What the Symbols on Your Apple iPhone Mean

Aug 3, 2021

Over the years, as iOS versions improve and advance, the symbols and status indicators on our iPhones have changed too. Oftentimes, this creates confusion, curiosity, and even stress surrounding particular symbols, especially those that indicate the use of microphones and other privacy concerns.

This is totally understandable, and it's another reason why knowledge is power. First off, I was to make sure you know that these symbols and status indicators are here for your benefit and to assist you and only you. They are there to let you know what is being used or accessed on your iPhone, as well as to alert you that certain apps may be accessing certain information.

Secondly, also know that when you are downloading third-party applications you are often giving that app access to your microphone, data, or camera. Luckily, this is nothing to fear, because Apple has recently included a feature that allows to disable or enable access to certain privacy concerning parts of your data or iPhone. Also, you can always alter what apps you have and don't have access to.

To take it one further, also consider that some of these accesses are completely normal. For example, a third-party messaging and calling application might need access to your mic to allow you to make calls, or a photo editing app might need access to your photos to edit them. Regardless, it's important to know what the symbols mean on your iPhone, especially the more ambiguous ones so that you can make the necessary changes.

In this guide, I will cover some of the most asked about iPhone symbols meanings and indications, I will provide steps on how to see a third-party app's access and alter that access, and I will also provide a full list of all iPhone symbols and what they represent.

iPhone 11 (256GB + Green)

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Apple (Edited)

The green dot is a newer iPhone symbol that sparked some concern by iPhone users, but don't worry. This green dot will appear at the top of your iPhone screen when your iPhone's camera and/or microphone are being accessed.

Examples of when the green dot will appear:

When using FaceTime or other third-party video chatting apps
When taking pictures
When scanning documents using the camera
When using Snapchat
When recording video
When scanning QR codes

These are only a few examples of what might prompt the green dot.

To disable an app's camera access:

Open Settings.
Click "privacy."
Click "camera."
Disable and enable any app you prefer from the list below.

Consider that these apps might need access to the camera to be fully functional.

Apple (Edited)

The orange dot will appear at the top of your screen when the microphone is being used. This is pretty standard behavior for many apps, and is usually harmless. If you do not want an app to have access, and want to disable it, follow the steps below. First, check out some of the apps that prompt this indicator.

Examples of when the orange dot will appear:

When using the Voice Memo app
When voice chatting via Snapchat, Messenger, and other third-party apps
When calling your voicemail
When on the phone

To disable an app's microphone access:

Open Settings.
Click "privacy."
Click "microphone."
Disable and enable any app you prefer from the list below.

Consider that these apps might need access to the microphone to be fully functional.

Apple (Edited)

Status bars are another ambiguous symbol on iPhones that most iPhone users feel uncertain of, and understandably so. They aren't self-explanatory and haven't always been an iOS feature. Don't worry, these symbols are there to let you know what your iPhone is currently up to.

Each of the three status bars you will see on your iPhone have different but similar meanings that indicate certain parts of your iPhone are being used or accessed at that moment.

Status bar meanings

Blue status bar- The blue status bar is the more complex of the three status bars because it can indicate multiple uses. The blue status bar is most commonly associated with screen sharing because that's when it's generally noticed is on-screen sharing sessions with tech support. However, it can also appear when you are screen mirroring (sharing your screen to another device), or if an app is currently using your location. You will notice this appears when using the Maps app to navigate somewhere.
Green status bar- This one is simple. If you are on a call, the green status bar will appear.
Red status bar- The red status bar indicates that your screen and/or your microphone are being recorded. This is especially apparent when recording your own screen or using the Voice Memo app.

To find out which app is doing this, simply click the status bar, and it will either open the app or prompt you with a pop-up asking you if you want to close the app and which app it is.

It's important to note that these bars are there to tell you what your iPhone is currently doing, not to scare you. Many third-party apps do have access to different apps, data, and features on your iPhone because permission is given when you download the app. However, you can also go to an app's settings to alter some of them.

To change an app's settings:

Open Settings.
Scroll down until you find the app.
Disable any of the following: location services, face ID, tracking, Camera, Photos, or microphone.

Rember, some apps might need the above access to be fully functional, so depending on the app's function, you may not want to disable all access.

Apple (Edited)

Do Not Disturb is one of my favorite iOS features since it allows me to unplug when needed, but the symbol can be confusing for those who don't know much about DND.

This symbol can pop up next to a particular message thread in Messages if you have turned it on for that person. It can also appear at the top of your screen if DND is on at that moment. This is important to know, especially if you noticed you haven't been hearing your calls or notification and aren't sure why.

Apple (Edited)

Location services is a big one, but don't worry. This little symbol will tell you when your location is being accessed, so that you can disable that access if you would like, though it is completely normal for some apps to access your location services.

Apps that use location services:

Uber
Lyft
Pokémon Go
Uber Eats
DoorDash
Google Maps
Maps
Weather (and other weather apps)
Road Trippers
Compass
Google (when searching for restaurants, etc. near you)

How to disable location services:

Open Settings.
Click "privacy."
Click "location services."
Disable and enable any app you prefer from the list below.

Some of these apps may need access to location services to provide accurate information.

Apple (Edited)

If you bring up, or down depending on your iPhone model, you will see the orientation lock symbol there. If it is on, that is when the symbol will appear at the top of the screen. This can be turned on and off in the command center.

Its purpose is to stop your screen from orienting every time you move. For example, if you are reading in bed, you may notice the screen flips if you put it at too much of an angle, and this feature will prevent that so that you can turn the phone without the screen flipping each time you do.

Apple (Edited)

This is a good one to be aware of, especially if you plug your iPhone into a computer that isn't yours and you are syncing to a computer at home. This symbol shows up when your iPhone is syncing to a computer via iTunes.

Here is a full, simple list of the symbols on your iPhone as referenced from support.apple.com. These may change over time and with different iOS versions. So, make sure you are up to date before viewing this list.

If your iPhone has plateaued and cannot update to the most recent version, you may just notice some of these symbols don't apply to your iPhone.

Symbol	Meaning
Apple	Blue status bar can indicate a few things, specifically location services, hotspot, or screen mirroring
Apple	Green status bar indicates an ongoing call
Apple	Red status bar indicates screen or mic recording
Apple	Your microphone is being used by one or more applications on your iPhone.
Apple	Your camera is being used by one or more applications on your iPhone.
Apple	AirDrop
Apple	Hotspot
Apple	Cellular data
Apple	Bluetooth
Apple	Airplane mode
Apple	5G available
Apple	High frequency 5G
Apple	5G E available
Apple	LTE
Apple	3G available
Apple	4G available
Apple	GPRS available
Apple	Edge available
Apple	Cellular service
Apple	Dual sim cellular service
Apple	Wi-Fi calling available
Apple	Wi-Fi connection
Apple	VPN connected
Apple	VPN not connected
Apple	Location services is being used
Apple	Network activity or loading
Apple	Call forwarding is on
Apple	TTY (teletypewriter) is on
Apple	Airplane mode is on
Apple	DND is on
Apple	iPhone is currently sycning to iTunes
Apple	Orientation lock is enabled
Apple	Headset or earbuds connected (wireless)
Apple	iPhone is Locked via touch ID, face ID, or passcode
Apple	You currently have an alarm set
Apple	Your iPhone is currently connected to a hotspot
Apple	Current battery charge level
Apple	Bluetooth battery charge level
Apple	CarPlay is currently connected to your iPhone