Wi-Fi icon at the top of a phone: what does it mean?
The phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network; the fuller the fan, the stronger the Wi-Fi signal.
What each maker says
- iPhone (Apple) — Wi-Fi. iPhone is connected to the internet over a Wi-Fi network.
Source: Apple Support: Learn the meaning of iPhone status icons (iPhone User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29) - Samsung Galaxy — Connected to Wi-Fi. The phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network and can reach the internet through it. Samsung’s icon can carry two small arrows (up and down) at its side.
Source: Samsung Canada support: Identify and understand the icons displayed in the top right corner of your Samsung Galaxy (checked 2026-09-29) - Google Pixel and Android — Wi-Fi. The network’s signal strength is shown on the Wi-Fi icon: a fuller icon means a stronger signal.
Source: Google Pixel Phone Help: Connect to Wi-Fi networks on your Pixel phone (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- A fan or wedge of curved arcs above a point, like radio waves spreading upwards.
- Shown by
- iPhone (Apple), Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and Android
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.
- Google Pixel and Android — Google Pixel Phone Help: Connect to Wi-Fi networks on your Pixel phone. OS: Pixel phones; OS version not stated; not dated on the page. Checked 2026-09-29.