Apple Watch symbols and icons can be confusing, but they are designed to help you navigate the device more easily.
Here is a comprehensive guide to the most common Apple Watch icons and symbols:
Apple Watch Symbols
Apple Watch Control Center Icons
The Control Center on the Apple Watch is a convenient location on the device where you can toggle various modes on or off. You can also see information about the remaining battery life, turn on the flashlight, and more.
To access the buttons on the Apple Watch’s Control Center, just swipe up from the bottom of the watch face.
The following are some of the most common Apple Watch icons you will see in the Control Center.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
 ` |
Apple Watch Charging |
 |
Wi-Fi Status |
 |
Battery Percentage |
 |
Theatre Mode |
 |
Do Not Disturb Mode |
 |
Airplane Mode |
 |
Find My iPhone |
 |
Silent Mode |
 |
Walkie Talkie |
 |
Flashlight |
 |
Water Lock Mode |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the red dot on Apple Watch mean?
The red dot at the top of your Apple Watch face indicates you have unread notifications. Swipe down from the top of the screen to view them. The dot disappears once you have viewed all notifications. You can disable this indicator in Settings > Notifications.
What does the green lightning bolt mean on Apple Watch?
The green lightning bolt icon indicates your Apple Watch is currently charging. When the battery is very low (below 10%), you may see a red lightning bolt instead. A green circle with a percentage shows the current charge level during charging.
What does the water drop icon mean on Apple Watch?
The water drop icon means Water Lock is enabled, which locks the screen to prevent accidental touches during water activities. It activates automatically during swimming workouts or can be turned on manually from Control Center. Turn the Digital Crown to unlock and eject water from the speaker.
What does the moon symbol mean on Apple Watch?
The crescent moon icon means Do Not Disturb is active. Notifications will be silenced and the screen won’t light up for alerts. You can toggle it from Control Center or set a schedule. When enabled alongside Focus modes, you may see different icons depending on your Focus settings.
What does the airplane icon mean on Apple Watch?
The orange airplane icon indicates Airplane Mode is enabled, which turns off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connections. This is useful during flights or when you want to disconnect. Toggle it from Control Center. Note that GPS still works in Airplane Mode for workout tracking.