Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge introduced some changes in icons and buttons. This page explains to you two of the most confusing new Galaxy S7 status icons you may find in the status bar: data saver status icon and performance mode notification icon.
Some Galaxy S7 status icons are carrier specific, for example, voLTE, WiFi calling. For these icons, they may be different in different phones.
But for data saver and performance mode status icons, they are identical in all Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge devices.
New Galaxy S7 status icons: Data saver icon
By default, after you apply the Android Nougat udpate for Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, data saver will be automatically turned on.
And therefore, you may notice the following icon in the right side of the status bar.
Data saver is a new feature in Android Nougat.
Prior to Android Nougat, there is an option called restrict background data in stock Android. Data saver in Android Nougat is a replacement for this option.
Compared to simply restricting background data, data saver uses some algorithms to decide how to save data usage without comprising the phone functions.
Data saver can prevent some apps from sending and receiving data in background.
For apps you are actively using, it may also reduce the frequency of data usage to save data.
You can turn off or turn on data saver in Settings —Connections-–Data usage–-Data saver in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.
After data saver is turned off, the data saver status icon will then disappear from the status bar.
New Galaxy S7 status icons: Performance mode icon
After applying Android Nougat udpate, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge is in optimized mode. You can manually adjust some settings to meet your needs.
For example, the default screen resolution was scaled down to 1080p in optimized mode. You can adjust the screen resolution to WQHD 1440p or HD 720p as explained in this guide.
To make your life easier, Samsung also introduced three pre-defined performance modes for gaming, entertainment and high performance.
So, you can switch to any of these 3 modes with one tap to get the optimized settings for each mode without fiddling around various settings.
When any of the 3 performance modes is activated, you will find the performance mode icon as shown below.
Please note performance mode icon is shown as notification icon. So, it is shown in the left side of the status bar.
At the same time, you can find the corresponding notification message in notification shade.
As explained in this guide, there are two ways to enable or disable any of the 3 performance modes:
- In Settings — Device maintenance —Performance mode.
- Using quick setting buttons.
Of course, there are a few other new Galaxy S7 status icons, and other icons and buttons. But most of them are self-explanatory, for example, blue light filter, private mode, smart view, phone visibility.
New Galaxy S7 status icons: power saving mode
Power saving mode is not new for Galaxy S7.
But in some regions, the power saving mode icon (battery with a recycle icon inside) is still new to many owners after updating Galaxy S7 to Android Nougat.
In previous versions of Android, when you enable the power saving mode (or battery saving mode), the icon will be shown in the left side of the status bar with a notification. The transparent status bar will be opaque. So, many owners know it is a special mode.
Now, in Android Nougat update, power saving mode will not show any notifications, the power saving mode icon (battery with a recycle icon inside) will be shown in the right side of the status bar. It will not change the status bar transparency either.
Actually, power saving mode is getting better in Android Nougat update. It can save considerable battery without affecting the usage of the phone.
You can enable or disable Galaxy S7 power saving mode in Settings — Device maintenance — Battery — Power saving mode. You have two levels of power saving to choose: mild and extreme.
For old icons, they were explained in this page.
Can you turn on or turn off these new Galaxy S7 status icons in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?
If you have any questions on any new Galaxy S7 status icons (or notification icons) in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, please let us know your questions or problems in the comment box below.
The community will try to help you.
You can get the official Samsung Galaxy S7 user manual (user guide) in your local language here, and Galaxy S7 edge user manual (user guide) in your local language here. Official user guide for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge with Android Nougat update can be found here.
For other guides on using Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, please check Galaxy S7 online manual page.
For detailed Galaxy S7 how-to guides, please check Galaxy S7 how-to guides page.
For Galaxy S7 camera guides, please check Galaxy S7 camera guide page.
If you have any questions on Android update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, please check Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge Android Nougat update guide.
Christina says
Just got the Samsung s7. When I swipe down from top to bottom to open up a new icon this key pad pops up.
simon says
Do you mean the keypad in lock screen? Some settings can only be changed after you unlock the phone.
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Caroline says
I have a symbol that appears over my vocal message number that is two circles linked with a line. It won’t go away and when I touch it, it calls my voice mail. The phone is a Samsung 7 Edge
simon says
That’s voicemail. It means you have one or more unread voice messages. You may check with your carrier on how to manage the voicemail box because it’s provided by your carrier. Each carrier may use slightly different configurations.
In Phone app, in the dialing pad, your can hold key 1 too access your voicemail.
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Carlos Z. says
Question regarding an unfamiliar icon located on top bar left corner of an Samsung galaxy s7. It appears to be a phone with either a timer or clock over the bottom right side of what appeared to be a phone.the clock or timer is smaller than the phone but this icon is getting to me because lol i have ocd and I’ve been breaking my head trying to find what it means. Could anyone one help i would greatly appreciate it.
simon says
You can take a screenshot and share it in our Facebook page so that others can see it.
For an icon in the left side, normally, there is usually a corresponding notification. Did you check notification panel?
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Kevin says
This update is a big problem , DO NOT USE THIS UPDATE ! !! It causes more problems than it Is worth , wish I never installed it.
simon says
After the update, you may try to back up the phone, then try a factory data reset,
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First_Light says
Every time I turn-on the Data Saver, it turns off my mobile hotspot and tethering or vise-versa.
Why is that so?
What should I do if I want them both turned on?
simon says
You should not turn on data saver in these scenarios. When you turn on mobile hotpot, data connection must be maintained. This conflicts with data saver.
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Mihai says
Hi ,i have on the top right corner a phone with 3 lines of signal (or something like this).Please help me, how can i disable this?
simon says
You can take a screenshot and share it in our Facebook page so that others can see the icon exactly. You may follow this guide to take screenshots in S7 https://gadgetguideonline.com/s7/how-to-take-screenshot-on-galaxy-s7-and-galaxy-s7-edge/
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Claudia says
I have the same problem – what does that icon mean?
simon says
Share the screenshot in our Facebook pageso that others can see what you are talking about.
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Silver says
What does the blue circle with a white reclining rabbit mean?
simon says
In the left side or right side of the status bar?
You can share a screenshot in our Facebook page so that others can see it.
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Mikaela L Cosper says
I have an icon between my alarm icon and Wi-Fi icon . It’s grey with a lightning bolt and download arrow. What does this icon mean/stand for
simon says
Download booster? You can share the screenshot in our Facebook page so that others can see it.
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Toni LS says
I seem to have a new symbol which looks like a phone with a wifi symbol is what it looks like. Can’t figure out what it is, I thought it was the speaker being on but the phone is not dialing
simon says
WiFi calling? You can share the screenshot in our Facebook page so that can see it.
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Alex says
Same problem.
It’s not wifi calling – I went into those settings, turned it on and off.
Still there.
simon says
You can share the screenshot in our Facebook so that others can see it.
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Anonymous says
its VoLTE calls. finnally solved it
matty mac says
I have a recycled battery looking symbol. pretty sure its power saving mode but none of you idiots who make these lists have it on there
simon says
It’s not new. Power saving mode has been there for long time. In Android Nougat update, it only adds one more level.
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ROBERT EUGENE ANTHONY says
Battery with recycle arrows means what?
simon says
Battery saver mode. You can disable battery saver mode in settings – device maintenance – battery.
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esfileexplorerapk says
very nice
Marilyn says
I now have new notification icon when i turn my mobile data off. Its an arrow pointing down, an arrow pointing up with a slash through them. It says “mobile data turned off”. The problem is that it doesn’t clear when you hit clear all and I can’t find another way to clear it without rebooting my phone. Also there doesn’t seem to be a way you can tell it to not notify you off the data off status.
simon says
take a screenshot and share it in our Facebook page so that others can see it and give useful suggestions.
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