Circle of dots at the top of an Apple Watch: what does it mean?
On an Apple Watch it means there is wireless activity or a process running.
What Apple says
- Apple Watch — Wireless activity. There is wireless activity or an active process happening.
Source: Apple Support: Check the status of Apple Watch (Apple Watch User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- Small grey dots arranged in a ring, some lighter than others, as if spinning.
- Shown by
- Apple Watch
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.