Is it now possible to spy on other person's iPhone using microphone?
There is this app on the Appstore "Find My Kid" and "Chat with parents". They allow to the first app to start listening to microphone of the second app even without notification. Even when the app is in the background and the screen is off.
So I wonder: How does the app do this?
iphone ios microphone
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
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add a comment |
There is this app on the Appstore "Find My Kid" and "Chat with parents". They allow to the first app to start listening to microphone of the second app even without notification. Even when the app is in the background and the screen is off.
So I wonder: How does the app do this?
iphone ios microphone
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because asking how/why Apple does something is outside the scope of what can be asked as defined in the Help Center.
– Allan
2 days ago
add a comment |
There is this app on the Appstore "Find My Kid" and "Chat with parents". They allow to the first app to start listening to microphone of the second app even without notification. Even when the app is in the background and the screen is off.
So I wonder: How does the app do this?
iphone ios microphone
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
There is this app on the Appstore "Find My Kid" and "Chat with parents". They allow to the first app to start listening to microphone of the second app even without notification. Even when the app is in the background and the screen is off.
So I wonder: How does the app do this?
iphone ios microphone
iphone ios microphone
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
edited 2 days ago
nohillside♦
50.7k13109148
50.7k13109148
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
asked 2 days ago
RealNmae
1373
1373
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
RealNmae is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because asking how/why Apple does something is outside the scope of what can be asked as defined in the Help Center.
– Allan
2 days ago
add a comment |
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because asking how/why Apple does something is outside the scope of what can be asked as defined in the Help Center.
– Allan
2 days ago
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because asking how/why Apple does something is outside the scope of what can be asked as defined in the Help Center.
– Allan
2 days ago
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because asking how/why Apple does something is outside the scope of what can be asked as defined in the Help Center.
– Allan
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
I think the incorrect part of your question is the word 'spy'. No, it's not possible to spy or listen to an iPhone's microphone without a notification or without the users consent.
I'm not a developer of these apps but I am an iOS developer with a few apps in the App Store so I'm familiar with the iPhone's API's and App Store review process. Apple does not provide a way to secretly listen to another device
From reading their product page description, the 'listening' is done using a chat application or Messages. The app starts recording and then sends the recording to the parents via chat. It might work different in Android but for iOS that's what it looks like it's doing. The image below specifically calls out "Android/GPS watch".
There doesn't appear to be anything 'secret' or in violation of Apple's app guidelines in these apps. The wording on the app's App Store description is vague regarding how they do what they claim.
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
4
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
add a comment |
Despite not being an iOS native app developer a quick google shows that the combination of the microphone permission with the (static) background execution audio permission allows an app to record in the background. I assume this means Apple does ensure this permission isn't completely misgranted during the review process, but it's mixed with the permission to play audio in the background.
Just out of interest: In contrast since Android Pie (and Android Oreo to a lesser extent) Google will only return a silent stream whilst an app is in background mode.
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
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active
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active
oldest
votes
I think the incorrect part of your question is the word 'spy'. No, it's not possible to spy or listen to an iPhone's microphone without a notification or without the users consent.
I'm not a developer of these apps but I am an iOS developer with a few apps in the App Store so I'm familiar with the iPhone's API's and App Store review process. Apple does not provide a way to secretly listen to another device
From reading their product page description, the 'listening' is done using a chat application or Messages. The app starts recording and then sends the recording to the parents via chat. It might work different in Android but for iOS that's what it looks like it's doing. The image below specifically calls out "Android/GPS watch".
There doesn't appear to be anything 'secret' or in violation of Apple's app guidelines in these apps. The wording on the app's App Store description is vague regarding how they do what they claim.
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
4
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
add a comment |
I think the incorrect part of your question is the word 'spy'. No, it's not possible to spy or listen to an iPhone's microphone without a notification or without the users consent.
I'm not a developer of these apps but I am an iOS developer with a few apps in the App Store so I'm familiar with the iPhone's API's and App Store review process. Apple does not provide a way to secretly listen to another device
From reading their product page description, the 'listening' is done using a chat application or Messages. The app starts recording and then sends the recording to the parents via chat. It might work different in Android but for iOS that's what it looks like it's doing. The image below specifically calls out "Android/GPS watch".
There doesn't appear to be anything 'secret' or in violation of Apple's app guidelines in these apps. The wording on the app's App Store description is vague regarding how they do what they claim.
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
4
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
add a comment |
I think the incorrect part of your question is the word 'spy'. No, it's not possible to spy or listen to an iPhone's microphone without a notification or without the users consent.
I'm not a developer of these apps but I am an iOS developer with a few apps in the App Store so I'm familiar with the iPhone's API's and App Store review process. Apple does not provide a way to secretly listen to another device
From reading their product page description, the 'listening' is done using a chat application or Messages. The app starts recording and then sends the recording to the parents via chat. It might work different in Android but for iOS that's what it looks like it's doing. The image below specifically calls out "Android/GPS watch".
There doesn't appear to be anything 'secret' or in violation of Apple's app guidelines in these apps. The wording on the app's App Store description is vague regarding how they do what they claim.
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
I think the incorrect part of your question is the word 'spy'. No, it's not possible to spy or listen to an iPhone's microphone without a notification or without the users consent.
I'm not a developer of these apps but I am an iOS developer with a few apps in the App Store so I'm familiar with the iPhone's API's and App Store review process. Apple does not provide a way to secretly listen to another device
From reading their product page description, the 'listening' is done using a chat application or Messages. The app starts recording and then sends the recording to the parents via chat. It might work different in Android but for iOS that's what it looks like it's doing. The image below specifically calls out "Android/GPS watch".
There doesn't appear to be anything 'secret' or in violation of Apple's app guidelines in these apps. The wording on the app's App Store description is vague regarding how they do what they claim.
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
answered 2 days ago
fsb
14k62954
14k62954
4
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
add a comment |
4
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
4
4
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
I didn't say there was no consent. But consent can be faked. There is no notification or other interface sign, at least when the screen is off. The other party installs the "Chat with parents" and grants microphone permission. As soon as he did it, he can turn off the screen and has no idea if he is beeing listened to. Anyone with your device can install this app on your phone and spy on you. I tested it this morning. You should check facts before speaking with such confidence about something you read in the app description.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae “Anyone with your device” - Not necessarily. They would also need to be able to unlock your device. Physical security and restrictions imposed by the OS work together to secure your device. But if I can unlock your device, I could install my developer certificate on it and upload any old app I’ve created, whether it complies with Apple’s App Store guidelines or not.
– MTCoster
2 days ago
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
@RealNmae I can speak with confidence about it because I work with the Apple API's and have a very good idea what Apple allows an app to do. Apple does not permit "anyone" to listen to your device microphone. Both parties, the parent and the child, must install something, agree to allow the app to use the mic to record, and agree to use of GPS, It's not something anyone can install any more than they can install any other app if they have your device.
– fsb
yesterday
add a comment |
Despite not being an iOS native app developer a quick google shows that the combination of the microphone permission with the (static) background execution audio permission allows an app to record in the background. I assume this means Apple does ensure this permission isn't completely misgranted during the review process, but it's mixed with the permission to play audio in the background.
Just out of interest: In contrast since Android Pie (and Android Oreo to a lesser extent) Google will only return a silent stream whilst an app is in background mode.
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
add a comment |
Despite not being an iOS native app developer a quick google shows that the combination of the microphone permission with the (static) background execution audio permission allows an app to record in the background. I assume this means Apple does ensure this permission isn't completely misgranted during the review process, but it's mixed with the permission to play audio in the background.
Just out of interest: In contrast since Android Pie (and Android Oreo to a lesser extent) Google will only return a silent stream whilst an app is in background mode.
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
add a comment |
Despite not being an iOS native app developer a quick google shows that the combination of the microphone permission with the (static) background execution audio permission allows an app to record in the background. I assume this means Apple does ensure this permission isn't completely misgranted during the review process, but it's mixed with the permission to play audio in the background.
Just out of interest: In contrast since Android Pie (and Android Oreo to a lesser extent) Google will only return a silent stream whilst an app is in background mode.
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
Despite not being an iOS native app developer a quick google shows that the combination of the microphone permission with the (static) background execution audio permission allows an app to record in the background. I assume this means Apple does ensure this permission isn't completely misgranted during the review process, but it's mixed with the permission to play audio in the background.
Just out of interest: In contrast since Android Pie (and Android Oreo to a lesser extent) Google will only return a silent stream whilst an app is in background mode.
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
answered 2 days ago
David Mulder
30718
30718
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
add a comment |
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
Still it is unclear to me, how you could wake up the app to execute any code. Even with audio background mode, it would mean that iPhone never goes to sleep to receive notification to start the process of recording or sound alert.
– RealNmae
2 days ago
add a comment |
RealNmae is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
RealNmae is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
RealNmae is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
RealNmae is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because asking how/why Apple does something is outside the scope of what can be asked as defined in the Help Center.
– Allan
2 days ago