Users of mobile devices often encounter a situation when an incomprehensible symbol appears at the top of the screen, in status bar. One of these indicators is asterisk, which can cause confusion, especially if it appeared suddenly. This symbol is not a system error or a sign of a virus, but serves as an important visual marker of the status of your smartphone.
Depending on the device manufacturer, operating system version Android and installed applications, the meaning of this icon may vary dramatically. Most often, it signals that the mode is turned on, but in some interfaces it can indicate priority notifications. Understanding the context of the appearance of the icon will help you quickly regain control of the device. "Do not disturb", however in some interfaces it may indicate synchronization or priority notifications. Understanding the context in which the icon appears will help you quickly regain control of your device.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios for the appearance of an asterisk in various areas of the interface. You'll learn how to manage silent modes, set up exceptions for important calls, and why this symbol sometimes appears next to contact names.
Do Not Disturb mode and status bar
The most common reason for the star icon (often crossed out or in a circle) to appear in the top status bar is when Do Not mode is activated. "Do not disturb" (Do Not Disturb). In this mode, the system blocks sounds, vibration and visual pop-up notifications from most applications.
However, this mode does not mean complete isolation. You can set exceptionsto skip calls from favorite contacts or repeat calls. This is a critical feature for those who want a break from digital noise, but remain connected for emergencies.
To activate or deactivate this mode, you usually just need to swipe down to open quick settings panel and click on the appropriate icon. In some shells, for example MIUI or OneUI, the icon may look a little different, but the functionality remains the same.
- ⭐ An asterisk means complete silence for all notifications except allowed ones.
- 🔕 The crossed out bell often duplicates this status in older versions of Android.
- ⚙️ The mode settings are located in the "Sound and vibration" section.
⚠️ Attention: If you have enabled the scheduled mode, the asterisk may appear automatically at a certain time of the day, even if you do not pressed the button manually. Check your auto-on settings to avoid missed calls in the morning.
Star in the contact list and call log
If you notice the star symbol not in the status bar, but directly in the application "Phone" or "Contacts", its meaning is completely different. In this context, the icon indicates that the subscriber has been added to the list "Favorites" (Favorites).
Adding a contact to favorites allows you not only to quickly find the right person, but also to bypass the restrictions of the silence mode. If the settings "Do not disturb" allow calls from favorites, then the contact with the star will be able to reach you even when the phone is silent.
Managing this status is intuitive: just open the contact card and click on the star icon. When pressed, it usually changes color (yellow or gold), confirming that the contact is pinned to the priority list. Removing from favorites returns the icon to an outline form or hides it.
It is important to distinguish between the system mode star and the custom contact label. The first affects the behavior of the entire device, the second - only a specific entry in the phone book.
Use the "Favorites" function for contacts of doctors, close relatives and colleagues, so that their calls can go through even at night when the silence mode is turned on.
Synchronization and update indicators
In rare cases, typical for specific versions Android or custom firmware, an asterisk can signal the process of synchronization data. This may concern your account Google, cloud storage or backup.
Also, a similar symbol sometimes appears when there are pending updates for system components or applications. Unlike Do Not Disturb mode, this icon is usually dynamic: it can rotate or blink, indicating an active data transfer process.
If the icon freezes and does not disappear for a long time, this may indicate a failure in the synchronization service. In this case, it is recommended to check your account settings and Internet connection.
| Indicator type | Location | Probable cause | User action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static star | Status bar (top) | Do not disturb mode | Disable in quick settings |
| Gold star | Contact list | Added to "Favorites" | No action (this is a label) |
| Rotating star | Status bar | Data synchronization | Wait for completion or check the network |
| Star with a plus | Notification settings | Priority application | Check permission settings |
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces from different manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel) may use unique icons. If the described options are not suitable, check the help of your device, since the design of elements may change with each firmware update.
Setting up priority notifications
Deep customization of notifications in Android allows you to mark certain applications as priority. In some interfaces, such applications are marked asterisk in the notification management menu. This means that their messages will be displayed on top of other windows and make a sound even in limited modes.
To configure this, you need to go to the Settings → Applications → Notificationssection. Here you can change the importance of the notification channel for a specific service, for example, a messenger or an email client.
Using priority notifications requires caution. If you star too many applications, the purpose of the silent mode is lost, and you will again start receiving constant distracting signals.
☑️ Checking notification settings
Specific icons in third-party launchers
If you are using a third-party launcher (desktop shell), for example Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, the appearance of an asterisk may be associated with the functions of the shell itself. They are often designated this way unread notifications in the style of "badges" (icons on application icons).
In the settings of such launchers, you can choose the style of displaying counters: numbers, circles, or those same stars. This is a purely cosmetic function that does not affect the operation of the system, but helps to visually navigate the flow of information.
To change the style of indicators, go to the launcher settings and find the section Notification icons or Notification Badges. There you can disable them altogether or change the form to a more familiar one.
Sometimes an asterisk appears as part of a weather widget or calendar installed on the desktop. Carefully inspect the screen: if the symbol is part of a large widget, it has nothing to do with the Android system settings.
Secret function of the star in contacts
In some versions of Android, long pressing on a contact with a star in the call log allows you to quickly send an SMS message, for example, "I'm busy, I'll call you back later."
Diagnostics and troubleshooting
There are situations when the asterisk icon “sticks” in the status bar and does not disappear even after a reboot or disabling modes. This may be a software glitch of the interface SystemUI.
The first step should always be a banal reboot device. This clears the RAM and restarts all system services, which in 90% of cases solves the problem of frozen icons.
If rebooting does not help, try clearing the system interface cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Show system processes → Android system interface and select "Clear cache".
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to reset temporary errors.
- 🧹 Clear the cache of the "System Interface" application.
- 🛡️ Check your phone with an antivirus for malicious overlays.
⚠️ Attention: Do not reset your phone to factory settings (Factory Reset) just because of one icon. This is a last resort and will delete all your data. Try soft diagnostic methods first.
In most cases, the asterisk is a useful indicator of quiet mode or a favorite contact, and not an error. Understanding its purpose helps you manage your smartphone more effectively.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the star not disappear after turning off the Do Not Disturb mode?
This may be a visual interface bug. Try turning the mode on again, wait 10 seconds and turn it off again. If it doesn’t help, reboot the device.
Is it possible to completely remove the star icon from the status bar?
The system indicator of the active mode cannot be removed using standard Android tools, since it informs the user about the status of the phone. Third-party applications can hide icons, but this requires superuser rights (Root).
What does the blinking star next to the battery icon mean?
In some models, this is an indicator that the phone is in power saving mode or is in the process of optimizing charge. Check your battery settings.
The asterisk appeared after updating Android, is this normal?
Yes, developers often change the design of icons during major system updates. Most likely, this is a new style of Do Not Disturb display or synchronization.
How to make it so that only one contact can get through with a star?
Add this contact to Favorites (click on the star in the contact card). Then, in the Do Not Disturb mode settings, allow calls only from “Favorite Contacts.”