Tip Sheet:
Learning About icons at the Top of Your Screen
Click or Tap on a Question to see the Answer
How do I know if I have an Android or Apple Smartphone?
If you have an iPhone, there will be an image of an apple at the back. The apple will look like this
If there is no image of an apple, you most likely have an Android phone.
iPhone Tips
How is the status bar on an iPhone different from the status bar on the Android smartphone?
The status bar on the iPhone will not show you notifications from installed apps. For example, if you receive a new email, you will not see a notification from the mail app in the status bar. Instead, you will typically only see status icons, like battery, wi-fi, location services etc.
Depending on the version of iPhone you have, the status bar will tell you when you are on a call or Facetime. If you are on a call, you will see a small green symbol with a white phone.
If you are on a Facetime, you will see a small green symbol with a white video camera.
What are some other pieces of information I might get from my iPhone’s status bar?
● Depending on the version of iPhone you have, you might see an orange dot, or a green dot.
● The orange dot appears in the status bar when you are using an app that is accessing your microphone. The green dot appears when you are using an app that is accessing your camera.
● These symbols appear to help protect your privacy.
Will the status bar change if my iPhone screen is locked?
When your screen is locked, you may notice an additional piece of information is present. You will see the name of your phone carrier. Examples of phone carriers are: Rogers, Koodo, Telus, Bell etc.
Where can I learn more about unfamiliar status icons on the iPhone?
● Click here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207354
● Click here: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/iphone/iphef7bb57dc/ios
How will I know if an app has a message or other important information for me?
Look for a small red circle in front of the app. This is called a badge.
In the example below, you can see the Messages app is telling you that you have 10 unread text messages.
Android Tips
What’s the difference between status icons and notification icons?
● Status icons tell you important information about your phone, such as battery, wi-fi, signal strength, location services etc.
● Notification icons appear when apps on your phone are trying to notify you of a new message, updates from the app etc.
Where can I learn more about unfamiliar status icons?
Click here: https://bit.ly/3L8kF14
Click here: https://www.nextpit.com/status-notification-icons-meaning
Can I choose the status icons that appear?
Some Android devices may give you this option. Click here to learn how to choose the status icons that will appear in the status bar:
Can I choose the app notifications I see?
● Yes, many devices will give you this option.
● To learn more click here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Uem4ivwOel8
● To learn more, you can also click here: https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-android-status-bar-icons-4774877
Tips for Coping when Feeling Nervous or Frustrated
I feel uncertain when I see symbols I don’t recognize.
That’s ok. Feeling uncertain doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Feeling uncertain is a sign that you need more information. There are many
resources online that you can use to learn more about new symbols. You might even try asking a trusted friend!
I feel nervous about even trying this new skill. What can I do?
● Don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying. Smartphones are generally designed
to withstand mistakes you might make, and will not break if you do make a mistake.
● If your screen does freeze while you’re trying to use your smartphone, you can restart your
device. To learn how to restart your iPhone, click here: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support (CA).
To learn how to restart an Android phone, click here: How to Force Restart an Android Phone
When It’s Not Responding (howtogeek.com) and scroll to the section “Perform a Hard
Reset/Reboot.”
● Remember, practicing is the best way to help your brain remember these new skills!
This process is frustrating. How can I handle frustration?
Frustration will make it harder to problem solve. To reduce frustration and increase problem solving,
follow the steps below.
• Step 1: Pause.
• Step 2: Name what you’re feeling without judgement. Be sure to use the phrase “I am
feeling______.”
• Step 3: Take a 5-minute break, or a little longer if needed. You have the option to do something
to help you feel calm, such as doing some gentle stretches, listening to music, or breathing
deeply until you feel calm.
• You can also check out: The Guide to Mindfulness for Better Learning and/or the guide on
Changing Unhelpful Thoughts for Success while Learning. You can access them here: MTML -