iPhone Icons: iPhone Symbols & Meanings for the Home Screen & Control Center

What do all the iPad and iPhone symbols and icons mean? There are iPhone symbols at the top of the screen, iPhone Control Center icons, and even new iPhone icons from iOS 14. Here's a guide to the meaning of all those iPhone icons and symbols.

If you've ever wondered what the iPhone symbols on top of the screen (in the status bar) or in the iPhone Control Center are trying to tell you, then you've come to the right spot. Apple uses iPad and iPhone status icons and symbols to show a lot of information in a very small space on the screen. Some iPhone icons (symbols on an iPhone) are more commonly known, such as the Wi-Fi icon and Bluetooth icon, but some, like the Orientation Lock icon, mystify many. It’s good to know what every iPad and iPhone icon means, so you can utilize their features or make sure at a glance that they’re turned on or off. These iPadOS and iOS status icons are mostly the same for every iPhone generation, whether you have an older iPhone 8, a newer iPhone 11, or the very latest iPhone. There are a few new iPhone symbols Apple introduced with iOS 14, though, and will no doubt be more new iPhone icons in the future. Here are iPhone symbols and their meanings explained; your guide to the most common iPad and iPhone status icons.

iPad & iPhone Icons: iPad & iPhone Symbols & Their Meanings on the Home Screen & in the Control Center
Let's learn the meanings of iPhone symbols and icons, whether they're at the top of your iPhone screen in the Status Bar or Control Center icons. For more tutorials on how to navigate your iPhone and iPad, check out our free Tip of the Day.

Home Screen Icons in the Status Bar (iPhone Symbols at the Top of Your iPhone Screen)
Let’s start at the top of the Home Screen, in the status bar. These iPhone icons can also be seen within apps, but instead of appearing white, they may appear black.

[beauteefulhill]

Thank you so much. Just what I needed.

[mysticchick]

Thank you so much for this! I didn’t know what that cellular data icon was lol

[unokoito]

How bout upper left side with an icon green color phone and facing down

[GoMaRElKoN]

There’s a new icon, .. on my iPhone, up left, there’s an icon like a person, it looks like SharePlay, but without the bows, ..
I tried to search about the meaning of it, but I can’t find any, ..!
Note: I haven’t use SharePlay for so long, ..

Thank You for your time, ..
Mona

[johnhelmick]

Well the top of mine shows like a telephone like on a hook and I haven’t found that yet what that means

[carlosroman]

My top left has a purple bar like the call one but purple

[kmoreno]

How about phone sign with arrow pointing in the middle sir?

[richardscott]

Concise and well put together. Thank you.

[jimtempleton]

What is a box with little red cross on it mean. Top right corner on a basic phone

[animeboy]

I have an earth globe symbol on the top left corner what does that mean

[carolgardner]

What does 4 white dots mean at the top of the screen, I can’t make or receive calls now

[nathanbarron]

What’s the meaning of the lock and the arrow around and can you turn it off?

[ritacrisp]

What is the meaning of the telephone symbol at the top of my phone?

[kyrankitt]

I have no cellular connection on me phone idk what it means and it’s just 4 …. Like that what does it mean could some one tell me

[oliversherman]

I've got an android and there's an X icon on the top left of my screen. What does it mean?

[sallycomania]

How to remove the red that always appearing in the screen?

[redwanha]

What is the sign of a telephone and a right headed arrow next to it

[Jess-ncoy]

He sounds like Chirs Hallbeck, the cartoonist :)

[goe]

Anyone else have a letter E on the top left corner of the Home Screen???

[davidsg]

Hack: 3D Touch the Network Settings Card, you will see more settings