The phone icon looks like a green status-bar icon at the top of an iPhone screen, and it appears only when the iPhone is on an active phone call. This is the primary answer to what does the phone icon look like on Apple devices, where it serves as a live indicator rather than a static app symbol.
What does the phone icon look like on iPhone
On an iPhone, the phone icon is a green status-bar icon that appears at the very top of the screen. Apple documents its exact meaning as “Phone call. iPhone is on a phone call.” The icon is not a separate app icon or a customizable element; it is a system indicator that shows up only during an active call. Its location is fixed in the status bar, and it disappears once the call ends.
What does the phone icon look like on Android
On Android devices, the primary phone icon is the Phone app icon found in the app drawer or on the home screen. Unlike the iPhone’s status-bar indicator, the Android phone icon’s exact design varies by manufacturer (e.g., Samsung vs. Google Pixel), operating system version, and any user-applied themes or icon packs. There is no single official visual description for Android because the icon is not standardized across all devices.
Where to find the phone icon on your device
To locate the phone icon on your device, follow these steps based on your operating system:
- On iPhone: Look at the status bar at the top of the screen during an active phone call. The green phone icon appears there. Outside of a call, no phone icon is shown in the status bar.
- On Android: Check the home screen dock (often at the bottom of the screen) for a Phone app icon. If it is not there, open the app drawer (the grid of all apps) and look for an icon labeled “Phone” or represented by a handset or smartphone silhouette. You can also use the device’s search function to find the Phone app by typing “Phone.”
Why phone icons can look different
Phone icon designs vary because of differences in operating system versions, manufacturer skins (such as Samsung’s One UI versus a Google Pixel’s stock Android), carrier customizations, and user-installed themes or icon packs. On iPhone, the only phone icon documented by Apple is the green status-bar indicator, which does not change appearance. On Android, the Phone app icon can range from a classic handset to a modern smartphone outline, depending on the software and personalization choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phone icon look like on my specific device?
Check your device’s status bar during a call for a green icon on iPhone, or look in your app drawer for the Phone app icon on Android. The exact shape and color depend on your manufacturer and theme.
Can the phone icon vary across different devices?
Yes, especially on Android, where manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus use different designs. On iPhone, the green status-bar icon is consistent across all models running iOS.
Where can I find the phone icon on my smartphone?
On iPhone, it appears only in the status bar during a call. On Android, it is typically on the home screen dock or in the app drawer. Use the search function on either device if you cannot locate it.
What do phone icon symbols and indicators mean?
Phone icon symbols and indicators include the green status-bar icon on iPhone, which means an active call, and the Phone app icon on Android, which opens the dialer. Other symbols, like a red phone icon, may indicate a missed call or voicemail depending on the device.
How to put phone icon back on home screen?
To put phone icon back on home screen on Android, open the app drawer, long-press the Phone app icon, and drag it to your home screen. On Android, the Phone app icon can also be restored by unhiding it in Home screen settings. On iPhone, the Phone app cannot be removed from the home screen in standard iOS, so it should already be present.
