What’s the little “tape” symbol that appears to the left of the black bubble up top?

If this is an iPhone with what Apple calls Dynamic Island, an active app can show icons in that area.

You can usually tap and hold, or can left swipe, to get more info as described here:

… View Live Activities in the Dynamic Island on iPhone - Apple Support

Robsgotit1 wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/436a0d37-0bfa-42fa-8332-e34b44ff8198

It showed up again today.

Voicemail. Tap on it and it should open to it.

Robsgotit1 wrote:

It showed up again today.

Tap on it. (You should end up in voicemail.)

Voicemail

Robsgotit1 wrote:

Most times when I tap it it just goes away. Occasionally it will begin to call a random number of a missed call. But most importantly there’s never a new voicemail. If I do have a new voicemail it will show up on the red bubble over my phone app

Here are the gestures:

Not sure what you are referring to. Can you post a screen shot?