Just thought of this, if your worried about the camera the microphone is just as much of an issue.
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Ideas for covering forward-facing camera?
- Thread starter adam_fox
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Here's one that works well but is going to cost you $30.
Family 5 Pack Black Slider Webcam Cover - iPhone Android Laptops Macbooks PCs Tablets Smartphones - Swiss Made Quality - Covers Your Camera for Privacy and Security Against Cam Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AX4VKV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_D2FLxbYZ497PG
I know you don't like people asking why but when you ask people for help knowing the why can actually help with people giving you accurate solutions. Especially when it comes to smartphones and computers.
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Honestly the front facing camera is the least of my concern if someone would hack a smartphone. Hackers generally don't care to have pictures of their victims. What they want are those debit/credit card digits and passwords.
Family 5 Pack Black Slider Webcam Cover - iPhone Android Laptops Macbooks PCs Tablets Smartphones - Swiss Made Quality - Covers Your Camera for Privacy and Security Against Cam Hacks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AX4VKV0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_D2FLxbYZ497PG
I know you don't like people asking why but when you ask people for help knowing the why can actually help with people giving you accurate solutions. Especially when it comes to smartphones and computers.
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Honestly the front facing camera is the least of my concern if someone would hack a smartphone. Hackers generally don't care to have pictures of their victims. What they want are those debit/credit card digits and passwords.
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Disable FaceTime in settings > general > restrictions (turn on, enter a quick passcode and toggle off FaceTime).
Plus it likely wouldn't address the underlying "issue" relating to the reasons why one might want to cover up the camera--which is not included and is basically avoided in the OP--which are likely around the camera somehow getting enabled by someone/something without any particular app or service actually using it.
I see people bringing up security concerns (based on a device being hacked) but there are some places that just don't want you to have your camera usable.
My niece is 9-10 (in a terrible uncle I should know this) and we just visited her two days ago on our cross country trip. Anyway, she had a sticker on her iPhone 5c camera much like what was posted here in the first page. I had never heard of a product like this before seeing it in this thread and immediately thought of the thread. She told me it was because they weren't allowed to have cameras at school. She did also have a similar sticker on the back camera though.
Anyway, I'm not sure what the point is of discussing why a person would want this as I am sure reasons differ. At this point there have been more people hassling the OP than helping him. I guess if that's your prerogative, go for it. At least there were some awesome suggestions. I certainly learned something.
My niece is 9-10 (in a terrible uncle I should know this) and we just visited her two days ago on our cross country trip. Anyway, she had a sticker on her iPhone 5c camera much like what was posted here in the first page. I had never heard of a product like this before seeing it in this thread and immediately thought of the thread. She told me it was because they weren't allowed to have cameras at school. She did also have a similar sticker on the back camera though.
Anyway, I'm not sure what the point is of discussing why a person would want this as I am sure reasons differ. At this point there have been more people hassling the OP than helping him. I guess if that's your prerogative, go for it. At least there were some awesome suggestions. I certainly learned something.
Right now, I use a piece of electrical tape. It works okay, but falls off once in a while. I don't want to permanently cover it on the rare occasion I need it. Ideas welcome.
Note: Please refrain from the "why would you want to do that?" responses. They aren't helpful. Thanks!
So I take it you're not going to cover the 3 microphones? Just because *they* can't see you doesn't mean they can't hear you.
Ideally you figure out who might be spying, photo shop some sort of compromising photo adding the head of the organization you are worried about. Set up phone so front camera sees that picture filling frame. This way they get a picture of their leader doing something compromising.
Obviously hacking the microphone would be serious violation of privacy as well, but you can't disable the mics unless you don't want a phone.
Personally, I find the notion of my camera being hacked a lot more violating and unsettling.
Is it actually happening to most of us? No, probably not. But it can & surely does happen to people every day, and it is a legitimate privacy concern.
Personally, I find the notion of my camera being hacked a lot more violating and unsettling.
Is it actually happening to most of us? No, probably not. But it can & surely does happen to people every day, and it is a legitimate privacy concern.
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The fact that reasons differ is exactly why you need to ask these questions.
It is almost always the case that the question "What's the best way to do X" can only be satisfactorily answered if you know WHY you want to do X. In the case you cite, for example, your niece doesn't really need to know how to block the forward-facing camera; she needs to know how to block BOTH cameras. Someone else with a different use case might need to know how to disable both cameras plus the microphone. Someone else might need one camera blocked, but the other operational. And there may very well be different solutions for each scenario.
If you're asking for advice on the best way of doing something, it's counter-productive to pre-emptively declare that questions about precisely what you're trying to accomplish are off-limits.
Your guess is as good as mine. I was speaking more broadly than just iOS devices. But even with iOS apps, any app you allow to access your cam and mic while using can theoretically do just that with no hack required whenever it's open.
At least Apple gives their users some control over privacy permissions and settings, both before and after installation. Google makes you accept permissions before installing, and some of the permissions even the most useless Play Store apps are automatically granted are ridiculous.
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They're helpful because your goal may affect the solution. Besides, setting guidelines while soliciting free advice is pretty damn tacky.
Seriously OP? You knew the answer to this, the device is in your physical reach, throw something on it to cover it. It really didn't need a thread nor you dictating "guidelines".
Up next: How do I remove the GPS chip in my iPhone? (Please don't ask why, as per my guidelines).
Up next: How do I remove the GPS chip in my iPhone? (Please don't ask why, as per my guidelines).
I have to disagree. The person wants to non permanently block the camera. Knowing why isn't going to be relevant. It could be security. It could be why I posted my niece blocks her camera. It could be because he just wants to. That's not changing methods of blocking said camera.
I can certainly agree that this may apply to other situations, but i don't see how it can apply to this one.
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I certainly learned about products made specifically for this purpose that I may never have known about before reading here.
Is there a god chip disabling sticker that we could learn about here too? (In only teasing in this last part).
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LOL ... right.
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Your lack of imagination doesn't preclude the need for my guidelines. Reflect on this moment; and perhaps you will grow.
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Not really.
The OP said "I don't want to permanently cover it on the rare occasion I need it."
There is no better way in this very specific case:
Without knowing the reasons, it is difficult to give an advice, nevertheless, you have two other options as well:
1. Keep you iPhone in your pocket and use the supplied earphones.
2. Disable the camera (Settings, General, Restrictions, and enable the restriction for the camera).
Without knowing the reasons, it is difficult to give an advice, nevertheless, you have two other options as well:
1. Keep you iPhone in your pocket and use the supplied earphones.
2. Disable the camera (Settings, General, Restrictions, and enable the restriction for the camera).
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Depending on your device color, you could put the Apple decals to use. Trim the small stem away from the large main fruit and use the stem to cover the front camera. Otherwise some small dot vinyl stickers from an office retailer might work.
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This response needs to be drilled. The OP asked for a non permanent suggestion.
I know, I noticed after my answer that OP wanted a non permanent solution. Still, there was no reason at all to be that agressive.
Instead of wrecking a good phone, perhaps a fake moustache or paper bag may be better.
I originally used black electrical tape. Cut a tiny perfect circle in tape with paper punch. It would eventually come off, leaving sticky adhesive residue. Never got around to using paint. I had small tubes of auto touch up paint; was going to just dab a brush or toothpick into paint and 'drop a drop' onto front camera (no screen protector). Also used matte finish Scotch Magic Tape.
I now use small static cling stickers - no residue. You can buy them sold as webcam covers. Google search. Or look for static cling stickers at craft store.
The static cling stickers are on my iPad and iPhone. I cleaned screen protector well and handled sticker only with tweezers. The phone is in and out of pockets and a Sena tight fit slip in pouch, and the sticker remains firmly attached.
I now use small static cling stickers - no residue. You can buy them sold as webcam covers. Google search. Or look for static cling stickers at craft store.
The static cling stickers are on my iPad and iPhone. I cleaned screen protector well and handled sticker only with tweezers. The phone is in and out of pockets and a Sena tight fit slip in pouch, and the sticker remains firmly attached.