Why the yellow microphone indicator or floating island that says "On" appears
The yellow microphone icon is shown by iOS whenever an app is using your microphone. Willow uses your microphone so you can dictate inside:
Gmail
Messages
Slack
Notes
Any other app where you type on your phone
This is part of how Willow lets you talk anywhere on your phone, not just inside the Willow app.
Why Willow needs background microphone access
Apple does not allow third-party keyboards or apps to use the microphone silently in the background. So when you start dictation in another app, Willow must:
Activate the microphone
Start a background audio session
Keep it running while you move between apps
Once this background session is on, your iPhone shows the yellow microphone indicator so you always know when the microphone is active. This is required by Apple and is not something Willow can hide or disable.
What background microphone access allows you to do
Background microphone access lets Willow:
Work in any app
Keep dictation running smoothly
Start new dictation sessions quickly
Switch between apps without stopping your recording
Give you long, uninterrupted dictation sessions
Without the background microphone session, Willow would only work inside the Willow app.
When the indicator stays on
The yellow microphone indicator stays on as long as:
You have an active Willow microphone session
You are dictating across apps
Willow’s background microphone mode is enabled
When the session ends or is turned off, the yellow microphone indicator disappears.
How to turn off the background microphone session
You have full control over the microphone and can turn it off anytime in one of three ways:
Option 1: From the live activity
Tap the live activity bar and turn off the microphone session.
Option 2: From inside Willow
Open Willow and tap the green microphone toggle in the top right corner.
Option 3: Close Willow
Swipe up to fully close the Willow app. This immediately ends the background session.
Is this safe?
Yes. Willow only activates the microphone when you choose to dictate. Your microphone is not used for anything else, and Willow follows all Apple requirements around background audio and microphone access. You will always see the yellow indicator whenever your microphone is active so you are fully aware and in control.