The Dynamic Island is the pill-shaped cutout at the top of newer iPhones that expands to show live information: a timer counting down, a ride on its way, the song that is playing, or your flight’s gate. Apps use it through Live Activities, and the best ones make it genuinely useful rather than just decorative. This guide covers which iPhones have it, the built-in features worth knowing, and the third-party apps that make the most of it.
Which iPhones have the Dynamic Island?
The Dynamic Island arrived on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max and is on every iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 model and the iPhone 17 lineup, with the exception of budget models such as the iPhone 16e, which uses a notch. If your iPhone has a notch or a Home button, apps can still show Live Activities on the Lock Screen.
Built-in features that use the Dynamic Island
- Timers: start a timer in the Clock app and watch it count down at the top of the screen.
- Music and podcasts: Apple Music, Spotify and other audio apps show what is playing; long-press to get playback controls.
- Maps navigation: turn-by-turn directions appear while you use other apps.
- Phone and FaceTime calls: see call duration and tap to return to the call.
- Screen recording, Voice Memos and the Personal Hotspot status also appear.
- System alerts such as AirPods connecting, Face ID and Apple Pay animate there.
For the basics of tapping and long-pressing, see how to use the Dynamic Island.
Best third-party apps for the Dynamic Island
Flighty
A flight tracker that shows departure countdowns, gate changes and time to landing in the Dynamic Island. It is one of the best examples of what Live Activities can do.
Uber and other ride and delivery apps
Ride-hailing and food delivery apps show your driver’s arrival time or order progress, so you do not need to keep reopening the app.
Carrot Weather
A weather app with a sense of humor that can display current conditions and precipitation alerts as a Live Activity.
Steps – Activity Tracker
Shows your step count and progress toward your daily goal at a glance.
Slopes
For skiers and snowboarders, it tracks runs, speed and vertical distance while your phone stays in your pocket.
Pestle
A recipe organizer that keeps cooking timers and the current step visible while you switch apps.
SmartGym
Workout tracking with your current exercise and rest timer in the Dynamic Island. Some features require a subscription.
MoneyCoach
A budgeting app that can keep your spending status visible.
Calzy
A calculator that can display recent results in the Dynamic Island.
Hit The Island and Pixel Pals
Just for fun: Hit The Island turns the cutout into a game of Breakout, and Pixel Pals puts a small pet beside it.
App features and prices change, so check each app’s App Store page for current Live Activity support before you buy.
How to manage Live Activities
- Turn them on or off for an app: go to Settings, scroll down and tap the app (or Settings > Apps > the app on newer iOS versions), and toggle Live Activities.
- Lock Screen: if Live Activities do not appear while the phone is locked, check the options under Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked.
- Dismiss one: swipe it left in the Dynamic Island, or swipe it away on the Lock Screen.
Tips
- When two activities run at once, the Dynamic Island splits into a pill and a small bubble. Long-press either one to expand it.
- Tap an activity to open its app; long-press to see controls without leaving your current app.
- Pair it with Lock Screen widgets for even more information without unlocking.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Dynamic Island drain the battery?
Live Activities use a little power because they update in the background, but the effect is small for most people. If you are worried, turn off Live Activities for apps you do not need.
Why does an app not appear in the Dynamic Island?
The app has to support Live Activities, and they only appear while something is happening, such as an active timer, ride or flight. Check that Live Activities is turned on in that app’s settings.
Can I customize the Dynamic Island?
Not directly. Apple controls its size and behavior; apps decide what information they show.
Summary
- The Dynamic Island is on iPhone 14 Pro and most newer iPhones.
- Built-in apps like Clock, Maps and Music already use it.
- Flighty, ride and delivery apps, Carrot Weather and Slopes are standout third-party options.
- Control Live Activities in each app’s settings.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.