What Does the Bell Icon Mean on Various Apps and Devices

You have seen the bell icon in apps like YouTube, Instagram, etc., and even in gadgets like Apple Watch. These bell icons have a different meaning in each app. Surprised? Yup. Let’s take a look.

List of Apps/Devices and What the Bell Icon Means

Notification Bell on YouTube

The bell icon on YouTube lets you enable notifications from the channel. That means you will receive a notification whenever the channel shares a new video.

There are three types of notification settings that you will see after clicking on the bell icon on YouTube:

• All: Select this if you want to receive a notification for every new video or update.
• Personalized: This is selected by default and YouTube will send custom notifications.
• None: Use this to turn off the notifications from the channel.

Notes:

• The bell icon will show up only if you are subscribed to the channel.
• The bell icon will have a slash on it for Kids Channels as Kids Channels do not send notifications.

Instagram Bell Icon Meaning

The bell icon on Instagram also represents notifications. It allows you to get notifications whenever the Instagram profile posts any new content.

You can separately turn notifications on for the following things:

• Posts
• Stories
• Reels
• Broadcast channels
• Live

For instance, if you enable notifications for Posts, you will receive a pop-up notification every time the selected user uploads a new post. But you will not receive a notification for their stories, reels, etc.  

Bell Icon in Instagram Messages, WhatsApp, Facebook Messager, and Messages Apps

The bell icon with a slash or bar on message thread in Instagram DMs, WhatsApp chats, FB Messenger, or Messages app on Android and iPhone indicates that the chat thread is silenced aka notifications are turned off. As expected, you will not receive notifications for new messages from the muted chat.

Note: A bell icon with a line doesn’t mean you are blocked.

Here’s how to unmute:

• Remove Bell Icon on Instagram: Long-press the chat thread where you see the bell icon and select Unmute messages or Unmute calls.
• Remove Bell Icon on WhatsApp: Open the chat, tap on the contact name at the top, and turn off the toggle next to Mute Notifications.
• Remove Bell Icon on Messages App (iPhone): Press and hold the muted chat thread in the chat list and select Show alerts from the menu.
• Remove Bell Icon on Messages App (Samsung): Long-press the chat thread in the conversation list and tap the Notifications button.
• Remove Bell Icon on Facebook Messenger: Long-press the chat and select Unmute from the menu.

Twitter (X) Bell Icon With + Meaning

Just like YouTube and Instagram, the bell icon on Twitter (X) will enable notifications from the user and you will be notified whenever they post something on Twitter. You can enable the following notifications for a profile:

• All Posts
• All Posts including replies
• Only live video
• Off

Know the meaning of other icons on Twitter using our Twitter Icons list.

Bell Icon on LinkedIn

The bell icon on LinkedIn represents notification updates. When enabled, you will receive notifications from the user whenever they post something on their LinkedIn profile. The bell icon will turn black when enabled.

Apple Watch Bell Icon

The bell icon in the Control Center of the Apple Watch represents Silent Mode. Tap on it once to enable Silent mode on the watch. The icon will turn red and the watch will not make a sound or vibrate when you receive new notifications

FAQs

1. Will the person be notified if you mute or turn on notifications for them?

No, the other person will not be notified.

2. Why do YouTubers ask for a bell icon?

It’s because if you enable the channel notifications, you will receive a notification immediately once the creator adds a new video. You will watch the video which increases the pageviews of the YouTube channel.