How “Dynamic Island” works on iPhone 14 Pro: apps, games, list of supported features and more

On the new iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the already familiar notch at the top of the screen has been replaced by a new Dynamic Island, which now houses the TrueDepth camera. Apple has slightly changed the interior of smartphones and built a proximity sensor under the display, thanks to which the company managed to replace the massive bangs with a small oval cutout in the screen.

Before the presentation, there were rumors that there would be as many as two cutouts on the screen of smartphones – a round one for the camera and an oval one for the TrueDepth system. However, Apple combined them into one oval cutout and called it Dynamic island. In this article, we’ll show you how one of the smartest and most successful changes to the iPhone interface works.

Shape of “Dynamic Island”

A dynamic_island is not just a static screen cutout. It can change size and shape, merging with the interface. In addition, new visual tools are displayed on the island. In standard use, this is a small oval notch, but with the help of screen pixels, Apple can expand it.

For example, during an Apple Pay payment, the dynamic island turns into a square for Face ID verification. During phone calls, the island expands to display call control buttons.

In essence, a dynamic-island displays current background tasks that you may need to return to while performing other tasks on your smartphone.

How can I use the “Dynamic Island”

So far, we can only judge by the demonstration of Apple during the presentation, but it seems that there will be many uses for the dynamic island. Below we have compiled a list of all its features that are currently known.

• Expand to a large rectangle to display directions from the Maps app.
• Displaying directions from maps in a smaller form in cases where you need to quickly see the next turn.
• Square ‌Apple Pay‌ confirmation interface.
• Displays the sound wave and the remaining time of the current track.
• Displays the time until the arrival of the taxi.
• Displays camera and microphone usage indicators.
• Display the duration of the phone call.
• Timer display
• Displaying the results of sports matches.
• Access to music management and music player.
• Display the AirPods connection status and headphone charge level.
• Display ‌iPhone‌ charging status and battery level.

System features that work with Dynamic Island

The 9to5Mac edition listed all the system features that Dynamic Island will support:

System alerts and notifications:

• Incoming call
• Connecting AirPods
• face ID
• Apple Pay
• car key
• AirDrop
• Unlock with Apple Watch
• Low battery
• Charger
• Silent mode on/off
• NFC interaction
• Airplay
• Changing the focus mode
• Quick Commands
• airplane mode
• SIM alerts
• Connecting accessories
• Locator

Live Activities:

• Current phone conversation
• Shareplay
• Music currently playing
• Timer
• Map directions
• Voice notes
• Screen recording
• Personal hotspot
• Microphone or camera activity indicators

Now playing:

• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Audible
• Amazon Music
• NPR One
• Overcast
• Pandora
• YouTube Music
• Soundcloud

Callkit:

• WhatsApp
• Google Voice
• Instagram
• Skype

The islet can display notifications or information you need. It will work with the Live Activities feature coming with iOS 16. You can easily and conveniently track the results of sports events, taxi rides, and more.

Every time you use Dynamic island, it works without distracting you from your main tasks. For example, while reading a Twitter feed, you can easily switch music through a dynamic island with just one touch.

Divided islet

The TrueDepth camera system is actually located in two separate cutouts connected by the system. In this regard, Dynamic island can really be divided into two parts – a circle and an oval. Each of these parts can display different information at the same time. For example, music control and a timer.

Interaction with the island

If you touch the island, it will become larger so that you can conveniently interact with the content displayed on it. When an app is open, you can swipe up to send that app’s content to the dynamic island and return back to the home screen.

Support for third party applications

Apple has allowed third-party app developers to integrate their apps with the dynamic island. You will be able to interact on the island with the content of not only standard, but also third-party applications. For example, the island will be able to display information about your flight for quick access.

Many users like the new Dynamic island. It has already been called one of Apple’s best design choices.

Dynamic Island in screenshots

As with the old iPhone display notch, Dynamic Island will not show up in screenshots taken while the feature is inactive. But if you take a screenshot and Dynamic Island is active at that time, it will be displayed on the screenshot.

The same will happen if you take a screenshot when iOS displays the privacy indicator dots for camera or microphone access in Dynamic Island. YouTube blogger Marques Brownlee says that an active Dynamic Island is also shown during screen recording.

Games on Dynamic Island

Developer Chris Smolka took to Twitter to share a concept for a Pong-like game that would take advantage of Dynamic Island. MacRumors believes that Apple probably won’t allow such games in its App Store, but this example proves that developers are eager to add Dynamic Island functionality to their apps.

Recall that only owners of the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max will be able to enjoy the dynamic island, since the standard iPhone 14 models have the same bangs as the iPhone 13.

Tweet