To turn off microphone access on an iPhone 7, open Settings > Privacy > Microphone and switch off each app you don’t want using your mic. The switch turns gray when access is off. You can also go to Settings, scroll down, tap the app’s name, and turn off Microphone there. On newer iOS versions, the path is Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
The iPhone 7 can update to iOS 15, so it has all of these privacy controls, including the orange dot that shows when an app is using the microphone. Here’s how to manage mic access, turn off Siri listening, and check which apps have used your mic.
How to turn off microphone access for all apps
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Microphone.
- Turn off the switch next to each app.
There’s no single switch to turn off the microphone for every app at once. Built-in features like the Phone app, FaceTime, and Voice Memos aren’t listed here because they’re part of iOS.
How to turn off microphone access for one app
- Open Settings and scroll down to the list of apps.
- Tap the app, such as Instagram or TikTok.
- Turn off Microphone.
If you don’t see a Microphone option, the app hasn’t asked for mic access.
What happens when you turn off mic access
- The app can’t record audio, send voice messages, or use voice or video calls with sound.
- Some apps show a message asking you to allow access when you try to use a voice feature.
- You can turn access back on anytime from the same screen. See how to allow microphone access for Facebook on iPhone for an example.
How to tell when an app is using your microphone
On iOS 14 and later, an orange dot appears near the top of the screen when an app is using the microphone. A green dot means the camera is in use. Swipe down to open Control Center to see which app used it most recently. Learn more in what the orange dot on your iPhone means.
How to stop Siri from listening
- Open Settings > Siri & Search.
- Turn off Listen for “Hey Siri”.
- Optional: turn off Press Home for Siri to stop Siri completely.
How to turn off dictation
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and turn off Enable Dictation. This removes the microphone key from the keyboard.
How to control microphone access for websites
In Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Microphone and choose Ask or Deny. Websites will need your permission before they can use the mic.
Microphone not working after changing settings?
- Make sure the app’s mic switch is on in Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
- Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Microphone. If it’s set to Don’t Allow Changes, you can’t change mic permissions.
- Remove your case and clean the microphone openings gently with a soft, dry brush.
- Restart your iPhone.
Camera restrictions can also gray out the camera in Messages; read how to fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Can apps listen to me without permission?
iOS apps must ask for permission before using the microphone, and the orange dot shows when it’s active. If you see the dot unexpectedly, check Control Center to see which app used it.
Can I turn off the microphone for phone calls?
You can’t disable it for calls, but you can tap Mute during a call.
Why isn’t an app listed under Microphone?
Apps only appear after they’ve requested access. If an app has never asked, it can’t use the mic.
Do these steps work on newer iPhones?
Yes. On iOS 16 and later, Privacy is called Privacy & Security. Everything else is the same.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.