topic Re: Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen in Mobile Apps & Services

Black dot appeared at top of screen

Driverbrown85 — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 08:43:36 GMT

hi I have small black dot that kept appearing then disappearing but now it's always there even when reseting to factory settings. I read it could be someone tracking my device. Is that true or does anyone know what is it? I have a samsung a21s.

Tia

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Richmar83 — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 09:40:51 GMT

It's the Notifications overflow indicator, nothing sinister.

By default then handsets show the icons of the 3 most recent notifications in the notification bar. If say you have 5 notifications then the first 3 followed by a ⚫️ to show there are further notifications which are not shown. Swiping down from the top will show all the pending notifications. When you clear the notifications to 3 or less then the dot will disappear.
If you look under settings-> Notifications -> Advanced -> Show notification icons then there's options in there to change it from 3 to 'all'.

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Members_kMPbKDm — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 22:34:32 GMT

I have this on mine and it is absolutely not what you have said. I have had my s22 for 2 days and this has appeared, and i have no notifications

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Roni — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 19:51:59 GMT

Thank you thank you! I have been so suspicious of this black dot ever since it showed up about 6 mos ago. Nobody could tell me what it was, and then I read this! So simple I feel silly, had to laugh at myself. Thank you!

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Lisa365 — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 18:05:55 GMT

I agree, it has nothing to do with notifications, and it is always on my screen. Please provide a legitimate explanation and how to remove it.

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

AntS — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:59:42 GMT

Hi guys,

As far as I can tell, Richmar83 is correct - at least as regards the OP's screenshot. It's the Notification overflow indicator.

Some screenshots from when I adjusted the options in my UK S10's Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Status bar > Show notification icons:

'3 most recent':

'All notifications':

'Number of notifications only':

'None':

That dot on the top left only appears for me when '3 most recent' is selected. (It's white in my case because I have my phone in Dark Mode.)

Try adjusting those options, and share if they have an effect on the dot or not for you.

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Holds333 — Tue, 23 May 2023 04:18:01 GMT

I don't know whats happened to mine but a black circle in the top centre of my Samsung s21 after a year has suddenly appeared. Nothing to do with notification setting I've tried everything. I'm finding it a bit unsettling and i can't find any answers. Can't even screenshot it as it doesn't show when I do.

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

AntS — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:12:13 GMT

Hi @Holds333 ,

In the Phone dialer dial *#0*# using the keypad. Should bring up a Test screen with various hardware test options. Does the black circle appear when you tap into the Red, Green, or Blue?

(Press the back button twice to exit the Test screen to get back to the dialer, and exit from there as normal. You can also test the touch screen through the Members app > Support > Phone diagnostics > Touch screen.)

Re: Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Holds333 — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:27:38 GMT

Hi, thanks for replying. I tried all three colours and it's still there. It's so strange.

Re: Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Holds333 — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:33:43 GMT

Hi. I've tried this and it's still there

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

AntS — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:54:13 GMT

@Holds333 , No worries.

You could try checking for any software updates (Settings > Software update; and also checking Galaxy Store and Play Store if there are any apps that need updating); or booting the device in Safe Mode to rule out any non-stock apps (https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-to-start-my-galaxy-device-in-safe-mode/ ); and after all that if the issue is still present a data backup and factory reset to rule out any software cause (https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/how-do-i-perform-factory-reset-on-my-mobile-device/ )

But I strongly suspect from the test result that it’s more a hardware issue and so would be best checked out by a Samsung Support Centre (you can get in touch with Support or book a repair if you're in the UK: https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/contact/#product-support or Ireland: https://www.samsung.com/ie/support/contact/#contactinfo )

Re: Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Holds333 — Tue, 23 May 2023 10:00:07 GMT

Ok thank you I will try that. But is there any chance My phone has been tapped or bugged or something. Its a crazy thought I know but ive never known anything like this. I'm even trying to act casual infront if my phone incase someone can see so they don't know haha.

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

AntS — Tue, 23 May 2023 11:38:33 GMT

@Holds333 , Haha! No worries. I'm going to say that it's highly unlikely to have been bugged - and any decent phone tapper wouldn't announce themselves with an obvious sign (unless they work for Frank Drebin's Police Squad...)

Doing a forum search, I came across this: https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-s21-series/black-dot-on-screen/m-p/4139180/highlight/true#M30086 from illEez regarding a 'simulate display with cutout' option in the Developer Mode options. I'm not sure if it'll apply for what you're describing, but might be worth a check to see if the 'simulate display with cutout' option in there has been set to anything but 'default'.

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Tuckerbites79 — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 15:07:36 GMT

If it's in the top center of the screen, then it's almost certainly your front facing camera. So wouldn't show in a screen shot since it's not on the page on the screen or the notification bar or whatever. I never even notice it until someone like you reminds me of it. Lol. Just be thankful you're not rocking an IPhone. You'd have a solid blacked out rectangle bout 1/3 width of top screen. I'm assuming you've figured out the answer to your question in this post but if not then.......

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Photo issues — Sat, 18 May 2024 00:48:20 GMT

this is my problem pics others share in group thread

Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Photo issues — Sat, 18 May 2024 00:49:03 GMT

tiny black dots on pics

Re: Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

madzenoth — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:20:00 GMT

Nope this is not it

Re: Re: Re: Black dot appeared at top of screen

Meepmoop — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:46:06 GMT

Mines isnt there on the test screens but still there when I go back to normal screen. It only appears when I'm typing!