Whereas casually scrolling on your iPhone, you’ll have seen totally different colours behind the clock within the prime left nook. These colours should not random, and you must know what they imply.
You would possibly see a blue, inexperienced, pink or purple shade as a bubble behind your clock on the prime left nook standing bar in case you personal an iPhone X or later, or throughout the complete standing bar if in case you have an iPhone 8 or earlier.
Understanding what these totally different colours imply can enhance how you employ your cellphone and improve your privateness and safety. Be taught extra about what these totally different colours behind the clock imply for iPhones (X or later) under.

4 colours of bubbles in higher left nook of an iPhone display screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What does it imply in case you see the blue bubble on the top-left of your iPhone?

A blue bubble within the top-left nook of an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
When a blue bubble seems within the top-left nook of your display screen — proper behind your time or clock — this implies an app is actively utilizing your iPhone’s location or you’re utilizing Display Mirroring.
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What does it imply in case you see the inexperienced bubble on the top-left of your iPhone?

The inexperienced bubble within the top-left nook of an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
When a inexperienced bubble seems within the top-left nook of your display screen — proper behind your time or clock — this implies you’re on a name or your iPhone is getting used as a private sizzling spot. In the event you’re not utilizing it and also you see the inexperienced bubble, one other gadget could also be linked to your sizzling spot and probably utilizing your knowledge with out your information.
Tips on how to forestall unauthorized use
To forestall unauthorized entry to your private sizzling spot, guarantee you’ve got a robust password arrange.
- Go to Settings
- Click on Private sizzling spot
- Faucet on Wi-Fi Password to create a safe password. It’s additionally a very good apply to commonly verify and alter this password.
Figuring out who’s utilizing your sizzling spot
You possibly can see what number of units are linked to your sizzling spot by opening the Management Middle. For iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right nook; for iPhones with a house button, swipe up from the underside. Press and maintain the wi-fi part to see the variety of linked units.
Kicking off unauthorized customers who’re utilizing your sizzling spot
In the event you discover an unknown gadget linked to your sizzling spot, you possibly can disconnect it by altering the recent spot password or turning off the non-public sizzling spot function.
- Go to Settings
- Click on Private sizzling spot
- Toggle off Permit Others to Be a part of.
- Then, flip it again on and share the new password solely with trusted units. Additionally, think about using a password supervisor to generate and retailer complicated passwords.
Bear in mind, monitoring your sizzling spot connections commonly is vital to make sure no unauthorized utilization, which might result in knowledge loss and potential safety dangers.
MORE: AVOID PUBLIC WIFI BY USING YOUR IPHONE AS A HOT SPOT
What does it imply in case you see the pink bubble on the top-left of your iPhone?

A pink bubble within the top-left nook of an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
When a pink bubble seems within the top-left nook of your display screen — proper behind your time or clock — this implies your iPhone’s recording sound or your display screen.
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What does it imply in case you see the purple bubble on the top-left of your iPhone?

A purple bubble within the top-left nook of an iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
When a purple bubble seems within the top-left nook of your display screen — proper behind your time or clock — this implies your iPhone is utilizing SharePlay, which can be utilized to share content material reminiscent of video games throughout iPhones.
Navigating apps, calls and sizzling spots with a faucet
Now that you realize what these totally different colours imply, you may be extra conscious in case your iPhone is doing one thing you don’t need it to do.
Curious to see precisely what app or iPhone perform is getting used with these totally different shade bubbles? In the event you faucet on the clock when there’s a shade behind it, it can take you to the app or the management settings for the perform that’s being utilized.
For instance, in case you faucet the clock when the bubble is inexperienced, and you’re on a name, it can return you to the principle window the place you possibly can see who you’re talking with.
In case your iPhone is getting used as a private sizzling spot, tapping the inexperienced bubble will ship you to the non-public sizzling spot part of settings, the place you possibly can see who’s utilizing it and switch it off in case you by no means supposed it for use as a sizzling spot within the first place.

An iPhone private sizzling spot getting used (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
That is the place figuring out what these shade bubbles are turns out to be useful. On one hand, you should use them to maneuver apps or settings in your iPhone simply. From the safety and privateness perspective, now you can be alerted when any apps or different individuals are using data or capabilities out of your iPhone you don’t need them to.
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Uncover and block undesirable entry to your iPhone’s digital camera and microphone
In the event you see that your iPhone’s microphone and/or digital camera are in use regardless that you don’t have an app opened, it seemingly implies that an app has permission to make use of these options in your cellphone even when it isn’t getting used or your cellphone could have been hacked. In our article, “Is your gadget spying on you?” you will see that step-by-step directions to see which apps have permission to entry your microphone or digital camera and the way to flip these options off.
In the event you’ve gone by your permission settings and your microphone and digital camera are being accessed with out your consent, there’s a probability that some malicious spyware and adware could also be utilizing your gadget to spy. In the event you’re undecided your cellphone has been compromised, you possibly can verify for these further indicators outlined in our article, “Tips on how to inform in case your cellphone has been hacked.”
To keep away from this, take into account including good antivirus software program to your cellphone to stop malware. Additionally, one of the best ways to guard your self from clicking malicious hyperlinks that set up malware that will get entry to your personal data is to have antivirus safety put in on all of your units. This will additionally warn you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for one of the best 2024 antivirus safety winners in your Home windows, Mac, Android & iOS units.
MORE: ‘IN CASE OF EMERGENCY’ IPHONE SHORTCUT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE
Kurt’s key takeaways
The colourful indicators in your iPhone function a visible information to what’s occurring behind the scenes. Whether or not it’s the blue bubble alerting you to location companies or display screen mirroring, the inexperienced bubble indicating an energetic name or sizzling spot utilization, the pink bubble warning of recording in progress or the purple bubble signifying SharePlay exercise, every shade performs an important function in enhancing your consciousness and management over your gadget’s capabilities.
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By understanding what these colours signify, you possibly can take proactive steps to guard your privateness, handle your connections and optimize your iPhone expertise. This delicate but highly effective function underscores the significance of being knowledgeable and vigilant concerning the digital footprints we go away. So, the subsequent time you discover a coloured bubble behind the clock, bear in mind it’s greater than only a design alternative — it’s a gateway to understanding and managing your iPhone’s various capabilities.
How do you suppose Apple might additional enhance the colour notification function to help iPhone customers in managing their units’ capabilities? Tell us by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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