What the WiFi arrows really mean on your phone (and why it’s important)

You may have noticed that your WiFi has little arrows. Here’s a quick guide

You probably look at the top of your mobile screen many times per day if you own one. Often, it is to check the battery. Sometimes you’re looking for a new message. Sometimes you’ll see two tiny arrows near the WiFi icon, which flicker away while you scroll and chat.

If you have ever wondered: “What do those arrows really mean?You are not alone. There are a lot of people who ask about these things, and it’s surprising how helpful the answer is. We’ll explain everything in plain English so you won’t have to guess anymore.

Understanding WiFi and Data Icons on Your Mobile

The status bar on your phone is a codebook that tells you what’s going on under the hood. The WiFi symbol tells you you’re connected, the bars show your signal, and there’s probably a jumble of other icons popping up from time to time—Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, maybe even a tiny airplane if you’re travelling. What about the arrows, though? The arrows are where it gets interesting.

Those arrows beside the WiFi signal on Android phones aren’t merely decorative. These arrows are a clever method for your phone’s to tell you what’s happening with your data right now. If you see the upward-pointing arrow light up, then your phone is uploading. You might be sending a picture to a friend on WhatsApp, saving video to Google Drive or uploading a picture to Instagram. Your phone is telling you, “I am sending stuff into the world.”

On the other hand, when the downward arrow flashes, your phone’s busy downloading—whether it’s loading up a website, streaming the latest episode of your favourite show, or fetching emails in the background. Congratulations if you see the two arrows moving at the same moment. Your phone is sending and receiving data at once.

It’s not just WiFi. Similar arrows will appear when using mobile data and even Bluetooth, if you are moving files. The arrows on your screen are a window to what’s happening with your phone in real-time.

WiFi and data arrows: Variations according to Phone brands

Things can be a little complicated here. Huawei for example, has their own system. In certain Huawei phones, the arrows indicate that the phone is simultaneously using WiFi and mobile data.
Why does this happen? Some apps are addicted to speed and reliability. Your phone may also use mobile data if your WiFi signal is weak to ensure that Netflix doesn’t buffer during the best part of the episode. What’s the result? The result?

You can always check the online help or user manual of your particular model if you have any questions about a certain symbol. It’s not always the same as Android.

What other icons do the status bar symbols mean?

While we’re here, let’s crack a few more common symbols you might spot up top—because who hasn’t stared at their screen and wondered?

• Phone with upward arrow. You are in the middle a phone call.
• Phone with downward arrow alert: missed call!
• You’re no longer connected to the internet (no texts, no calls).
• Little clock: You’ve set an alarm or timer—hope you’re not late!
• It’s usually because you don’t have a SIM card or signal.

Once you know what the icons on your phone are trying to communicate, they start to make sense.

Do you need to be concerned about the arrows in your path?

Not at all! They’re actually a great way to know at a quick glance how your phone is doing. You can check the arrows if you feel that things aren’t moving fast online or if you don’t know if you have uploaded something.
And if you notice both your mobile data and WiFi are on at once, especially if you’re using a Huawei, you might want to check your settings—just in case you’re burning through your data plan without realising.

The next time those arrows disappear, you will know what is happening. Take pride in knowing the secret code of your status bar. If anyone else is confused, you now have the answer.