Phone handset with an arrow at the top of the screen: what does it mean?
The same idea means two different things: on an iPhone, call forwarding is set up; on a Samsung Galaxy, you have a missed call.
This shape means different things on different phones — check which maker’s line matches yours.
What each maker says
- iPhone (Apple) — Call forwarding. Call forwarding is set up, so calls to your number go on to another number. Apple points to its page on setting up call forwarding.
Source: Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29) - Samsung Galaxy — Missed call. You have one or more missed calls. Open the Phone app or the Notification panel to see who called and call back.
Source: Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- A telephone handset with a small arrow beside or above it. On an iPhone the arrow sits to the right of the handset and points right; on a Samsung Galaxy the arrow is bent and sits above the handset.
- Shown by
- iPhone (Apple), Samsung Galaxy
Telling it apart
Check which phone you have: on an iPhone this icon stays for as long as forwarding is on, even with no missed calls; on a Samsung it goes when you open the missed-call notification.
Icons to compare
Sources
Each meaning above is taken from the maker’s own support page, fetched and read on the date shown. The drawing is ours; the real icon on your phone may be drawn a little differently and can change with software updates.
- iPhone (Apple) — Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide). OS: iOS 27, the version the guide opened on; not dated on the page. Checked 2026-09-29.
- Samsung Galaxy — Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy. OS: One UI; some icons marked One UI 7; last updated 4 September 2026. Checked 2026-09-29.