Person icon in notification bar that quickly disappears

[Android Central Question]

I've been seeing an icon pop up in the notification bar of a man with ")))" to the right of it like it's supposed to be speaking or something. Trouble is, the icon only lasts 1-2 seconds and by the time I see it and swipe down to see what it is or what app it is from, it's gone. Anyone have an idea what this is?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Which phone? Does it appear on the right or left side of the status bar?

 

[bigtallguy18]

Welcome to Android Central! Which phone? Does it appear on the right or left side of the status bar?

S9 top left side

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry, I can't find anything like that on a cursory web search. How often does it appear? If it's fairly frequent, try taking a video of the screen and share the result.

 

[patdollaz]

I figured it out, it's google location sharing updating your location. So whoever you share your location with on Google is checking your location.

 

[B. Diddy]

Aha! Good detective work.

 

[christina72]

I have the same issue

 

[anon(10614692)]

I have the same issue

Didn't you read the answer in the thread?

 

[christina72]

I have the same problem and its not a location or calling of any kind either. anyone know?

 

[B. Diddy]

I have the same problem and its not a location or calling of any kind either. anyone know?

Welcome to Android Central! How do you know it's not a location update icon?

Show us a screenshot: http://forums.androidcentral.com/ge...ide-how-post-screenshots-android-central.html. It'd also help to know which phone you have.

 

[D Bheag]

Didn't you read the answer in the thread?

Except what if it’s not the answer in your particular situation? My wife and I have both noticed this icon appearing and disappearing quickly since upgrading from our S9 phones to the S20. We have location sharing enabled but never noticed this icon before in the 3 years of having the S9 and it also appears at completely random times when we are definitely not checking the other’s location (kind of pointless when you’re sitting side by side on the couch).

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Just so that we're on the same page, does it look exactly like the icon here? https://www.online-tech-tips.com/go...location-sharing-to-keep-track-of-loved-ones/

 

[samenwerking]

It has been bugging me too. I was worried if I might be hacked or something. But I guess it is okay and nothing to be worried about. Perhaps it is related to location sharing. If it is related to location sharing then because I've shared my location with other people(s) therefore it makes sense that this symbol is appearing on my device status bar. I hope it is the same reason in your case.

If you visit Google maps you will see this exact symbol besides "location sharing". I hope this helps.

I am attaching / adding a screenshot today to this post / answer. As you know that when you pull down the status bar you can see all the notifications in detail. So I took this screenshot immediately when I saw this icon in that pull down list.

 

[J Dubbs]

This reminds me I need to turn that feature off.... Google oh so politely turned it on automatically to try and make more money off of me. Their hunger for our data is unbelievable.

 

[ReggieJ]

I have a new Samsung what is the icon

 

[mustang7757]

I have a new Samsung what is the icon

Welcome to AC!
Anything in your pull down notification panel?

 

[ReggieJ]

I noticed it in a screen shot after I had cleared my pull down panel

 

[mustang7757]

Try in safe mode if it goes away

 

[B. Diddy]

I have a new Samsung what is the icon

Welcome to Android Central! It's Google Location Sharing, as discussed previously in this thread you're in.

See also this: https://allinfo.space/2020/08/21/use-google-location-sharing-to-keep-track-of-loved-ones/

 

[mustang7757]

Welcome to Android Central! It's Google Location Sharing, as discussed previously in this thread you're in.

See also this: https://allinfo.space/2020/08/21/use-google-location-sharing-to-keep-track-of-loved-ones/

Would have never guessed that lol.. good find