iPhone users have been 'warned' over a little orange dot at the top of their screen.
TikToker @mrjamienyland has freaked out his followers by sharing a video warning to 'get help' if they see an orange dot on their iPhone.
Although the warning might sound a little dramatic, it's definitely worth exploring, or debunking, especially if you're thinking of picking up the new iPhone 15.
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Apple will, of course, confirm all of its changes to the iPhone in a flashy, impressive presentation next month, as early rumours about the device suggest an expectation of slightly thinner bezels and rounder edges, perhaps more akin to the original iPhones.
Also, a common feature which is expected to continue in the next version of iOS is the orange dot.
“If you see this orange dot on your phone, you need to get help seriously fast,” @mrjamienyland wrote alongside his vid.
He then explained: “If you see an orange dot like this on top of your iPhone, this means someone is listening to you.
“It’s been all over the news, and in fact the orange dot is a warning sign from Apple that someone is using your microphone without your permission.
“If you have no apps open and this is still there, then someone is spying on your phone and listening to your conversations.
“So if you see this orange dot, turn your phone off immediately and go and get help.”
One person replied: “I'm getting pretty scared now,” while a second added: “I’m so scared” and a third wrote: “WHAAAATTTT!?!?”
However, many of his followers - rightly so - pointed out that the dot doesn’t necessarily mean someone is listening in, it just indicates one of the phone’s apps is using the mic.
“Just means your mic is live, not that someone is listening in,” replied one TikToker.
Another added: “It just means the microphone is in use," while a third said: “It doesn’t mean someone’s listening to you, it means there’s an app using your microphone or was using it recently.”
The naysayers’ claims seem to be backed up by Apple, which has a segment of its website dedicated to explaining why iPhone users might see an orange dot on their screen occasionally.
The tech giant explained: “An orange indicator means the microphone is being used by an app on your iPhone.”
You might have noticed a little green dot popping up on the top right hand corner of your screen, too.
Apple notes the green dot ‘means either the camera or the camera and the microphone are being used by an app on your iPhone’.
Topics: Apple, Technology, Phones
Anish Vij