How to Check Which Apps Can Access Your Camera and Microphone

Your phone's camera and microphone are powerful tools. But they can also be used by apps without you realizing it. Some apps ask for camera or microphone access for good reasons — like a video calling app or a voice recorder. But other apps may request access even when they have no real need for it.

Checking your permissions regularly is one of the best things you can do to protect your privacy. This guide walks you through how to review and manage these settings on both iPhone and Android.

Why this matters

When you install an app, it may ask for permission to use your camera or microphone. You might tap "Allow" without thinking much about it. Over time, you may have dozens of apps with this access — including apps you rarely use or no longer trust.

An app with camera access can theoretically take photos or scan your surroundings. An app with microphone access could pick up your conversations. Most apps use these permissions for completely normal reasons. But it is still a good idea to check who has access and remove permissions from apps that do not need them.

On iPhone

Go to Settings, then scroll down and tap Privacy & Security. Tap Camera to see a list of all apps that have requested camera access. You will see a green toggle next to each app. You can tap the toggle to turn off camera access for any app. Then go back and tap Microphone to do the same for microphone permissions.

You can also check individual apps. In Settings, scroll down to the app name and tap it. You will see a list of everything it has permission to access, including the camera and microphone.

On Android

Open the Settings app and tap Privacy (on some phones it is labeled Permissions or Apps). Tap Permission Manager. Then tap Camera or Microphone. You will see a list of apps and whether they have permission set to "Allow," "Allow only while using the app," or "Deny."

To change a permission, tap the app name and choose a different setting. "Allow only while using the app" is a good middle-ground for apps that genuinely need the camera or microphone but should not have it running in the background.

A good habit to build

Set a reminder to check your camera and microphone permissions every few months. It only takes about five minutes and helps you stay in control of what your phone is sharing with outside apps.