Arrow icon at the top of an Apple Watch: what does it mean?
On an Apple Watch it means an app is using Location Services.
What Apple says
- Apple Watch — Location Services. An app on Apple Watch is using location services.
Source: Apple Support: Check the status of Apple Watch (Apple Watch User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- An outline arrowhead pointing up and to the right, like a compass needle.
- Shown by
- Apple Watch
- On a phone
- Arrow pointing up and right at the top of a phone screen — what it means on an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Pixel.
Icons to compare
Sources
Each meaning above is taken from the watch maker’s own guide, fetched and read on the date shown. The drawing is ours; the real icon on your watch may be drawn a little differently and can change with software updates.
- Apple Watch — Apple Support: Check the status of Apple Watch (Apple Watch User Guide). Covers: watchOS 27, the version the guide opened on; not dated on the page. Checked 2026-09-29.