access Your iPad & iPhone Camera & Microphone & Turn Off Access

Apple allows iPad and iPhone users to see a list of every app that has camera and microphone access. Let's learn how to find those apps, and turn off microphone and camera access, app by app. For more ways to customize your settings and keep your iPad and iPhone secure and private, check out our free Tip of the Day newlsetter.  

How to Check Which Apps Have Microphone Access & Turn Off Microphone Access

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Privacy.

    iphone settings appiphone privacy settings
     
  3. Tap Microphone.
  4. Here you'll see a list of apps that have microphone access enabled; toggle off any apps that you don't want to allow mic access to.

    ipad and iphone microphone settingsipad and iphone microphone settings by app

How to Check Which Apps Have Camera Access & Turn Off Camera Access

To check which apps on your iPad and iPhone have camera access, open the Settings app again, and tap Privacy once more. Now:

  1. Tap Camera.
  2. Here you'll see a list of apps that have camera access enabled; toggle off any apps that you don't want to allow camera access to.

    ipad and iphone camera settingsipad and iphone camera settings by app

Now you know how to see which apps are using your tablet and phone microphone and camera, and how to disable the mic and camera, app by app.

Top image credit: Friends Stock / Shutterstock.com
 
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Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.