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Android System Icons List (Top Screen) – What Do They Mean?

Ever had the situation in your Android device where you would get an unfamiliar icon on either the top right or top left corner of your screen which cannot be removed?

This question the main reason why we decided to create the following article and explain to you what those icons are, appearing on your smartphones or tablets so that you can decide whether or not the notifications they represent are important or not. Let’s begin!

Bear in mind that since the number of those icons is vast, we will focus only on the most unrecognizable ones, to help you understand them.

The Android Icons List




The Plus in a Circle Icon

This icon means that you can save on your data usage by going into the data settings on your device. It is called the Data Saver icon and it exists primarily in Android devices with Nougat 7.0 version.

Two Horizontal Arrows Icon

This icon means that if you have mobile data usage enabled, the network behind the data usage is using LTE services, more importantly VoLTE (Voice Over LTE). It is basically using 4G to make voice communications, similar to what VoIP (voice over IP) is. So far this technology is being tested by most cell phone carriers, but it is already implemented by few of them.

G, E and H Icons

Basically, these icons are related to your internet connection speed and data plan. G is for GPRS(General Packet Radio Service) which you may as well be aware of by now and it is the slowest of them all. The E is the same technology, but in a more advanced and evolved form, called EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GMS Evolution. The H, respectively stands for HSPDA or High-Speed Downlink Packet access – basically 3G, but a bit faster. It also has an H+ version which is it’s evolved variant, that is not as speedy as a 4G network is, but has more reception currently.

H+ Icon

Similar to the H, E, G and 3G icons, the H+ icon is an evolved H connection, but still it is not as fast as a regular 4G connection and the H+ stands short for HSPDA+, which means “High-Speed Downlink Packet Access”.

4G LTE Icon

If you are using mobile connection, then this is definitely the icon which you should be familiar with. It is the latest mobile internet connectivity technology 4G. What is most interesting here is that a newer 5G will aim to replace 4G soon as it has now been reported to be active in several places in North America.

The R Icon

This icon stands for the roaming service of your Android device, meaning that your phone has connected to another cell which does not belong to our own network. When you have this icon, you are likely not going to be able to use your internet connection.

The Blank Triangle Icon

Similar to a billiard triangle, this technology is the same as the R symbol, indicating roaming. It shows mostly on older Android devices.

Phone Handset Call Icon with Wi-Fi Icon

If you see this icon, do not worry – you are not in a call. It simply means that your phone is configured so that it can make calls over Wi-Fi. This is a feature that exists in most UK networks to incease the quality of a call, if a phone does not have enough reception “bars” when you are inside your home, for example.

A Phone Headset Icon with Keyboard

This icon means that your TTY accessibility is switched on. It means that if you are deaf or having difficulty in spreaking or hearing, you can type messages, to make the communication easier and possible.

The Star Icon

The star icon does not mean that your phone is world famous, not at all. Instead it aims to tell you that you have turned on a priority mode. This mode allows you to receive only notifications from contacts that you have added as favorites. It is also known as Priority Mode.

The N Icon

Probably the most sought after icon by confused users, it means that you have turned on the NFC communication of your device. It basically means the Near Field Communication. The technology allows you to e transfer data with nearby devices by connecting directly to it via wireless. It can be switched off from the WiFi or connection options.

Two Arrows Inside Rectangles

This icon basically means that your NFC Android Bean is turned on, meaning that you are transferring files via wireless quicker.

Upside Down Pin with Circle

This icon is basically the location icon, meaning that you have turned on either Google location, GPS service or some other type of location services.




A Satellite Dish Icon Transferring Signal

This icon is very similar to the Location icon and it means that the GPS technology on your device is turned on. Both icons can be turned off from the Location settings on your device.

Forbidden Sign (No Parking)

This icon does not have anything to do with your parking skills. It does not forbid anything, instead it is simply a notification that you are in an area that does not have cellular connection and it means that you cannot make calls or send text messages.

The Photo-like Icon

This icon aims to tell you that you have successfully made a screenshot on the screen of your phone by pressing a key combination. It is basically a square with mountain-like landscape inside. It can be removed fairly easily by clearing your notifications.

The Eye Symbol Icon

If you see this icon, do not panic – BigBrother is not watching you, although you never know… The icon can be seen mostly if you have Samsung Android devices. It has a function, known as Smart Stay. This function means that your screen will not go dark when you are looking at it. This interesting feature can be stopped from the settings menu.

Phone Headset with Wi-Fi Signal Icon

If you have come across this icon, do not panic, you are not in an active call and your monthly telephone payment is not going to be sky high. This is the new feature that is used when the phone has set up a Wi-Fi call. This is a relatively new extra that allows users to make phone calls via Wi-Fi instead when the conventional mobile signal is weak.




Square Screen and Wi-Fi Icon

This icon basically means that your Android device is casting via wireless to another device that is connected on the network, like an Android smart TV for example. If you have this icon set up on your TV, then simply go over to YouTube and play a video and it will automatically appear there. This technology is known as Google Chromecast.

Other Icons

Besides these, newer and newer Android icons appear each day with newer and newer ones to appear. We have summed up lists that we have gathered from around the web underneath to provide further information regarding Android Icons:





Do You See an Unfamiliar Icon?

In case you are experiencing issues with icons that are unfamiliar to you on your Android device, we are here to help. Simply comment us below and upload a screenshot on your comment so we can adequately explain you what is the icon and how you can turn it off.

Furthermore, for more information and the complete list of the material icons, you can visit their official website.

NOTE! To upload screenshots of your Icons, please use this site: https://ibb.co/. Here is how to use it:

1.Click on the “Start Uploading” button.
2.Choose the screenshot.
3.Copy the generated upload link and send it in the comments.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

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93 Comments
  1. Sean

    Its a data usage warning

    Reply
  2. Fran

    ibb.co/pJHYc21

    Can anyone tell me what that check mark means

    Reply
    1. chris lim

      i guess your Download completed?

      Reply
    2. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      Download completed

      Reply
  3. Mary

    New icon popped up, it is a square with what looks like a sideways G with a . in the center

    Reply
  4. Bruno

    Do you know what icon this is?

    https://ibb.co/pWhVLmC

    Reply
    1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      Looks like some nasty optimiser bloatware. Check your apps.

      Reply
  5. Bruno

    Do you recognize this icon. I didn’t see it in full list and I have it shown in top left very often

    https://ibb.co/pWhVLmC

    Reply
    1. Bruno

      It’s ok, found it. It’s Cleaner and File Manager

      Reply
    2. Sonja v D

      Vandaag een update gehad naar Android 12. Maar na de update heb ik een irritante icoontje op mijn beeldscherm die niet weg wilt je kunt hem wel verplaatsten maar niet verwijderen en er gebeurt niks als ik er op klikt.
      Het lijkt op een microfoon en is groen er omheen.
      ibb.co/C1zq7FT

      Reply
      1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

        Do a factory reset from settings, it will go away. That is how i fixed a friends’ phone.

        Reply
  6. Chakra
    1. Josue

      Olá,

      Tenho vista essa figura de um escudo metade branca e metade preta na tela superior do lado esquerdo do meu Android por alguns meses. Ela aparece e dura por cerca de dois segundos e então desaparece. Às vezes uma, e por vezes duas.

      Muito obrigado pela atenção

      Reply
  7. Chakra
  8. Chakra
    1. Chakra
  9. David Trapnell

    I uploaded DSCF3219.jpg. It did not give a way to add contact information or question. I was trying to find out what the up and down squiggle in the upper left means. This icon does not seem to appear in any of the lists I found. Additionally, two of the three methods for obtaining a screenshot did not work. Furthermore, the screenshot I finally did obtain did not include the notification area. It was necessary to use a close-up camera, copy the image to the PC, and upload it from there.

    Reply
  10. Daniel

    Hallo beste ict man ik zie soms links boven in de hoek een vreemd wifi icoontje verschijnen voor een paar seconden dan gaat het weer weg, terwijl ik al een eigen wifi icoontje heb rechts van me telefoon van me eigen wifi in huis, ik vindt dit heel raar, en het gaat al bijna zo’n jaar door, heel af en toe, niet altijd. Kunt u mij hiermee helpen? Alvast vriendelijk bedankt.

    Met vriendelijke groet,
    Sportman Daniel

    Reply
  11. Cees

    ibb.co/Tt5tBys

    Weet iemand wat het geel gemarkeerde icoon is?

    Reply
    1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      This is the Android Messages icon.

      Reply
  12. Iceman Eklund

    The strange “screen” in the picture.
    Any idea?
    ibb.co/pxSX1qn

    Reply
    1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      I usually get this when pairing with an external device, like a TV

      Reply
    2. Larnie

      ibb.co/n1YGs6D

      Anyone know what these 2 icons are?
      Thanks

      Reply
  13. Michael Vilain

    Don’t know what this icon is. It’s called circle-bar in the various character sets but I can’t find any app that might generate it on my Android 12 Pixel 3a. Any ideas?

    ibb.co/XJRZcM5

    Reply
    1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      Do not disturb mode.

      Reply
    2. Marijn

      Enig idee waar dit icoon in de taakbalk betrekking op heeft? Blijft er maar staan en verdwijnt niet meer:

      ibb.co/7t28rVp

      Reply
  14. Hank

    ibb.co/z4VD1b3

    Reply
    1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      It looks like an icon from some sort of an app, i guess. No idea what it is.

      Reply
  15. John W Behrman

    Got a weird icon on my android tablet that I have no idea about. It is a broken lined triangle with two arrows like the data symbol in it. It sits on the right side of my screen and only goes away when I turn on my VPN but comes back when I turn it off again. I would load a screenshot of it, but don’t know how here since there is no option to do that.

    Reply
    1. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

      It appears that this Icon belongs to your Samsung’s Data Saver Mode.

      Reply
  16. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    It means that you likely have hidden notifications. If the dots are 2, then the notifications are more than 5.

    Reply
  17. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    I have no idea.

    Reply
  18. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    Power Saver mode.

    Reply
  19. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    It appears to come from some chat client.

    Reply
  20. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    This is the download booster. It means faster download, because your wi-fi, mobile network and other tech is combined to increase speed.

    Reply
  21. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    Do you have a VPN service, because this might be VPN.

    Reply
  22. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    Tom, this means the power saver is on.

    Reply
  23. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    Hello, the link does not work. :/

    Reply
  24. Ventsislav Krastev (Post author)

    This means that some of the applications are taking too much power from your battery and asks you to optimize your device. Other meaning could be advice to plug into a charger.

    Reply
  25. venus

    ibb.co/Ht92RYb

    Reply
  26. S.T

    Bonjour,

    Voici une icône qui est arrivé de nul part, l’icône est à fond vert avec des traits blancs en forme de carreaux ainsi qu’une tête d’Android à moitié, pourquoi est-elle présente et comment l’a désinstaller ?

    ibb.co/j56GmsQ

    Reply
  27. Fajar

    ibb.co/1qfsXz7

    Reply
  28. Ronny

    Dit kleine icoontje kan ik niet plaatsen welke app of systeem instelling dit aan de statusbalk koppeld. Wie weet het ?
    Android 11 op Samsung Note 10 plus

    ibb.co/B32jJdX

    Reply
  29. Subin Antony

    ibb.co/wLskM95

    Kindly help me out in finding what that green symbol is

    Reply
  30. Soto

    Tengo este problema, más de la mitad de la betería pero el simbolo sale amarillo, ¿Qué puede ser?
    ibb.co/k9snVVM

    Muchas gracias.

    Reply
  31. Albert Contreras

    Hello,

    Do you know what the icon in the orange circle means? Sorry if this is the second message you receive from me on the same day. I wasn’t sure if the first submission was correct.

    ibb.co/Yd6NSJV

    Thank you!

    Albert

    Reply
    1. Albert Contreras

      Solved! It seems it has to do with something called “WAP Insertion”. It’s a system service, so I cannot delete it, only force it to stop. It starts anew every time I turn my cell phone on.

      Reply
  32. Maurizio

    Ultimamente mi è apparso un + dentro l’icona della batteria. Non da cosa è dovuto e come toglierlo.

    Reply
  33. Trini

    Recientemente apareció este nuevo icono en mi barra de notificaciones. Sabes que significa? Gracias
    ibb.co/B6H24gR

    Reply
  34. KEN

    This icon just recently popped up on my Samsung S10+.
    It can show up on the notifications but seems to show up in front of anywhere that uses contact icons. Such as before a name on an SMS message or possibly a phone call. But i have no real idea other than a hunch it has to do with caller id or possibly blocking a call. I cannot seem to even get samsung to give me an answer.
    ibb.co/k6mc5sR

    Reply
  35. Toño

    En mi cel en la parte central super. Dos puntos (..) q significa porfavor. Gracias.

    Reply
  36. Gautam

    ibb.co/TTwqC0G

    Reply
  37. Heidi Vargas

    ibb.co/vQ62hsZ
    The icon is just a small filled in circle next to the wifi symbol. I have no clue what it is or how to turn it off.

    Reply
  38. Jill handzo

    What is this weird triangle that looks like arrows going up and down in it?

    Reply
  39. Luz

    La parte superior dónde está la barra de wi-fi de repente apareció un punto me podrías decir qué significa

    Reply
  40. Jana

    Ich hab nach einem Neustart dieses Symbol oben Links:
    ibb.co/Nm1yKTk

    Ich bekomm keine Info, wenn ich das Menü öffne, kann es nicht ausschalten, googel findet nix, es taucht in keiner Übersicht auf

    Reply
  41. Jana

    ibb.co/Nm1yKTk7

    Taucht seit einem Neustart des Smartphones auf. Ich bekomme keine Informationen, kann es nicht ausschalten, es taucht in keiner Liste auf.

    Reply
  42. Koryan

    ibb.co/0nptPrw ho solo il dubbio se sia uno zero o una O . . ho messo uno zero

    Reply
  43. Maggie

    What icon has 3 squares and a circle

    Reply
  44. Honey Monster

    Can you publish list of icons that appear across top of screen which refer to notifications. I need to spot what I have just received quickly as spending far too much time finding out what has arrived and where to look.

    Reply
  45. Tony

    On the left corner of my phone, to the left of my time was like a sqare like a planket or something. Iv never seen it and dont know how to figure out what it was and means. Any help?? Thank you and sorry if its a real dumb question i might just be late .

    Reply
  46. Eldin S.

    ibb.co/Y8GDpV1

    What is this icon for and how can I remove it.

    Reply
  47. Eastcider

    The white dot on the left is when you have a pending voicemail, clear your voice mailbox to clear the dot. Feel free to test this when you see the dot, clear and properly exit your voicemail to see it disappear.

    The white dot on the right comes on when you turn on mobile data. This can be turned on and off in the drag down notification thingy. Feel free to test it on and off to see that it dictaes if the white dot comes on or not.

    I discovered these once and for all by turning off things one by one, until they vanished. Then I turned the same ones back on to see if the dot comes back.

    Tried and tested,

    Left white dot = V. mail pending

    Right white dot = Mobile data (on)

    Reply
  48. Jennifer C

    ibb.co/wNhvX18

    Does this android symbol look familiar ?

    Reply
  49. Daniele

    ibb.co/yhrwSHd
    Estou em duvida sobre o R dentro do círculo.
    Se puder me ajudar já agradeço.

    Reply
  50. Marijn

    Waar heeft onderstaand icoon betrekking op? Deze verdwijnt niet meer van mijn telefoon.

    ibb.co/7t28rVp

    Reply
  51. Karen

    ibb.co/KbWCswf

    The triangle with lines or something

    Reply
  52. Karen

    Not sure what triangle means.
    ibb.co/KbWCswf

    Reply
  53. russell

    ibb.co/jLNrmc8

    This appeared today next to the other notifications icon. I cannot find it anywhere on the internet with a google search

    Reply
  54. Stephen

    Can you tell me what this is ibb.co/GJfrQGB

    Reply
  55. Steven

    ibb.co/jbswzTT Would you be able to help with this?

    Reply
  56. Shannon

    ibb.co/wN9Krvd

    Right top next to connectivity; battery percentage

    Reply
  57. Hassan

    What could this be?
    ibb.co/mHwvr10

    Reply
  58. Julia

    ibb.co/R4SxpdM

    What does the icon mean? (See red square on SS)

    Reply
  59. Niccolo

    Ho come icona un rettangolino piccolo tra l’icona batteria e quella wifi, in alto a destra, sapete che icona possa essere?

    Reply
  60. Miranda

    same phone

    Reply
  61. Miranda

    I saw a R symbol on Samsung galaxy s8 edge its weird

    Reply
  62. Stephanie

    It looks like a symbol of a phone on the top right corner. Next to it 5G then shoes how many bars then batterey. I don’t remember it being here or never knew what this symbol means? Tia

    Reply
  63. Allan

    Dette icon kommer jævnligt op, hvad betyder det.
    ibb.co/dPGTqq3
    Jeg har en Samsung S10 med android 12 ver. One-UI 4.1

    Reply
  64. Judith

    A mi me sale dos iconos pero parecen la cabeza de android y cada que aparece se baja el volumen de mi celular , a que se debe eso ?

    Reply
  65. Steven
  66. Belinda

    I can’t upload the screen shot. It’s a upside down tick next to a backwards tick. Thanks

    Reply
  67. ALEXANDRE

    Olá!
    No meu celular Motorola aparece um *pontinho” ( . ) na barra de notificação superior esquerda.
    O que pode ser?

    Reply
  68. jared

    ibb.co/SB2HH21
    driving me nuts this icon showed up 2 days ago won’t allow me.to click on it and won’t go away, phone been acting funny since then as well. I went through every icon on the Google page linked above and not one is an exact match as well as a Google lens search failed to give any new info.

    Reply
  69. Vania

    ibb.co/7K41H6T

    Why do my data and wifi icons have a stripe in them? It’s constant, regardless of strength of signal

    Reply
  70. Ramón

    Hola buenas ,ahora justo me ha salido un icono en mi Android Xiaomi,que se pone y se quita en la barra de notificaciones ,es un pequeño hombrecito,de los hombros para arriba con tres lines curvas como si fueran el símbolo de sonido ,como si alguien estuviese hablando ,pero se pone y se quita rápido ,no tengo idea de lo q es ,podría ayudarme ??

    Reply
  71. Anne Powell

    Single dot beside the time on my Android tablet. Additionally, a man figure at bottom right corner of my Android phone. No it is beside other ions near the clock/time

    Reply
  72. M

    ibb.co/GC4CZmN

    Phone with a number (1)

    Reply
  73. Katherine Luoinek

    I have the capitol letter I when turning on my phone . Not the eyeball icon. It is a capital I. When I pull down on my screen it quickly disappears. It is in the left hand corner.
    Thank you so much for your help and time. K.Lupinek

    Reply
  74. Darren

    I have a capitol S symbol with 2 ears and 2 dots in the top half of the symbol only when my phone 1st boots up it appears on the locks creek then disappears and gone.

    Reply
  75. Aniello

    Un icona strana vicino al livello batteria sembra un cerchio con una piccola asticella dentro. Grazie

    Reply
  76. Jason

    Red square with explanation point in the middle means what?

    Reply
  77. Mia

    Hace unos días tengo un icono en la barra de tarea que nunca he visto ni encuentro que significa. Es un círculo con dos flechas (como el del icono de datos) y una hoja en la parte inferior derecha. Que indica este icono?
    Muchas gracias.

    Reply

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