Bumble Icons & Symbols: Full Meaning Guide
This guide explains every icon and symbol you see in the Bumble app, from the profile editing icons to the match screen controls. You’ll learn what each button does, where it appears, and how to use it correctly, so you never tap the wrong thing again.
Profile Editing Icons
When you tap the profile icon (a person silhouette) in the bottom left corner, you enter your profile screen. Here, the icons are:
- Pencil icon: Tap to edit your profile details (name, age, job, education, and bio).
- Camera icon: Tap to add or change photos. You can also connect your Instagram or import photos from Facebook.
- Music note icon: Tap to add a “My Playlist� song that others can see on your profile.
- Badge icons: These are the small colored squares next to your name—they show your verified status (blue check), your star sign, and your lifestyle tags (like “Exercise� or “Drinking�). Tap them to edit.
- Gear icon: In the top right of the profile screen, this opens the Settings menu.
Each icon has a label when you tap it, but the icons themselves are the quick visual shorthand for these actions.
Main Swiping Screen Icons
The main screen where you swipe through profiles has a row of buttons at the bottom. From left to right:
- Rewind (circular arrow): Tap to undo your last swipe. This is a paid feature (Bumble Premium).
- Decline (X): Tap to pass on the profile. This is the same as swiping left.
- SuperSwipe (star): Tap to send a SuperSwipe, which tells the person you’re especially interested. This uses a SuperSwipe credit (paid).
- Like (heart): Tap to like the profile. This is the same as swiping right.
- Spotlight (lightning bolt): Tap to use a Spotlight, which boosts your profile’s visibility for 30 minutes. This is a paid feature.
These five icons are the core of the swiping experience. The order is always the same, so you can memorize it quickly.
Match Screen Icons
When you match with someone, you see a new screen with a few key icons:
- Chat bubble: Tap to open the conversation and start messaging.
- Video call icon: Tap to start a video call with your match. This is available on Bumble’s in-app video chat.
- Voice note icon: Tap to send a voice note in the chat.
- Camera icon in chat: Tap to send a photo or GIF.
- Three-dot menu: Tap to access options like “Report� or “Unmatch.�
These icons are straightforward, but note that the video call icon only appears after you’ve matched and the chat is open.
Settings and Filter Icons
In the Settings menu (gear icon), you’ll find several icons that control your search preferences:
- Sliders icon: This is the filter icon. Tap it to set your preferred age range, distance, and other criteria.
- Lock icon: This is the “Incognito Mode� toggle. When enabled, only people you swipe right on will see you.
- Bell icon: Tap to manage your notification preferences.
- Shield icon: This is the “Safety & Privacy� hub. It includes tools like photo verification and blocking.
Note that some filters (like “Height� or “Advanced Filters�) are only available with Bumble Premium.
Notification and Badge Icons
On the top of the main screen, you’ll see small icons that indicate notifications:
- Red dot with number: This appears on the chat icon (bottom right) when you have new messages. The number shows how many unread chats you have.
- Yellow dot: This appears on the profile icon when you have a new match or a profile prompt.
- Blue dot: This appears on the settings gear when there’s a new feature or update.
These badges are purely informational—they disappear once you tap the icon and check the content.
Bumble Premium and Paid Feature Icons
If you subscribe to Bumble Premium or Boost, you’ll see additional icons:
- Beehive icon: This is the Bumble Premium logo, which appears on your profile to show you’re a subscriber.
- Unlimited swipes icon: A circle with a checkmark appears when you have unlimited swipes active.
- Beeline icon: This is a heart with a lock, showing you who has already liked you (a Premium feature).
- Travel icon: A plane icon lets you set your location to another city (Premium).
These icons are usually labeled in the app, but they’re worth knowing if you see them on your screen and aren’t sure what they mean.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the lightning bolt icon is for “super likes� like on other apps. In Bumble, the lightning bolt is specifically for Spotlight, not SuperSwipe. The SuperSwipe is the star icon. Another misconception is that the rewind icon is free—it’s not. It’s a paid feature, and you only get a limited number of rewinds if you have a subscription. Also, the video call icon is not available on every match; it only appears if both users have the feature enabled in their settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the blue checkmark mean on Bumble?
The blue checkmark means your profile has been photo-verified. This is a safety feature that proves you are who you say you are, and it helps build trust with potential matches.
How do I use the rewind icon?
Tap the circular arrow icon on the main screen to undo your last swipe. You can only do this if you have Bumble Premium or Boost. Without a subscription, the icon is grayed out and you can’t use it.
What is the difference between the star and the lightning bolt?
The star is SuperSwipe, which tells someone you’re really interested. The lightning bolt is Spotlight, which boosts your profile’s visibility for 30 minutes. Both are paid features, but they serve different purposes.
Can I turn off the video call icon?
Yes, you can. Go to Settings, then “Privacy,� and toggle off “Video Chat.� This will hide the video call icon from your matches.
Why do I see a small bee icon on my profile?
The bee icon is the Bumble logo and appears when you have a Premium subscription. It’s a way to show other users that you’re a paying member, which can increase your visibility.
What does the lock icon on a profile mean?
The lock icon on a profile means that person has enabled Incognito Mode. This means they only appear in your swipes if you’ve already liked them, and your profile is hidden from them until you swipe right.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.