Apple released their latest operating system last week, iOS 14, with a host of long awaited updates including Android-style widgets.

One important update is a security feature that can show if somebody is potentially spying on you.

If you have already updated and noticed a new orange dot appearing at the top of your screen you should take notice.

The new orange dot warning indicates that an app is using your microphone and recording, reports Mirror Online.

Meanwhile, a green dot will appear on your screen when an app has access to your camera.

Of course, many apps will need to have access to your camera or microphone such as Siri, Snapchat, Tik Tok and video chat apps.

But if the light is on and you are not deliberately using your microphone, it may mean an app is recording you without your express permission.

You can find out if this is the case by going to your control centre, where you can see which app is using the microphone.

The option will be there to choose to turn off microphone access for that particular app, or delete it entirely if you want to be extra cautious.

The green dot is almost exactly the same, except it indicates that the front or rear camera is being used.

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You'll see the green light when you are taking photos or videos, when speaking on FaceTime and when unlocking your phone with Face ID.

Just like with the orange dot, you can check what apps have access to your camera in the control centre and turn off, or delete, any apps if you detect anything suspicious.

Apple has included the light system so users can keep an eye on what all applications are up to in the background.

New Apple security feature with the iOS 14 update includes an orange dot which indicates an app is accessing your iphone microphone and recording
New Apple security feature with the iOS 14 update includes an orange dot which indicates an app is accessing your iphone microphone and recording

Apple explained: “An indicator appears at the top of your screen whenever an app is using your microphone or camera. And in Control Centre, you can see if an app has used them recently.”

If you notice the dot on your screen, you can swipe down from the corner of your iPhone to open the control centre, which will show which app was monitoring you.

This includes Apple apps such as Camera, as well as third-party apps like Instagram.

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Users also now have to give access to any app that wants to make use of the microphone or camera, with apps requesting permission when they’re installed.

To make of the new feature, you’ll need to update your system to iOS 14.

Simply open Settings > General > Software Update and you’ll be prompted to update your system if you haven’t already.

iOS 14 is available for:

iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X

iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus

iPhone SE (1st generation)

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

iPod touch (7th generation)