Can I mask the Dynamic Island on iPhone 16?

I'd like to find a way to mask the dynamic island. I'm a recently new iPhone user coming over from a Galaxy s22. In the Android world we had the option of placing a black bar across the top of our screen. If we chose to do this our phone would effective change the aspect ratio of our screens to fit the new layout. The time and battery would then be white to contrast with the black bar. Is that a possibility with the iPhone 16? The dynamic island is a useful feature but if we could mask it with a surrounding black bar that could go across the entirety of the top of the phone, that would be great. If it's not something now, maybe an app could be developed. I'd certainly pay for it.



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iPhone 16, iOS 18

Posted on May 7, 2025 4:58 PM

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May 7, 2025 5:32 PM in response to Cmarsh0316

Cmarsh0316 wrote:

I'd like to find a way to mask the dynamic island. I'm a recently new iPhone user coming over from a Galaxy s22. In the Android world we had the option of placing a black bar across the top of our screen. If we chose to do this our phone would effective change the aspect ratio of our screens to fit the new layout. The time and battery would then be white to contrast with the black bar. Is that a possibility with the iPhone 16? The dynamic island is a useful feature but if we could mask it with a surrounding black bar that could go across the entirety of the top of the phone, that would be great. If it's not something now, maybe an app could be developed. I'd certainly pay for it.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

No, sorry. There is no way to mask the Dynamic Island. It is built into the screen and hard coded into iOS. You can certainly let Apple know this is something you like to see in a future iPhone release using this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple


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May 7, 2025 5:19 PM in response to Cmarsh0316

Hmm. Interesting. I have never considered anything like that before. Unfortunately, there would be no way to do that because if you had a full black wallpaper (covering the Island) then there would be a faint white bar visible. And an app could not fully mask the island.


Good question, sorry there is not really an answer!

-CPistol

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May 7, 2025 5:47 PM in response to Cmarsh0316

There is no way to mask the Dynamic Island as it is built into the hardware. In addition to live activities, it is also used as a speaker for audio and a front facing camera for Face ID and other features. Long story short, if there were a way to mask it, you would be eliminating many of the iPhone’s capabilities. If you use the feedback link lobsterghost1 provided, you can let Apple know your thoughts. But I think it’s unlikely that will be introduced.

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Can I mask the Dynamic Island on iPhone 16?

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