The Apple Calendar app uses a variety of icons and symbols to convey information at a glance. Decoding these visual cues allows you to quickly understand event details, invitations, reminders and more. Let’s explore the meanings behind the key icons and symbols you’ll encounter in Apple Calendar.
Main Calendar View Icons
At the top of the main calendar screen, you’ll find several important icons:
View Options: This icon lets you switch between different calendar layouts like day, week, month and year views. The icon’s appearance changes based on your current view.
Search: Tapping the magnifying glass icon opens the search bar to find specific events or dates.
Add Event: The plus (+) icon allows you to quickly create a new event or reminder.
Calendar List Symbols
In the sidebar calendar list, you may see these symbols next to calendar names:
Checkbox: Indicates the calendar’s events are being displayed. Unchecking hides that calendar’s events.
Person icon: Shows that the calendar is shared with others.
Wi-Fi symbol: Denotes a subscription calendar that receives events published by someone else.
Exclamation triangle: Appears when there’s a problem connecting to the calendar’s server.
Number badge: Displays how many pending event notifications that calendar has.
Event Status Icons
These icons appear in the top-right corner of events in day and week views:
Person with question mark: Indicates you added invitees but haven’t sent invitations, or have mixed responses.
Person with checkmark: All invitees have accepted the event invitation.
Person with X: All invitees declined, or you declined an invitation you received.
Invitee Response Symbols
When viewing event details, you’ll see symbols next to invitee names:
Green checkmark: The invitee accepted the invitation.
Orange question mark: The invitee replied “Maybe” to the invitation.
Red X: The invitee declined the invitation.
Gray symbols: Show the invitee’s availability if they haven’t responded yet.
Month View Event Indicators
In month view, events use these visual cues:
Colored bar: Represents an all-day event. The bar’s color matches the event’s calendar color.
Colored dot: Indicates a timed event on that day. The dot’s color matches the calendar color.
Strikethrough: A line through the event name shows it’s been canceled.
Gift icon: Appears next to birthday events imported from your contacts.
Additional Calendar Icons
Red badge on app icon: Shows the number of pending notifications for invitations and calendar changes.
Notification bell: Appears in the toolbar to indicate new notifications.
Calendar icon: Distinguishes all-day events from timed events.
Red line: Moves through the day view to show the current time.
Video camera: Indicates the event has a linked video call (like FaceTime).
Location pin: Shows that a location is associated with the event.
Repeating arrows: Signifies a recurring event.
Using Calendar Symbols Effectively
Understanding these icons allows you to quickly grasp important event details:
Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the most common symbols, especially those for event status and invitee responses.
Step 2: Use color coding for your calendars to easily distinguish between work, personal, and other event types.
Step 3: Pay attention to notification badges on the Calendar app icon to stay on top of new invitations and changes.
Step 4: Leverage the month view indicators to get a quick overview of your schedule at a glance.
Step 5: When creating events, make use of features like location pins and video call links to add helpful context.
By mastering Apple Calendar’s visual language, you’ll be able to manage your schedule more efficiently and stay on top of your commitments with ease.