How to Remove the Phone Symbol on an iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you noticed a mysterious phone symbol appearing at the top of your iPhone screen? Whether it’s a tiny phone icon, a handset with dots, or a T-shaped symbol next to the signal bar, it can be confusing — especially when you don’t know what it means or how to make it disappear.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to remove the phone symbol on an iPhone step by step, explain what each variation of the icon represents, and share practical tips to prevent it from showing up again.

Let’s dive right in.

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What Does the Phone Symbol on iPhone Mean?

Before removing it, it’s important to understand what the phone symbol actually means. The small icon isn’t a glitch — it usually indicates a phone-related feature or a call status that’s active on your device.

Here are the most common meanings of the phone symbol:

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Why Does the Phone Symbol Appear on My iPhone?

There are a few possible reasons you might see this icon:

1. You’re on an active call — The most obvious reason.

2. Call forwarding is turned on — Your calls are being sent to another number.

3. Wi-Fi Calling is active — You’re making or receiving calls over Wi-Fi instead of a cellular network.

4. Bluetooth device connected for calls — A headset or car system is managing calls.

5. VoIP app running — Apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Viber can trigger similar symbols.

6. Network glitch or software bug — Rare, but possible after iOS updates.

Knowing the reason helps you choose the right fix. So, let’s look at how to remove it.

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How to Remove the Phone Symbol on an iPhone (Step-by-Step)

Let’s go through several possible fixes — from the simplest to the more advanced ones — to remove the phone symbol from your iPhone screen.

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Step 1: Check if You’re on a Call

Sometimes the icon simply means there’s a call still running in the background.

To check:

1. Go to the Phone app.

2. Tap Recents or Active Call at the top.

3. If you see “Return to Call” or a green bar at the top of your screen, tap it to return and end the call.

Tip: If your iPhone is paired with another Apple device (like a Mac or iPad), the call might still be active on that device — end it there too.

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Step 2: Disable Call Forwarding

If you see a phone icon with an arrow or dots, it means Call Forwarding is enabled.

Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Scroll down and tap Phone.

3. Tap Call Forwarding.

4. Toggle Call Forwarding off.

✅ Once it’s disabled, the phone symbol should disappear immediately.

Pro Tip: Call Forwarding is often used for business or dual-device setups. If you never intentionally enabled it, a carrier setting or accidental tap may have done it for you.

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Step 3: Turn Off Wi-Fi Calling

If the symbol looks like a phone with a Wi-Fi indicator, it’s due to Wi-Fi Calling.

To disable Wi-Fi Calling:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap Phone.

3. Select Wi-Fi Calling.

4. Turn Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone to off.

This feature helps when cellular signals are weak, but it also keeps the phone symbol active.

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Step 4: Check for VoIP Apps Running in Background

Sometimes apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, or Viber can keep call services active — displaying a phone symbol even when not in use.

To fix this:

1. Swipe up from the bottom (or double-press the Home button on older iPhones).

2. View all open apps.

3. Swipe up on messaging or calling apps to close them completely.

Alternatively:

• Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh and disable it for these apps.

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Step 5: Disconnect Bluetooth Devices

If your iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth headset, speaker, or car, the phone icon may stay active while the Bluetooth call feature is on standby.

To disconnect:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.

2. Turn off Bluetooth, or tap the “i” icon next to your connected device and select Disconnect.

You can also swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the Bluetooth icon in Control Center.

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Step 6: Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart often clears status bar glitches, including the stuck phone symbol.

How to restart:

• For iPhones with Face ID:
  Hold the Side button + Volume Up/Down, then slide to power off.

• For older iPhones:
  Hold the Power button until the slider appears, then turn off.

Wait 30 seconds, then turn your iPhone back on.

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Step 7: Reset Network Settings

If none of the above methods work, the issue might stem from network configurations.

Reset them safely by following these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.

3. Select Reset → Reset Network Settings.

4. Enter your passcode if prompted.

This will remove Wi-Fi passwords and carrier settings but can fix persistent phone symbol issues.

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Step 8: Update Your iOS

Sometimes, the phone symbol may appear because of a software bug. Apple frequently releases updates to fix such issues.

To update your iPhone:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap General → Software Update.

3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

After updating, restart your phone — the symbol should be gone.

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Step 9: Check Carrier Settings

Your mobile carrier (like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile) may push updates that control call features.

Here’s how to check:

1. Go to Settings → General → About.

2. Wait a few seconds — if an update is available, a pop-up will appear.

3. Tap Update to install it.

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Step 10: Contact Apple Support or Your Carrier

If you’ve tried all steps and the phone symbol still won’t disappear, it may indicate a carrier issue or a hardware bug.

You can:

• Visit Apple Support.

• Or call your carrier’s customer service to confirm if call forwarding or VoLTE settings are enabled on their end.

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Common Variations of the Phone Symbol on iPhone

Here’s a quick breakdown of what different versions of the phone symbol mean and how to remove them:

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How to Prevent the Phone Symbol from Appearing Again

To keep the phone symbol from reappearing, here are a few preventive measures:

1. Avoid leaving calls on hold or minimized.

2. Turn off call forwarding when not needed.

3. Disable Wi-Fi Calling unless your signal is poor.

4. Close VoIP apps completely after use.

5. Restart your iPhone regularly to clear minor glitches.

6. Keep your iPhone updated with the latest iOS.

These small habits ensure your iPhone’s status bar stays clutter-free.

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Troubleshooting Table: Quick Fixes for Each Situation

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Advanced Tip: Use Control Center to Diagnose Quickly

If you’re unsure which setting is active:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner.

2. Check whether Wi-Fi Calling, Bluetooth, or Cellular Data icons are highlighted.

3. Toggle them one by one — when the phone symbol disappears, you’ve found the cause.

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Still Seeing the Phone Symbol? Try Airplane Mode Trick

A neat trick that often works:

1. Turn on Airplane Mode from Control Center.

2. Wait 10 seconds.

3. Turn it off again.

This resets all wireless connections and usually clears the stuck phone icon.

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Why Understanding Status Bar Symbols Matters

Your iPhone’s status bar isn’t just decorative — it’s full of useful system indicators. Misunderstanding these icons can cause confusion or even missed calls.

Knowing what the phone symbol means helps you:

• Identify active services draining your battery,

• Avoid unwanted call forwarding, and

• Keep your connection settings optimized.

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When to Visit an Apple Store

If the icon doesn’t go away even after software fixes, it could be a system glitch or carrier profile error that requires professional attention.

Visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider if:

• The phone symbol appears permanently, even in Safe Mode.

• You notice call connection issues or missing notifications.

• Your phone overheats or lags after call-related use.

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Conclusion: Remove the Phone Symbol on iPhone Easily

The phone symbol on your iPhone isn’t a mystery — it’s a signal that something related to calls or connectivity is active.

To recap:

• End ongoing calls or VoIP sessions.

• Turn off Call Forwarding and Wi-Fi Calling.

• Disconnect Bluetooth devices and restart your iPhone.

• Reset network settings if the issue persists.

With these steps, you’ll easily remove the symbol — and keep your iPhone’s status bar clean and organized.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• The phone symbol indicates active call features like call forwarding, Wi-Fi calling, or Bluetooth calls.

• Disable these features in Settings → Phone.

• Restart your iPhone or reset network settings if the icon persists.

• Always keep iOS updated to prevent recurring glitches.

• Understanding status icons helps manage battery, network, and call settings efficiently.

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🔍 FAQs About the Phone Symbol on iPhone

1. Why won’t the phone symbol go away on my iPhone?

Because a call-related feature like Call Forwarding or Wi-Fi Calling is still active. Check and disable them in Settings → Phone.

2. What does the phone symbol with dots mean?

That indicates Call Forwarding is enabled — your incoming calls are being redirected to another number.

3. How do I remove the Wi-Fi phone icon?

Go to Settings → Phone → Wi-Fi Calling and toggle it off.

4. Can I remove the phone symbol without disabling features?

Not directly — you’ll need to turn off the related function (like call forwarding or Wi-Fi calling) to remove it.

5. Will resetting network settings delete my data?

No. It only resets saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and carrier settings — your apps and photos stay safe.

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Now you know exactly how to remove the phone symbol on your iPhone — and why it appears in the first place.
Keep your device clean, updated, and optimized, and you’ll never have to worry about mysterious status icons again.