Wi-Fi icon on an Apple Watch or Garmin: what does it mean?
On an Apple Watch the watch is on a known Wi-Fi network; on a Garmin it is the Wi-Fi status.
What each maker says
- Apple Watch — Connected to Wi-Fi. Apple Watch is connected to a known Wi-Fi network.
Source: Apple Support: Check the status of Apple Watch (Apple Watch User Guide) (checked 2026-09-29) - Garmin — Wi-Fi status. In the status bar during an activity it shows the Wi-Fi status: flashing while searching, solid when connected.
Source: Garmin Forerunner 265 Series Owner’s Manual: GPS Status and Status Icons (checked 2026-09-29)
- What it looks like
- Curved arcs spreading upwards from a dot, like a fan.
- Shown by
- Apple Watch, Garmin
- On a phone
- Wi-Fi fan (curved arcs above a dot) 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.
- Garmin — Garmin Forerunner 265 Series Owner’s Manual: GPS Status and Status Icons. Covers: Forerunner 265 series; the same page is in the Forerunner 165, 965 and 970 and fēnix 7 and 9 manuals; manual version 9, June 2025. Checked 2026-09-29.