Have you ever wondered: What does the arrow mean on iPhone? You may be aware that it relates to location tracking. But by understanding what the arrow icon means, you can manage location access for your apps. This way, you guarantee that your location information is only visible when you allow it to be.
If you see an arrow at the top of your screen to the right, it means that your phone is tracking your location. In other words, an app you’re using has initiated the Location Services feature on your phone to determine your location. For many, this poses a privacy and security concern. However, you have the power to enable and disable access to this information through the Settings app on your phone.
This article will discuss what these icons mean and how to change their settings.
What Does The Arrow Mean On iPhone?
An arrow next to the battery bar at the top of an iPhone screen indicates that an app is using the device’s Location Services.
This icon appears when an app requests access to your current location or when it is actively tracking your movement.
There are a few variations of this arrow, each with its own meaning. So, let’s take a closer look.
The Hollow Arrow
A hollow arrow means that an app is using your location but doesn’t have access to your precise location. The precise location is determined by GPS, cell towers, and Wi-Fi networks. Apps that have access to your precise location can provide you with more accurate information, like turn-by-turn directions.
The Solid Arrow
A solid arrow means that an app is using your location and has access to your precise location. In other words, the app knows your exact location at that moment.
The Purple Arrow
A purple arrow means an app operating in the background can access your location information. Background location tracking can be used to provide you with information even when the app is not open.
For example, a running app might track your location in the background to give you updates on your progress. Or an app might use your location to provide you with targeted ads.
The Grey Arrow
A grey arrow means that an app can access your location but is not currently using it.
For instance, an app might have access to your location to supply directions while you navigate from one destination to another. But it is not actively tracking your location until you ask for directions.
The White Arrow In A Blue Circle
The white arrow in a blue circle means that an app is actively using your location. For example, this icon will appear if you use the Maps app to obtain directions.
Manage Access To Location Services On An iPhone
You can turn off location services for all apps on your iPhone with the following steps. This will ensure that all the apps on your phone can no longer track your location.
- Launch your Settings app
- Tap on “Privacy”
- Select “Location Services”
- Toggle the switch to the right to “Location Services” to turn this feature on or off.
Within the Location Services section of your phone’s settings, you’ll also see a list of the apps on your phone. Here you can select individual apps and manage their access to your location information. And you can choose whether to allow access while the app is in use or only when it is open. Here’s how:
- Simply tap on the relevant app on the list
- Under “Allow Locations Access”, choose one of the following:
- Never
- Ask Next Time
- While Using the App
Conclusion
The arrow on your iPhone is associated with your Location Services. But as you can see, the meaning of the arrow can vary depending on the app and its settings. By understanding each variation, you can better regulate how individual apps access your location information.