No phone emoji 📵
The no phone emoji 📵 shows a mobile phone with a red slash through it. It tells people to put their phones away or that phones are not allowed here.
Published · Updated
What the no phone emoji means
The no phone emoji 📵 is a prohibition sign. It shows a mobile phone inside a red circle with a diagonal line through it, using the same visual language as a no smoking or no entry sign. The symbol is widely recognised.
People use it to mean “no mobile phones allowed”, “please turn off your phone”, or “do not disturb me by phone”. It can also signal that a space, such as a cinema, a meeting room, or a restaurant, expects phones to be put away.
You will often see this sign in quiet zones, exam halls, or places where privacy matters. In digital messages, the no phone emoji carries the same weight without needing extra words.
How people use 📵 in messages
In chats, the no phone emoji can be a request: “Dinner is family time 📵”. It can also be a statement about your own availability: “Going offline for the night 📵”. The symbol works because it is direct but still friendly.
Because the emoji is widely understood, it works well when you want to set a boundary without sounding harsh. A single character can replace a longer instruction about phone-free time. Here are some common ways people include it:
- In a group chat before a film or concert: “Phones away 📵”
- In a work message to signal a meeting: “No phones in the meeting room 📵”
- In a personal message to set a boundary: “I won’t answer calls after 9pm 📵”
- On a social media post about digital detox: “Weekend plan: no phone 📵”
Compare no mobile phones with similar emoji
| Emoji | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| no bicyclesU+1F6B3 | Bans bicycles instead of phones; same red circle and slash style. | |
| no smokingU+1F6AD | Used for smoke-free areas; shares the same red circle and slash style. | |
| no litteringU+1F6AF | Asks people not to drop rubbish; same red circle and slash style. | |
| no pedestriansU+1F6B7 | Keeps people out of an area; less specific than the phone ban but visually similar. | |
| no one under eighteenU+1F51E | Age restriction sign; same prohibition format but for a different rule. |
When to use the no phone emoji with other warnings
The no phone emoji belongs to a family of red warning symbols. It pairs naturally with the prohibited emoji or the no entry sign, which are both shown on that page. Use them together to emphasise a broad restriction.
If the rule is about another activity, choose the matching symbol. For example, the no smoking emoji bans cigarettes, the no pedestrians emoji keeps people out of a road or area, and the no littering emoji asks people not to drop rubbish. They all share the same red circle and slash design, so they look consistent when used side by side.
How to type and copy the no cell phone symbol
The no cell phone symbol is available on all standard emoji keyboards. On most phones you can find it by searching for “no mobile phones” or “phone” in the emoji picker. On desktop, you can use the emoji panel or copy it from this page.
Because it is a Unicode symbol, the 📵 character will paste correctly into messages, documents, and social media posts. If you need a text-only equivalent, the words “no phones” are clear enough, but the emoji adds a visual warning that is hard to miss.
The exact design may vary across platforms, but the meaning remains the same.
The no cell phone symbol in signage and design
The red circle with a diagonal line is a widely recognised convention for prohibition, used on traffic signs and building notices worldwide. The no phone emoji follows this convention, which makes it instantly recognisable even without any text.
In physical signage, you often see a smartphone icon with a slash, very similar to the emoji. The emoji version brings that visual into digital communication, so you can warn people in the same way you would with a printed sign.
Sometimes people prefer a text label, but the emoji is the easiest way to include the graphic in a chat or post. It keeps the message short and the meaning clear.
Questions people ask
What does the no phone emoji mean?
It means phones are not allowed, should be turned off, or that the sender cannot be reached by phone. The red circle and slash is a widely recognised prohibition sign.
How do I type the no cell phone symbol?
Open your emoji keyboard and search for “no mobile phones” or “phone”.
Is the no phone emoji the same as the no entry emoji?
No, they are different. The no phone emoji specifically targets mobile phones, while the no entry emoji blocks all traffic from a road or area. See the prohibited emoji page for the no entry sign.
When should I use the no phone emoji?
Use it when you want to tell someone to put their phone away, ask for quiet time, or remind a group that phones are not allowed in a certain place. It works well in both personal and professional messages.
Can I use the no phone emoji in a professional message?
Yes, it is clear and polite. It works well in meeting invitations or reminders: “Reminder: no phones during the presentation 📵”.
About this guide
Written and maintained by the Emoji Directory editorial team, without ads or sponsorship. Meanings describe how the emoji is commonly used in public posts and messages, not an official definition. Names, code points, versions, keywords and translations come from the Unicode Emoji 18.0 and CLDR data; shortcodes from the gemoji project. Last reviewed . Spotted a mistake or a new usage? Tell us, or read how the directory is made.