When Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 14 Pro models, many people were surprised by its innovative integration of software functions with the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen, which Apple calls the "Dynamic Island."

Dynamic Island Thumb Alt
Display pixels around the ‌Dynamic Island‌ merge it into one pill-shaped area that changes size and shape to accommodate various types of alerts, notifications, and interactions, turning it into a kind of front-and-center information hub.

But what if you find content that appears in ‌Dynamic Island‌ distracting, especially when you're trying to focus on something else on your ‌iPhone‌'s screen?

Unfortunately, there's currently no way to outright disable ‌Dynamic Island‌ content, as its behavior is baked into iOS 16. However, if you're distracted by its animations you can dismiss them by swiping left or right across the Dynamic Island, without affecting any related background activity.

For example, if an album in Apple Music is playing and you dismiss the audio waveform and artwork in the ‌Dynamic Island‌, the music will continue to play in the background. The same goes for when you dismiss a timer – it will still count down in the background even though it is no longer visible on the screen.

dynamic island dismiss content
If the ‌Dynamic Island‌ is split into two background activities and you want to get rid of one or both, use the same swipe gesture on the larger segment to make it disappear. Then, in the same way, swipe across the remaining activity that extends across the pill.

If you dismiss all activity in ‌Dynamic Island‌, it will return the pill-shape to its previous inert status, leaving you to focus entirely on what else is on the screen.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

redcarlsen Avatar
31 months ago
the amount of praise for this nonsense is unreal.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maktaba Avatar
31 months ago
Dynamic Island is a good example of “putting lipstick on a pig”.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sehns Avatar
31 months ago
Am i the only person who gives absolutely no f***s about dynamic island?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deuxani Avatar
31 months ago
I think the content of this article perfectly describes the current state of Apple’s OS’s. It’s getting so complex with no logical cues, manuals or explanations for users, that we have to read articles online to figure out basic functionality like this.

The amount of time it takes to explain some (older) people that left swipe from the top brings the Notification Center and right swipe brings Control Center or TouchID is not pressing the button but laying your finger on it…
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scrm Avatar
31 months ago
Phase 1: “A seamless fusion of hardware and software, birthing an iconic new interaction method that’s fun as well as functional? Take my money!”

Phase 2: “Looks cool and my friends think so too but… is there a way to disable it?”

Phase 3: “The results are in: this was a design mistake. It wasn’t broken before, what was Apple thinking? At least the next version won’t have it!”

Case in point: MBP Touch Bar.

Dynamic island is now approaching phase 2.

IPadOS Stage Manager: about to land in phase 1. ?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Royksöpp Avatar
31 months ago
Why would you turn it off? Isn't that the whole point of buying this phone?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...