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iPad Pro M4 Has Unlisted Security Feature: Secure Indicator Light

By Laura Tucker
Ipad Pro M4 Secure Indicator Light Featured

I picked up the new iPad Pro M4 hours after it was announced last month because I was excited about all the new features. What wasn’t announced is that the iPad Pro M4 has a Secure Indicator Light built into the hardware as an extra security feature.

Secure Indicator Light on iPad Pro M4

The iPad Pro M4 Secure Indicator Light was first noted by app developer and security researcher Guilherme Rambo. He noted on social media that this is the first device to use these security indicators.

While previously there were iOS and iPadOS alerts to make you aware that an app is using your iPhone or iPad’s camera, the Secure Indicator Light is baked into the hardware. Instead of getting a notification, a colored dot appears in the upper-right corner of the display. It’s an orange dot if your mic has been accessed and a green dot if your camera has been accessed.

Ipad Pro M4 Secure Indicator Light Microphone Access

I tested this first with the Messages app. I turned on the microphone, and sure enough, there was a green security light next to the battery percentage. I then turned on FaceTime, and I immediately saw a bright green dot.

It’s unknown why Apple wouldn’t announce this security indicator light, as without that knowledge, I wouldn’t have known what the light was for. I’ve had the iPad Pro M4 for three weeks now. I hadn’t noticed the colored dots of the Secure Indicator Light. I’m not sure if I’ve used an app with mic or camera access in that time. But I’m happy to know what it is now. It will certainly come in handy.

Secure Indicator Light Can Stop Malicious Software Access

Malicious software, commonly known as malware, can potentially take control of your device’s camera or microphone by exploiting security vulnerabilities in the device’s software or operating system. This is usually the work of hackers, who specifically program the malware to search for and exploit these vulnerabilities.

Another common method of hijacking involves seemingly benign applications that request your permission to access the camera or microphone for legitimate purposes.

Ipad Pro M4 Secure Indicator Light Camera Access

For example, a photo editing app may request access to your camera to take pictures directly within the app, or a messaging app may ask for access to your microphone to send voice messages. However, once these permissions are granted, an app with malicious intent can misuse them to secretly record audio or video without your knowledge or consent.

This type of intrusion can lead to a significant breach of privacy, as hackers could potentially gain access to personal conversations, confidential information, or even visual access to your surroundings through the camera.

To prevent this sort of hijacking, it’s crucial to keep your device’s software and all installed apps up to date, as updates often include patches for known security vulnerabilities. Additionally, only download apps from trusted sources, and carefully review the permissions and app requests.

The iPad Pro’s Secure Indicator Light can serve as a helpful tool in these situations. This feature, as described above, allows you to be immediately aware if an app is using these features, potentially alerting you to any unauthorized access. Learn how to secure your iPad or iPhone’s data privacy, too.

Image credit: Apple. All screenshots by Laura Tucker.

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Laura Tucker
Laura has spent more than 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with the majority of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past 35 years. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.

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