Tech Expert Reveals The iPhone Setting That Can Prevent Your Microphone From Listening To You

How To Stop Unnecessary Apps & Your Device From 'Listening' To You

Over the years, there have been tech companies and major apps trying to defend themselves against rumors that they're 'listening' to you via your iPhone's microphone.

While that might be true in most cases, it's still nice to double-check who and what has access to something as valuable as your device's microphone. If you have an iPhone for the first time or have been using one for years, there's one part of your Settings app that you should never ignore, which is your Privacy & Security section. Within it, there are all sorts of options for keeping yourself and your data safe. There's also a section where you can take some more control over your microphone.

In 2025, tech expert Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson did a special for FOX to share how some concerned iPhone users can prevent apps or potential hackers from listening to them, or have their microphone turn off unnecessarily.

"Go to Settings, you're gonna scroll way on down to Privacy & Security, then scroll a bit more down, and you're gonna find microphone," he said. "Now green [toggles] means that they have access to your mic. If it's gray, no access."

This "easy" procedure can help you evaluate which apps absolutely need your microphone from time to time, and which ones don't. Taking a moment to look this over can ensure some extra safety and peace of mind.