Apple Approves 'Notch Remover' App for iPhone X - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Approves 'Notch Remover' App for iPhone X

by

Apple appears to have made an exception to its rule that developers "embrace the notch" on the iPhone X, by approving an app called Notch Remover for the App Store.

Essentially, all the app does is add a black bar across the top of selected images that the user can then manually assign as a wallpaper in iOS Settings.

notch remover app 2 up
The result conceals the existence of the notch and the adjacent "ears" with what looks like a solid black status bar along the top of the lock screen and home screen.

The one-trick nature of the app is unlikely to have been overlooked by Apple and approved in error, suggesting that the company doesn't interpret its function as a violation of iPhone X developer guidelines.

Don't mask or call special attention to key display features. Don't attempt to hide the device's rounded corners, sensor housing, or indicator for accessing the Home screen by placing black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

The notch houses Apple's TrueDepth camera and Face ID technology, but it eats into the viewing area of the OLED display. Its existence has divided Apple fans, but many iPhone X owners say that they don't really notice it after a few days or even just a few hours with the device, after which it ceases to be an issue for them.

Still, if the notch just isn't your thing, Notch Remover offers to mitigate the screen intrusion for just $0.99, while Notcho does something similar.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

113 months ago
i like the notch and it looks full screen
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
113 months ago
Wow...it actually looks so much better without the notch....who knew?

(thats right...everyone)
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T'hain Esh Kelch Avatar
113 months ago
I actually prefer the notch view.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
113 months ago
Wow...it actually looks so much better without the notch....who knew?

(thats right...everyone)
Looks like a giant bezel at top. How's this look good again? lol
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnnyjibbs Avatar
113 months ago
Slow news day...

Personally I got really used to the notch really quickly and I find the iPhone X looks too old-fashioned when the notch is removed (as it looks like a 6/7/8, etc) and somehow restrictive

My wife has a new 8 Plus - amazing phone, but seems so last year...
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
113 months ago
I'm not a fan of the notch, but those screen shots seem to make it worse imo. Maybe I'm getting used to the notch
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
Apple AppleCare One Feature

'AppleCare One' is Now Even More Valuable

Saturday July 18, 2026 6:25 am PDT by
While the monthly and annual prices of AppleCare+ plans for Macs and iPads received a slight increase this week, AppleCare One continues to start at $19.99 per month in the U.S., making the multi-device plan even more valuable. Launched in July 2025, AppleCare One allows you to cover up to three devices as part of a single subscription for $19.99 per month, and additional devices can be...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Raises iCloud+ Prices in 8 Countries

Friday July 17, 2026 11:56 am PDT by
Apple has increased the price of iCloud+ in Nigeria, Türkiye, Vietnam, Japan, Egypt, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, according to an updated version of its iCloud support document. Price increases range from 11 percent to 55 percent depending on the plan and the country. Nigeria saw the biggest hike, and a 50GB plan is now ₦1,300, up from ₦900. Türkiye saw the next largest...