Your mobile phone, whether it’s an Android or an iPhone, can display over 40 different icons in the status bar (at the top of the screen) to indicate all sorts of information. Ignoring the meaning of these icons poses no risk to your phone, but we think the meaning of some of them is curious. In the case of the iPhone, the list of icons is universal across all models, but in the case of Android smartphones, the design may change. For this guide, we’ve chosen the ones used by Samsung, which we think are pretty typical for other Android smartphones. Without further ado, here’s the meaning of all the icons on your mobile phone.
What do the iPhone status icons mean?
1 Wi-Fi: iPhone is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
2 Cellular signal: The number of bars indicates the strength of your cellular signal. If there is no signal, the message “No Service” will be displayed.
3 Dual Cellular Signal: On dual SIM models, the top row of bars shows the signal strength of the line you’re using for cellular data. The bottom row of bars shows the signal strength of the other line. If there’s no signal, you’ll see a “No Service” message.
4 Flight mode: When Airplane mode is activated, calls are not possible and other wireless communication features may be disabled.
5 5G: Your operator’s 5G network is available.
6 5G UC: Your carrier’s 5G UC network is available, which may include a higher-frequency version of your carrier’s 5G.
7 5G+: Your carrier’s 5G+ network is available, which may include a higher-frequency version of your carrier’s 5G.
8 5G SW: Your carrier’s 5G UW network is available, which may include a higher-band version of your carrier’s 5G.
9 5G E: Your carrier’s 5G E network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the Internet through it.
10LTE: Your carrier’s LTE network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the Internet through it.
11 UMTS: Your carrier’s 4G UMTS (GSM) or LTE network (depending on your carrier) is available, and your iPhone can connect to the Internet through it.
12 EDGE: Your carrier’s EDGE (GSM) network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the Internet through it.
13 GPRS/1xRTT: Your carrier’s GPRS (GSM) or 1xRTT (CDMA) network is available, and your iPhone can connect to the Internet through it.
14 Just SOS: Not all of your mobile operator’s services are available, but emergency calls may be possible through other carriers’ networks.
15 Emergency SOS via satellite: The iPhone doesn’t have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, but you can contact emergency services via satellite.
16 Wi-Fi calls: Your iPhone is set up for Wi-Fi calling. iPhone also displays the carrier name next to the icon.
17 Internet Sharing: iPhone connects to the Internet through a public Internet hotspot on another device.
18 VPN: iPhone is connected to the network using VPN.
19 Navigation: iPhone offers step-by-step instructions.
20 Internet Sharing: iPhone offers a hotspot for sharing your Internet connection.
21 Call Call: The iPhone is talking on the phone.
22 FaceTime: iPhone is on a FaceTime call.
23 Screen recording: iPhone is recording your screen.
24 Camera is used: The app uses your camera.
25 Microphone is used: The app uses your microphone.
26 Synchronization: Indicates that the iPhone is syncing with the computer.
27 Network activity: Shows that there is network activity. Some third-party applications may also use it to show the active process.
28 Call forwarding: Call forwarding is set up.
29 Castle: The iPhone is locked.
30 Do Not Disturb: Do Not Disturb mode is activated.
31 Lock Portrait Orientation: iPhone screen is locked in portrait orientation.
32 Location: The application uses the location feature.
33 Alarm: Indicates that the alarm is set.
34 Headphones connected: iPhone is paired with Bluetooth headphones that are turned on and within range.
35 Battery: Indicates the iPhone’s battery level. If the icon is yellow, it means Battery Saver mode is enabled.
36 Charging the battery: Indicates that the iPhone battery is charging.
37 Bluetooth device battery: Indicates the battery level of the paired Bluetooth device.
38 AirPlay: AirPlay function is activated.
39 Voice control: Voice control is activated in the Settings > Accessibility menu.
40 teletype: RTT/TTY software or TTY hardware is activated.
41 Carplay: iPhone is connected to CarPlay.
42 eyes free from Siri: You can ask Siri questions and requests in the car.
What do the icons on the top panel of a Samsung mobile phone mean?
1: No signal.
2: Strong signal.
3: Data roaming is active.
4: Connected to GPRS network.
5: Connected to the EDGE network.
6: Connected to UMTS network.
7: Connected to HSDPA network.
8: Connected to HSPA+ network.
9: Connected to 4G network.
10: Connected to LTE network.
11: Connected to 5G network.
12: Connected to an LTE network that includes 5G connectivity.
13: Connected to Wi-Fi.
14: Connected to Wi-Fi but no internet access
15: Connected to a Bluetooth device.
16: S Pen connected
17: S Pen is disabled
18: S Pen battery level.
19: Using location services.
20: Call in progress.
21: Missed call.
22: New text or multimedia message.
23: The alarm is activated.
24: Silent mode.
25: Vibration mode.
26: Airplane mode is active.
27: Error or attention required.
28: Charging the battery.
29: Battery charge level.
30: Battery saving mode is active.
31: Data saving mode is active.
32: Connected to a VPN service.
33: Active mobile hotspot.
34: Advanced processing is active.
35: Broadcast is on.
36: Wi-Fi calling is enabled.
37: NFC is active.
38: Share active Wi-Fi.
39: Microphone is muted.
40: Separate sound from active application
41: Update available.
Source: Digital Trends
