To check which apps can use your iPhone’s camera, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. You’ll see every app that has asked for camera access, with a switch next to each one. Turn a switch off to block that app from the camera, or on to allow it. Apps that have never asked for the camera don’t appear in the list.
This works the same on iOS 17, iOS 18 and later. Below is how to change camera access for a single app, see when apps actually used the camera, control websites in Safari, and lock the camera down completely with Screen Time.
See and change camera access for all apps
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Camera.
- Turn the switch off for any app you don’t want using the camera.
If you turn off camera access for an app and later try to use a camera feature in it, the app will either show a black screen or ask you to turn access back on in Settings.
Change camera access for one app
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps (on iOS 18 and later), then find and tap the app. On iOS 17, scroll down the main Settings list to find the app.
- Turn Camera on or off.
This screen also shows the app’s other permissions, such as Photos, Microphone and Location, so it’s a good place to review everything an app can access.
Know when an app is using your camera
Your iPhone shows a green dot in the top-right corner of the screen whenever an app is using the camera. An orange dot means only the microphone is in use. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, and the name of the app that’s using, or recently used, the camera appears at the top.
Check camera history with the App Privacy Report
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap App Privacy Report.
- Tap Turn On App Privacy Report if it’s off. It starts collecting data from then on.
- Later, open the report to see which apps accessed the camera, microphone, location and other data, and when.
The report covers the last seven days, which makes it useful for spotting an app that’s using the camera when you don’t expect it.
Control camera access for websites in Safari
- Go to Settings > Apps > Safari (or Settings > Safari on iOS 17).
- Scroll to Settings for Websites and tap Camera.
- Choose Ask, Deny or Allow.
To change it for one site, tap the aA or page settings button in Safari’s address bar while on that site, then tap Website Settings.
Turn off the camera completely with Screen Time
Parents can hide the Camera app and block camera access for all apps on a child’s iPhone.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
- Tap Allowed Apps & Features.
- Turn off Camera.
The Camera app disappears from the Home Screen, and other apps can’t use the camera until you turn it back on.
Review camera access with Safety Check
If you’re worried someone set up an app to watch you, Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check lets you review and reset app permissions, including camera access, in one place.
Camera permission settings at a glance
| To do this | Go to |
|---|---|
| See all apps with camera access | Privacy & Security > Camera |
| Change one app’s access | Settings > Apps > app name |
| See when apps used the camera | Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report |
| Control websites | Safari > Settings for Websites > Camera |
| Block the camera entirely | Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions |
| Reset all app permissions | Privacy & Security > Safety Check |
Related: manage contact permissions on an iPhone.
Related: why the camera icon is gray in Messages.
Related: fix the FaceTime camera turning off.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn’t an app listed under Camera?
Apps only appear after they ask for camera access for the first time. If an app should be there, open it and use a camera feature to trigger the request.
Why does an app say it needs camera access when I’ve turned it on?
Screen Time restrictions or a work profile may be blocking the camera. Check Content & Privacy Restrictions, and restart the iPhone.
Can an app use my camera without me knowing?
iOS shows the green dot whenever the camera is active, and the App Privacy Report logs camera access, so you can always check.
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.