White oval in lock screen taskbar

Question

White oval in lock screen taskbar

recently my iPad air, running iOS 12.1 began displaying a white circle/oval in the task bar, but only in the lock screen. I have searched high and low, but found nothing mentioning it. Pressing all buttons I could think of, aircraft mode makes it go away, but disabling it again sees the circle return. I’ve never had this issue before, and have owned the iPad since new, about 4 years ago.eboot did nothing, as that was first thought...

Any thoughts?

iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular, iOS 12.1

Posted on Nov 19, 2018 8:26 PM

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Answer 1

LotusPilot

Level 10

302,126 points

Nov 24, 2018 5:24 PM in response to axemangraphics

This is just one of the many bugs introduced within iOS 12,12.0.1 and 12.1. The “blob icon” seems to be triggered randomly where an inactive SIM is present in the SIM tray - although some reports have been noted suggesting that the “blob” can be triggered in other circumstances.

The blob appears in place of the cellular signal-strength icon - activating Airplane mode, as you observe, can supress the blob.

Here is one of the many discussions that describe the issue:

Weird icon on lockscreen

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

272,622 points

Nov 19, 2018 9:14 PM in response to axemangraphics

Might it be the home button - set through Settings > General > Accessibility > Assistive Touch?

Use AssistiveTouch on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Ferd II

Level 10

104,871 points

Nov 19, 2018 8:33 PM in response to axemangraphics

axemangraphics wrote:

Any thoughts?

I experienced that anomaly once...just did a force restart, and have not seen it since.

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Answer 4

sberman

Level 10

272,622 points

Nov 24, 2018 5:07 PM in response to axemangraphics

romeomarysierra’s response increases my suspicion of the tie between the oval and “No SIM”. I think he would normally see cellular signal strength there.

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Answer 5

sberman

Level 10

272,622 points

Nov 19, 2018 8:30 PM in response to axemangraphics

I admit I'm not familiar with this particular symbol. But I've also not seen an iPad operate with the "No SIM" situation yours is using. I strongly suspect the two are related.

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Answer 6

sberman

Level 10

272,622 points

Nov 24, 2018 3:21 PM in response to axemangraphics

I'm stumped. Maybe a Restore would help ... though I don't really think so. But I don't know the cause, so maybe ...

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

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Answer 7

Nov 19, 2018 9:01 PM in response to sberman

Thanks for the swift reply

I’ve never had a sim in it though. It’s always been a wifi workhorse. 12.1 was installed the day it was released, but this only showed up in the past week or so...

If they are related, it’s something new, as there is no mention anywhere, including here. I thought it was a display glitch, hence the reboot...

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Answer 8

Nov 21, 2018 12:35 AM in response to axemangraphics

I have noticed, if I open the control panel, then close it, there is a split second when the white oval is not there, but then the battery, wifi and the dots enlarge slightly, and the oval appears. I have checked all accessibility features, and cannot see anything that would zoom that area though, and all are off anyway...

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Answer 9

Nov 24, 2018 4:48 PM in response to sberman

This exact same symbol showed up on my iPad a few days ago. I have ‘No service’ showing at the top left (after I got a new SIM for my iPad), so it’s interesting that it could be related to that, sberman. It’s kinda annoying not knowing why it’s there!

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Answer 10

Nov 19, 2018 9:05 PM in response to Ferd II

Tried a restart and a hard reboot. Both did not help. That was my first thought though. It’s just strange, as most icons are descriptive, but this is just weird!

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Answer 11

Nov 19, 2018 10:23 PM in response to sberman

Checked, but this option is not enabled. It’s also only on the lock screen, and clicking it does nothing. Very strange!

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Answer 12

Nov 20, 2018 2:52 PM in response to sberman

Nope, it doesn’t move or click

If I pull down the area I get the standard stuff, volume, brightness etc... nothing abnormal. If I unlock iPad, it goes away. Locking it brings it straight back though

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Answer 13

Nov 24, 2018 3:52 AM in response to sberman

Any ideas? Or have I stumped you? :)

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Answer 14

Nov 24, 2018 5:10 PM in response to romeomarysierra

I‘ve just figured out that if I turn on mobile data, the white oval disappears from the lock screen. Turn mobile data off, and the white oval reappears, so it’s related to that, but what the purpose of the white oval is, I have no idea as it seems to literally do nothing. I’ve never seen it before this last week, either, and I’ve frequently had my mobile data turned off.

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Answer 15

sberman

Level 10

272,622 points

Nov 20, 2018 1:56 PM in response to axemangraphics

That is very strange indeed.

Can you drag the thing to somewhere lower on the screen while the screen is locked?

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White oval in lock screen taskbar

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