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What Do Various Icons and Symbols Mean on WhatsApp

by Mehvish

While using WhatsApp, you might see certain icons whose meaning you don’t know. And you don’t want to take the risk of tapping on them without knowing what they do. Even though there is no symbol on WhatsApp that would pose any risk, it’s better to be familiar with the meaning of WhatsApp symbols and icons. Let’s check what do the various symbols and icons mean on WhatsApp home screen, chat, status, calls, delivery, and more.

List of WhatsApp Symbols and Icons

1. WhatsApp Home Screen Symbols Meaning

Floating Chat Bubble Icon (Android)

This icon is present on Android phones and it lets you start a new conversation thread. You will be taken to the screen where you can select a contact, create new contact or group.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Bubble Android

The QR code icon next to New contact lets you generate a QR code for your number and as well as scan QR codes. On iPhone, you will find the QR icon next to your name in Settings.

WhatsApp Icons QR Code

Pencil Icon (iPhone)

The Pencil icon at the top-right corner inside the Chats tab offers the same capabilities as the floating chat bubble icon on Android. That is, it lets you start a new thread, add new contacts, or create a new group.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Bubble iPhone

Camera Icon

The Camera icon at the top lets you capture a photo or video quickly that you can share with your friends or set as your WhatsApp status.

WhatsApp Camera Icon Top

Pin

If you see a pin icon next to the chats, it means the chat has been pinned to the top. It will stay atop even when you scroll.

WhatsApp Icons Pin

Loudspeaker With Bar

This icon indicates that you have muted the chat and you won’t receive notifications from it. To unmute a chat, touch and hold it and select Unmute (iPhone) or press the Speaker icon (Android).

WhatsApp Icons Mute

Green Checkmark Next to Name

If you see a green checkmark or tick icon next to a business name on WhatsApp, it is a verification badge, and it means that the business profile is verified by Meta who owns WhatsApp.

@ symbol

The @ symbol on the home screen means that someone has mentioned or tagged you in the chat.

Three-person icon (Android)

The three-person icon at the top-left corner of the WhatsApp Android app takes you to the WhatsApp community feature. Here you can create new communities and also see all the communities that you are part of.

Tip: Know the difference between WhatsApp communities and groups.

Loudspeaker Icon

Under each community, you will find one group with the loudspeaker icon. This is basically the announcement group where the participants from all groups that are part of a community are added automatically. You will find this group with the loudspeaker icon under your chats as well.

Two Hidden Circles Under Group Icon

If any of your group icons show two arcs or slightly hidden circles under the main icon, it means that the group is part of a community. Tap on the group icon to view the community name.

Tip: Know how to add a WhatsApp chat icon to the home screen on Android and iPhone.

2. Chat Thread Icons Meaning (Android)

When you long-press a chat on the chat list, you will see the following icons at the top.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Thread

Pin: This icon lets you pin a chat. When a chat is pinned, it will stay at the top of the chat thread even if new messages arrive in other chats. You can pin only 3 chats.

Trash: Use the Trash can icon to delete the chat thread.

Speaker with bar: This icon lets you mute the selected chat. And when a chat is muted, this icon will appear without the bar. Tap on it to unmute the chat.

Box with Down Arrow: Use this icon to archive a chat. Archive lets you hide chats without deleting them.

3. WhatsApp Status Symbols

On the Status screen, you will find the Pencil and Camera icons. On Android, these two icons are floating and present at the bottom-right corner whereas you will find them next to My status option on iPhone.

WhatsApp Icons Status

Pencil Icon

The Pencil icon lets you create a text-based status. You will find the following icons for text-based status:

WhatsApp Icons Status Text

Emoji (Android): Use this icon to add emojis to your status.

T: Tap on this icon to change the font style of your status.

Color palette: This icon helps in changing the background color of the status.

Paper Icon: Use this icon to publish/send the status.

Microphone Icon: Use this icon to record a voice note for your status.

Tip: Find out how to download WhatsApp status.

4. WhatsApp Camera Icons Meaning

The Camera icon lets you capture a photo or video that you can upload to your status from the status screen or send to a chat when you use it in a chat. The following icons will remain the same.

Crop

This icon lets you crop your image to the desired size. On the cropping screen, press the Rotate icon to rotate your image.

WhatsApp Icons Camera Crop and Rotate

Emoji/Sticker

The Emoji or Sticker icon lets you add emojis and stickers to your photo.

Tip: Learn how to react to WhatsApp messages with emoji reactions.

WhatsApp Icons Camera Sticker

Text

Use the T icon to add text to your image.

WhatsApp Icons Camera Text

Pencil

Press the pencil icon to go into drawing mode. Use your finger to draw on the image.

WhatsApp Icons Camera Draw

Gallery

The Gallery icon next to the Add a caption box lets you select more images that you can upload to your status in one go.

WhatsApp Icons Camera Gallery

(1)

The (1) icon will appear in the Add a caption box when you are sending a photo or video to some person. This icon lets you set the media file in View once mode, where the file will vanish automatically after the person sees it.

WhatsApp Icons Camera 1 view once

5. WhatsApp Call Tab Symbols

Under the Calls tab on the home screen, you have the following icons:

Phone Icon With Plus Sign

Use this icon to create a new audio or video call with the contact that you can select on the next screen. This icon is present as a floating bubble on Android and at the top-right corner on iPhone.

WhatsApp Icons Call

Tip: Know how to create and share WhatsApp call links.

Video Camera

The video camera icon next to the items in the call history indicates that it was a video call.

WhatsApp Icons Call Android

Phone

The phone icon means that the call was a regular audio call.

WhatsApp Icons Call iPhone

6. WhatsApp Video Call Screen Icons

When you are on a WhatsApp video call, you will be greeted by the following icons:

WhatsApp Icons Call Video

Camera

The camera with a refresh icon lets you switch the camera between front and rear.

Videocamera

Use this icon to turn the video on or off. When it has a bar over it, that means the video is off.

Microphone

The microphone icon lets you turn the microphone on or off.

Red Phone

Use the red phone icon to hang up or disconnect the call.  

Share Screen Icon

On the latest versions of WhatsApp, you will also find the screen sharing icon. Use this icon to share your phone’s screen with others.

Person With a Plus Sign

This icon lets you add more people to the ongoing call. Basically, it lets you create a group call.

WhatsApp Icons Call Video Add Participants

7. WhatsApp Audio Call Icons

The audio call screen has similar icons as that of video calls. The only difference is that you will see a speakerphone icon instead of the camera switch icon. Furthermore, the video icon lets you turn on video while you are in an audio call.

WhatsApp Icons Call Audio

8. WhatsApp Chat Symbols Meaning

Clock Symbol Next to Profile Picture

You will see a clock icon next to the contact or group’s picture when Disappearing messages are enabled for that chat. The Disappearing messages will vanish automatically after the set time.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Clock Disappearing messages

Audio and Video Call

Right next to the person’s name, you will find the camera and phone icons. Use the camera icon to start a video call with the person and the phone icon to initiate an audio call.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Video and Audio Call

Phone Icon With Plus Sign

For unsaved or business numbers, you will see a phone icon with a plus sign right next to their name. This icon lets you make an audio or video call. Tap on it to choose between audio or video call.

WhatsApp Icons Call Save Contact

Catalog

The house or shop icon appears for business profiles and it represents the catalog. Tap on it to view the products offered by the business.

WhatsApp Icons Catalog

Paper Clip Icon (Android)

The paper clip icon next to the typing area lets you attach and send a document, image, audio, location, or contact to the person.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Paper Clip

On iPhone, you will find these two options under the + icon.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Paper Clip iPhone

Payment Icon

The money icon lets you send money through WhatsApp in supported countries.

Camera

Use the camera icon to capture a new photo or video and send it.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Camera

Microphone

The microphone icon lets you send voice notes. Press and hold it to start recording. Release the finger to send the audio note. Slightly swipe your finger up towards the lock icon while recording to reveal more options.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Voice Note

Right Arrow

This icon appears next to the media files in a chat. Tap on it to forward the media to more WhatsApp contacts.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Right Arrow

Star Icon

The star icon means that you have bookmarked or favorited a message in order to access it quickly. To star or unstar a message, touch and hold it and press the Star icon.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Star

To view starred messages on Android, tap on the three-dot icon on the chat list screen and select Starred messages. On iPhone, open Settings > Starred messages.

Tip: Learn how to react to WhatsApp messages using emojis.

Double Arrow

When you receive a message with a double arrow icon on it, that means the message has been forwarded many times. You shouldn’t trust such messages blindly.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Double Arrow

9. WhatsApp Voice Note Icons

When you send voice notes, the tiny circle on the voice note slider will initially appear grey. It will turn blue when the other person listens to the voice note.

WhatsApp Icons Voice Note Sent

On the receiving end, the green dot on the voice note indicates that it hasn’t been played yet. When you play a voice note, the circle will turn blue.

WhatsApp Icons Voice Note Received

1x Symbol

The 1x symbol next to WhatsApp voice messages lets you increase their speed. Press on 1x to hear voice note in 1.5x or 2x speed.

WhatsApp Icons Voice Note Speed

10. Delivery Symbols Meaning

Here are the meanings of checkmarks on WhatsApp:

Single Grey Tick

A grey tick means that the message has been sent from your end but it’s yet to be delivered to the recipient.

Two Grey Ticks

It means the message has been delivered but it hasn’t been seen yet.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Delivery Ticks

Two Blue Ticks

The dreadful blue ticks mean that the message has been seen by the recipient.

Clock Symbol

The clock symbol next to your message indicates that the message hasn’t left your device. It could be due to a network issue on your phone.

WhatsApp Icons Chat Delivery Clock

Secure WhatsApp

I hope all your queries regarding WhatsApp symbols and icons meanings were covered in this post. Now that you have become a pro in using WhatsApp, learn about the important WhatsApp privacy settings to secure your WhatsApp.

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