If you’ve noticed a small green dot appearing in the upper right corner of your Android phone, you’re not alone. Many users wonder what it means. This feature, introduced on modern Android devices including Samsung phones, is designed to improve privacy transparency. The green dot appears whenever an app is actively using your phone’s camera, microphone, or both. Unlike iPhones, which use separate green and orange indicators, Android combines these alerts into a single green dot. Its purpose is simple: to let you know when sensitive hardware is in use. If you’re taking a photo, recording a video, or using voice messages, the dot is completely normal. However, if it appears when you’re not actively using those features, it’s worth checking which app is accessing them.

If you see the green dot and aren’t sure why, you can quickly investigate. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel. Tap the indicator to expand it, and you’ll see which app is currently using the camera or microphone. From there, you can decide whether the access makes sense. If you don’t recognize or trust the app, go to your phone’s Settings, open Privacy, then Permission Manager, and review camera and microphone permissions. You can disable access or uninstall the app entirely for added security. This small green dot is not a warning of danger — it’s a helpful privacy tool that keeps you informed and in control of how your device’s most sensitive features are being used.