iOS 16.1 Beta Adds More Pronounced Gray Border Around Dynamic Island When Using Black Wallpapers or in Dark Mode

[MacRumors]

With the latest iOS 16.1 beta, Apple has tweaked the design of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to make it more visible on a dark background. When using a darker wallpaper or with the darker interface of Dark Mode activated, there is a light gray border around the outside of the Dynamic Island when the screen is dimmed or when the Dynamic Island is in active use.

The border does not show up on lighter color wallpapers where the Dynamic Island's outline is already visible, and it disappears when the iPhone is unlocked or when the Dynamic Island is not being used. If you play music or use an app that displays content in the Dynamic Island, the border will show up again.

In iOS 16.0.2, there is a very faint border around the Dynamic Island, but the iOS 16.1 beta makes it much more apparent. It is not clear why Apple has made this change, and what it ultimately adds to the Dynamic Island interface. For those who used dark backgrounds to make the Dynamic Island blend better into the screen around it, the new outline is something of a distraction.

Article Link: iOS 16.1 Beta Adds More Pronounced Gray Border Around Dynamic Island When Using Black Wallpapers or in Dark Mode

 

[appleguy123]

Makes me feel better about staying on the static peninsula.

 

[JonathanParker]

Wow, these are the changes I really wanted to see.

 

[stiligFox]

It’s humorous now that they are trying to emphasize its existence, where as with the notch, they did their best to hide it in promotional materials.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

This seems like a very odd decision if intentional. I will just hope/assume this is a bug.

 

[SDJim]

This is the opposite of what I want, lol, what a bizarre step backwards.

Isn't their whole marketing for the "Dynamic Island" centered around it being partially invisible due to UI magic tricks?

 

[miamialley]

Weird.

 

[nutmac]

That looks terrible. It should be an Accessibility feature, perhaps as part of Button Shapes setting.

 

[uczcret]

Life changing feature.

 

[Motawa]

What the ****

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Incredible!

This is very neat. I like it. Keeping it all symmetrical.

 

[1557750]

Highlight that baby!

I love it. 👊😍👍

 

[DanRyb]

Yeah this bothers me. I purposely use a dark background so that it blends in.

 

[Pro_the_legend]

It’s evolving… just backwards.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Yeah this bothers me. I purposely use a dark background so that it blends in.

It shouldn't bother you tho. It's going to help you seeing the Dynamic Island features all aligned.

 

[antiprotest]

The people at Apple are probably also amazed at how some MR users here keep defending Apple no matter what they do so they're trying to see how far they can push just for the fun of it. Or, it's just that Apple designers are getting worse and more stupid.

 

[jlyaamu]

Booooo

 

[theOmega]

It’s a major feature of iPhone 14, they want to show it, long are the days of marketing images hiding it with wallpapers

 

[Mr. Rod]

Awful. They should just let it be an Accessibility toggle...

 

[skaro]

This is going to divide people so we just need an option to turn it off for those of us who like it blending in with the black background!

 

[sully54]

I hope this is a bug, which really isn’t really a stretch considering apple’s recent track record.

 

[antiprotest]

Realistic scenario:

Help! I can't find my way back to the dynamic island! I am lost! Oh wait, there it is inside that ugly a$$ border. Whew.

 

[mjschabow]

If it's dark and you can't see, how in the hell would you ever find the island? Great feature!

 

[ProfessionalFan]

The main reason I think this is a bug, is that Apple said they were working on DI for years. Surely, they would have done this with the launch of it. I don't think this change will be there in the final release of 16.1.

 

[dkeane]

This is terrible, I use a black background specifically to make it blend in