How can I see what is using my microphone?
With the rise in popularity of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, our devices are constantly listening and processing commands through the microphone. While this hands-free convenience is useful, it also raises privacy concerns over who might be accessing your microphone without consent and recording private conversations.
Several studies, like one from Fordham University, have shown that IoT devices are constantly recording environmental audio even when not activated [1]. Malicious apps could potentially listen in without permission. It’s important to monitor what apps have access to the microphone to make sure they aren’t misusing permissions.
This guide will walk through how to view microphone access on different devices and provide tips to use microphone features safely while maintaining privacy.
Check Microphone Permissions
You can view which apps have permission to access your microphone on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices by checking your microphone permissions in your device’s settings.
On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and you’ll see a list of apps that have requested microphone access [1]. Toggle permissions on or off for each app.
On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Microphone. Again, you’ll see apps and their permission status [2].
On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone to see and manage app permissions.
On Android, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone. Tap an app to change its permissions.
So checking your microphone permissions in your device’s settings is the easiest way to see what apps have access to your microphone across operating systems.
Task Manager (Windows)
Windows users can open Task Manager to view which applications are accessing the microphone. Here is how to do it:
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab in Task Manager.
- Click on the CPU column header to sort the processes from highest to lowest CPU usage.
- Look through the list of processes to identify any that are using the microphone. These may have names like “Skype.exe” or “Zoom.exe.”
- You can also click on a process and go to the Details tab to see if the microphone is listed under “Permissions.”
This allows Windows users to easily identify which applications have accessed the microphone recently. If any unknown or suspicious programs show up here, it could be malware and you may want to investigate further. However, well-known apps like Skype using the microphone is normal.
Overall, checking Task Manager is a quick way to audit microphone usage on Windows. Just open it up and look for applications that show higher CPU usage or have microphone permissions.
Activity Monitor (Mac)
On Mac computers, you can use the built-in Activity Monitor application to see which apps are accessing your microphone. Activity Monitor provides detailed information about resource usage and active processes on your Mac [1].
To open Activity Monitor, use Spotlight or go to Applications > Utilities. In the Activity Monitor window, click on the CPU tab. This will show a list of active processes. Look for any process that is using the microphone, which will show a small microphone icon next to it.
Apps that are currently accessing the mic such as Zoom or FaceTime will have this icon. If you see a process using the mic that you don’t recognize, you can google the process name to identify it. Or you can quit the process by selecting it and clicking the “X” stop button at the top left.
Activity Monitor on Mac gives you an easy way to monitor microphone usage in real-time and identify any unauthorized apps that may be listening in.
Control Center (iOS)
On iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, you can view and control microphone access through the Control Center. To open Control Center on an iPhone X or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. On iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. In Control Center, look for the microphone icon.
If the mic icon is orange or white, that means an app is actively using your microphone. Tap the icon to see which app is accessing the mic and toggle it off if desired. If the icon is gray, then no apps are currently using the microphone [1].
You can also tap into Mic Mode in Control Center to toggle between Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum modes for calls and recordings. Voice Isolation focuses on your voice by filtering out ambient noise. Wide Spectrum captures all nearby audio [2].
App Permissions (Android)
On Android devices, you can check and manage which apps have permission to access your microphone through the Settings app. Here are the steps:
Open the Settings app and tap Apps. Then tap See all apps to view a list of all apps installed on your device. Tap the app you want to check permissions for, then tap Permissions. Here you will see a list of all permissions the app has access to, including the microphone if applicable.
To revoke microphone access, simply turn off the Microphone permission toggle for that app. You can toggle permissions on and off anytime. Android also prompts you to grant initial microphone permission when installing new apps.
As noted in the Android developer documentation, the microphone permission grants access to sensitive user information and should be handled with care by app developers (1).
Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party apps available that can help monitor microphone usage across devices and operating systems. Some popular options include:
Playback Mic (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.timetools.playbackmic&hl=en_US&gl=US) – This Android app allows you to route your microphone input directly back to your headset, so you can hear yourself speak in real-time. Useful for vocal training, pronunciation practice, and testing audio equipment.
Voicemeeter (https://www.vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/index.htm) – A free app for Windows that provides advanced audio mixing and monitoring capabilities. You can control input and output levels, add audio effects, and route audio between devices.
Rogean Mic Monitor (https://www.reddit.com/r/PhasmophobiaGame/comments/pir05m/anyone_have_good_3rd_party_software_to_control/) – A lightweight Windows app popular with gamers for monitoring their microphone input through their headphones in real-time. Useful for games where mic communication is important.
Overall, third-party apps provide more robust microphone monitoring and control compared to built-in OS tools. They allow routing audio between apps and devices, applying effects, and gaining greater insight into mic usage across your computer or mobile devices.
Physical Indicators
Many microphones, especially professional models used for broadcasting, have LED lights that visually indicate when the microphone is active or “hot”. These lights act as a physical cue that the microphone is turned on and transmitting audio.
For example, Poly makes IP microphones and conference phones with LED indicators. According to Poly’s website, “LED Status Indicators for IP Microphones”, the LED will turn solid red when the mic is actively picking up audio.
There are also third party accessories like the Mic-LiteTM On-Air LED Light that can attach to professional mics and light up when audio is detected. These provide a visual cue that the microphone is live without having to look at software indicators on a computer screen.
So in summary, look for LED indicator lights directly on microphones or from third party accessories to determine if a microphone is actively listening and transmitting audio at any given moment. The light serves as a physical cue that the mic is hot.
Safe Usage Tips
When it comes to microphone privacy and security, there are some best practices you can follow:
- Be selective about which apps you grant microphone access to. Only enable it for apps that need to use your microphone for core functionality.
- Check your app permissions periodically to see if any new apps have been granted access without your knowledge. On iOS, this can be done through Settings > Privacy > Microphone. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone
- Keep your operating system and security software up-to-date to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Consider using a physical microphone blocker or mute switch when you want to guarantee the mic is off.
- Be wary of apps requesting broad or unnecessary permissions. For example, a calculator app shouldn’t need microphone access.
- Check if your computer has a hardware mic mute switch or keyboard shortcut to quickly disable the microphone.
- Use antivirus software to scan for spyware that may be secretly recording you.
Following basic microphone hygiene and limiting app permissions can go a long way in keeping your microphone usage private and secure.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few main ways to identify what applications or processes are accessing your microphone on desktop and mobile devices.
On Windows, check the Task Manager’s Processes tab or Performance tab to see live microphone activity. On Mac, use the Activity Monitor’s CPU tab. On iOS, check privacy settings in Settings or Control Center. And on Android, view app permissions in Settings.
Third party apps like MicMute on Windows can also show microphone activity. Physical mute/unmute buttons and indicators can also reveal when the mic is on.
To maintain privacy and security, only enable the microphone for apps you fully trust, and disable it otherwise. Watch for suspicious activity even in trusted apps. Keep devices updated and use antivirus software. Adjust app permissions as needed and toggle the mic off when not required.
With proper awareness and precautions, you can comfortably manage microphone access across your devices.