X (Twitter) Symbols & Icons: Their Meanings & How to Use Them

If you’ve ever used the X (formerly Twitter) mobile app, you’ve probably seen a bunch of symbols and icons that might leave you wondering, “What do these mean?” Well, we’re here to help you decode them.

These symbols and icons are like your guidebook to using X on your phone. They help you do things like checking your feed, sending messages, and liking tweets. Understanding what these little symbols and icons mean will make your X experience a whole lot smoother and more enjoyable. So, let’s dive into the world of X’s symbols and icons and find out what they’re all about.

This photo shows a person is holding a smartphone and opening the X (Twitter) mobile app. Numerous X's symbols and icons are floating around the smartphone.
The Symbols and Icons on X (Twitter): What Do They Mean? [Image by Freepik]

Meanings of Symbols and Icons on The X’s Home Screen

The home screen of X is filled with various symbols and icons, each serving a specific purpose. Understanding the meanings behind these symbols can enhance your experience on the platform.

1. Profile Pic Icon

One of the symbols you’ll find on the home screen is the Profile Pic Icon. This icon represents your profile picture and is a way for other users to identify you. It’s important to choose a profile picture that reflects your personality or brand.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the home screen of X (Twitter). The profile pic icon is highlighted.

Pro Tip: Learn how to change your X (Twitter) username on both desktop and mobile.

2. The X Logo

Another symbol you’ll come across is the X Logo. This iconic symbol represents the X platform itself and is a quick way to navigate back to the home screen from any other section of the app.

This image shows the home screen of X (Twitter). The logo of X is highlighted.

3. “For you” Tab

The “For you” Tab is personalized to show you content that X thinks you’ll find interesting based on your activity and preferences.

This image shows the home screen of X (Twitter). The "For you" Tab is highlighted.

4. “Following” Tab

The “Following” Tab displays tweets from accounts that you follow, allowing you to easily keep up with the latest updates from your favorite users.

This image shows the home screen of X (Twitter). The "Following" Tab is highlighted.

5. Blue Button with a White + Sign

Finally, at the bottom-right of the screen, you’ll notice a blue button with a white plus sign. This button lets you create new tweets and spaces.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the home screen of X (Twitter). The Blue Button With a Plus Sign is highlighted.

When tapped, it opens a new screen with four new icons, which are:

This image shows how to navigate to a new screen by tapping the blue button with a "+" sign. A new screen with four new icons appears.
  • Spaces Icon

The Spaces Icon, represented by a small microphone with a “+” sign, is a relatively new feature on X that’s all about audio conversations. The Spaces Icon is like a doorway to live audio rooms. When you tap on this icon, you’ll enter a Space, which is essentially a virtual room where people are talking or hosting discussions in real-time.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows one of the screens on X (Twitter). The Spaces Icon is highlighted.
  • Photos Icon

Use the Photos Icon to add pictures from your gallery to your X.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows one of the screens on X (Twitter). The Photos Icon is highlighted.
  • Gif Icon

The GIF Icon lets you search for GIFs to use in your tweets.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows one of the screens on X (Twitter). The Gif Icon is highlighted.
  • Post/Tweet Icon

The Post/Tweet Icon, represented by a feathered pen with a “+” sign, is where you can create and post your tweets.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows one of the screens on X (Twitter). The Post/Tweet Icon is highlighted.

Meanings of Symbols and Icons on The X’s Navigation Bar

The navigation bar on X’s platform is home to several symbols and icons that serve different purposes.

1. Home Icon

The Home Icon is represented by a house-shaped symbol and serves as the gateway to the user’s personalized feed. Tapping on this icon takes users back to the main screen where they can view the latest posts and updates from the accounts they follow.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the X (Twitter) navigation bar with the Home Icon highlighted.

2. Magnifying Glass Icon

Next, we have the “Magnifying Glass Icon,” which represents the search function on X. By tapping on this icon, users can explore and discover new content, accounts, and trending topics. It allows users to expand their interests and find accounts that align with their preferences.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the X (Twitter) navigation bar with the Magnifying Glass Icon highlighted.

3. 2-Persons Icon

The 2-Persons Icon on the X navigation bar has been updated to represent the “Community” icon. It now displays the communities you follow and suggests new ones for you to explore. This icon provides a gateway to your X communities, making it easier to engage with and discover like-minded individuals and topics on the platform.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the X (Twitter) navigation bar with the 2-Persons Icon highlighted.

4. Bell Icon

The Bell Icon represents the notifications feature. Tapping on this icon displays a list of recent activities, such as new followers, likes, mentions, and replies. It helps users stay updated on their interactions and engagement on the platform.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the X (Twitter) navigation bar with the Bell Icon highlighted.

5. Envelope Icon

Lastly, we have the Envelope Icon, which signifies the direct message notifications. Tapping on this icon shows a list of unread messages and alerts users to new messages received.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows the X (Twitter) navigation bar with the Envelope Icon highlighted.

Meanings of Symbols and Icons on an X’s Post

When it comes to tweeting on X, there are several symbols and icons that users encounter. Each of these symbols serves a specific purpose and understanding their meanings can enhance the tweeting experience.

1. Reply Icon

The Reply Icon is represented by a speech bubble. The number beside this icon indicates how many replies/comments made to the particular post/tweet. Tapping on this icon allows users to respond directly to a tweet, initiating a conversation or adding their thoughts to the discussion.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows an X's post/tweet. The Reply Icon is highlighted.

2. Retweet Icon

Next, we have the Retweet Icon, which resembles 2-Arrows in a Square Shaped Loop. The number beside this icon indicates how many times the post/tweet has been retweeted. This icon signifies the ability to share a tweet with your followers. It’s like saying, “Hey, check this out!” When you retweet a post, it appears on your own timeline, spreading the word even further.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows an X's post/tweet. The Retweet Icon is highlighted.

3. Heart Icon

The Heart Icon is all about showing your appreciation for a tweet. When you tap it, you’re “liking” the tweet, which is a way of saying you enjoyed it or agree with what’s being said. It’s like giving a virtual thumbs-up. The number beside this icon indicates how many “Likes” the post/tweet has garnered.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows an X's post/tweet. The Heart Icon is highlighted.

4. Number of Views Symbol

This symbol represents the total number of views that this particular post/tweet has garnered. The number beside this symbol indicates how many times the post/tweet has been viewed.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows an X's post/tweet. The Number of Views Symbol is highlighted.

5. Share Icon

The Share Icon, which resembles 3-Dots with lines joining them on Android phones, or a box with an upward arrow on iPhones. This icon enables users to share a tweet outside of X, whether it’s through other social media platforms or messaging apps. It provides the option to spread the tweet’s content beyond the X platform.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows an X's post/tweet. The Share Icon is highlighted.

6. Three-Vertical Dots Menu (More Options)

This icon often hides extra options. When you tap it, you can access actions like reporting a tweet for any violations or muting a user to hide their tweets from your timeline. It’s your control center for managing content.

The meanings of X's (Twitter) symbols and icons: This image shows an X's post/tweet. The 3-Vertical Dots Symbol is highlighted.

Wrap Up

Understanding the meanings of all the X’s (Twitter) symbols and icons is like mastering the language of the platform. It empowers you to navigate, connect, and engage with ease. So, explore, experiment, and make X your own. Happy tweeting!

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