Device-specific hardware settings
Dynamic Island
Most people call this the interactive pill at the top of the screen.
The Dynamic Island turns the camera cutout into a live status area that expands to show calls, timers, directions and Live Activities.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- Notifications
- App name
- Live Activities
What it does
There is no on and off switch. What appears is driven by Live Activities, which are controlled per app under Notifications and by the master Live Activities switch under Face ID and Passcode for the Lock Screen.
What changes
When it is on
Apps can show live status in the Island.
When it is off
Turning off an app's Live Activities removes it from the Island.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Timers, music and directions visible without leaving the app you are in.
- Tap and hold expands for more detail.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Delivery and sports apps can be persistent.
- Live Activities visible on the Lock Screen reveal information to anyone nearby.
Battery
Depends how you use it
Privacy
Costs you something
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: Active on models that have it, driven by app Live Activities.
What your iPhone needs
- Needs an iPhone with a Dynamic Island
Questions people actually ask
- How do I turn off the Dynamic Island?
- There is no switch for the Island itself. Turn off Live Activities for the app that is using it.
If it is not working
- To stop an app appearing, turn off its Live Activities under Notifications.
- Show in Lock Screen under Face ID and Passcode controls what is visible when locked.
- If your model has a notch rather than an Island, none of this applies.