scrolling casually your iPhone, you may have noticed different colors on the back of the watch in the upper left corner. These colors are not random, and you should know what they mean.
If you have an iPhone
Knowing what these different colors mean can improve the way you use your phone and make your phone look better. Privacy and Security, Learn more about what these different colors on the back of the watch mean for an iPhone (X or later) below.
Four colors of bubbles in the upper left corner of the iPhone screen (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
What does it mean if you see a blue bubble on the top left of your iPhone?
A blue bubble in the upper-left corner of the iPhone (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
When a blue bubble appears in the upper-left corner of your screen – right behind your time or clock – it means An app is actively using your iPhone Place or are you using screen mirroring,
Change this Apple Music setting as soon as possible to protect your privacy
What does it mean if you see a green bubble on the top left of your iPhone?
Green bubble in the upper-left corner of the iPhone (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
When a green bubble appears in the upper-left corner of your screen – right behind your time or clock – it means you’re on a call or your iPhone is being used as a personal hot spot. If you’re not using it and you see a green bubble, another device may be connected to your hot spot and potentially using your data without your knowledge.
How to prevent unauthorized use
To prevent unauthorized access to your personal hot spot, make sure you have a strong password set up.
- Go Adjustment
- Click personal hotspot
- tap on WIFI password To create a secure password. It is also a good practice to check and change this password regularly.
Identifying who is using your hot spot
You can open Control Center and see how many devices are connected to your hotspot. For iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner; For iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom. Press and hold the Wireless section to view the number of connected devices.
Blocking out unauthorized users using your hot spot
If you find an unknown device connected to your hot spot, you can disconnect it by changing the hot spot password or turning off the personal hot spot feature.
- Go Adjustment
- Click personal hotspot
- toggle Close Allow others to join.
- Then, turn it over on the back and share New Password Only with trusted devices. Also, consider using a password manager To create and store complex passwords.
Remember, it is important to regularly monitor your hot spot connection to ensure no unauthorized use occurs, which can lead to data loss and potential security risks.
MORE: Avoid public WiFi by using your iPhone as a hot spot
What does it mean if you see a red bubble on the top left of your iPhone?
A red bubble in the upper-left corner of the iPhone (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
When a red bubble appears in the upper-left corner of your screen – right behind your time or clock – it means your iPhone is recording. sound or your Screen,
MORE: New iPhone security threat that allows hackers to spy on your phone
What does it mean if you see a purple bubble in the upper left of your iPhone?
A purple bubble in the upper-left corner of the iPhone (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
When a purple bubble appears in the upper-left corner of your screen – right behind your time or clock – it means your iPhone is using shareplayWhich can be used to share content like games on iPhones.
Navigating apps, calls, and hot spots with a single tap
Now that you know what these different colors mean, you can be more aware if your iPhone is doing something you don’t want.
Curious to see exactly what app or iPhone function is being used with these different colored bubbles? If you tap on the watch when it has a color on the back, it will take you to the app or control settings for the function you are using.
For example, if you tap the clock when the bubble is green and you’re on a call, it will return you to the main window where you can see who you’re talking to.
If your iPhone is being used as a personal hot spot, tapping the green bubble will take you to the Personal Hot Spot section of Settings, where you can see who’s using it and if you’ve ever Turn it off if you don’t intend to use it. Hot spot in first place.
Using an iPhone Personal Hot Spot (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
This is where it comes in handy to know what those colored bubbles are. On the one hand, you can use them to easily operate apps or settings on your iPhone. From a security and privacy perspective, you can now be alerted when an app or other people are accessing information or functions from your iPhone that you don’t want.
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Expose and block unwanted access to your iPhone’s camera and microphone
If you see that your iPhone’s microphone and/or camera is in use even if you haven’t opened an app, it may mean that the app has permission to use those features on your phone, even if They may not be in use or your phone may have been hacked. In our article, “Is your device spying on you?” You’ll get step-by-step instructions for seeing which apps are allowed to access your microphone or camera and how to turn off those features.
If you have gone through your permission settings and your microphone and camera are being accessed without your consent, there are chances that some malicious spyware is using your device to spy. If you’re not sure if your phone has been compromised, you can check for these additional signs mentioned in our article, “How to tell if your phone has been hacked.”
To avoid this, consider adding good antivirus software to your phone to block malware. Furthermore, the best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that can gain access to your private information is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. It can also alert you to a phishing email or ransomware scam. Get my picks for the Best 2024 Antivirus Security winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices,
MORE: ‘In case of emergency’ iPhone shortcut could save your life
Kurt’s highlights
The colored indicators on your iPhone act as a visual guide to what’s happening behind the scenes. Whether it’s a blue bubble alerting you about location services or screen mirroring, a green bubble indicating active calls or hot spot usage, a red bubble warning of a recording in progress or a purple bubble indicating SharePlay activity, Each color plays an important role in increasing your awareness and control over your device’s functions.
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By understanding what these colors represent, you can take proactive steps to protect your privacy, manage your connections, and optimize your iPhone experience. This subtle but powerful feature underlines the importance of being informed and vigilant about the digital footprints we leave behind. So, the next time you see a colored bubble on the back of the watch, remember that it’s more than just a design choice — it’s the gateway to understanding and managing your iPhone’s diverse capabilities.
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