iOS 17.1 Beta Gives Reachability a Black Background on iPhones With Dynamic Island

[MacRumors]

Starting with the first iOS 17.1 beta released last week, Reachability now has a solid black background on all iPhone models with the Dynamic Island, instead of a blurred view of the device's wallpaper. This minor change means the Dynamic Island no longer appears twice on the screen when Reachability is being used.

Image Credit: throwmeaway1784​

iPhone models with the Dynamic Island include the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

On older iPhone models without the Dynamic Island, Reachability still shows a blurred wallpaper as the background on the first iOS 17.1 beta.

Reachability is an optional feature that lowers the top half of the screen so it's within easy reach of your fingers. The feature can be enabled in the Settings app under Accessibility → Touch → Reachability. To use the feature, simply swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen. To return to a regular view, tap the upper half of the screen.

iOS 17.1 is expected to be released in late October. Last week, we outlined other new features in the first beta for Apple Music, AirDrop, and more.

Article Link: iOS 17.1 Beta Gives Reachability a Black Background on iPhones With Dynamic Island

 

[Fat_Guy]

I’m all for black!

 

[ss2cire]

I’m all for black!

I almost want to create a new account and name it "in_a_little_coat" XD

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Well, I think it'd be cool to allow for the option, use wall paper or black background. Options are nice.

 

[Fuzzball84]

At least it’s saving some battery power!

 

[zach-coleman]

I’m shocked this didn’t get implemented when they added the DI to reachability in 16.1. It always looked odd.

 

[ghostface147]

Rather interesting change, but I use reachability all the time and appreciate the change.

 

[Mr. Dee]

What if you use reachability is used with Facetime call, is it gonna show a fake green LED indicator?

 

[supremedesigner]

That's awesome. They should do the same for iPhone 13 Pro Max with top-notch.

 

[Howard Ellacott]

That's awesome. They should do the same for iPhone 13 Pro Max with top-notch.

Shows as black on my 13 Pro

 

[JCCL]

Reachability is one of the first things I diable as I keep triggering by mistake, but this was one of those obvious changes that makes you wonder why they didn't implement earlier.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

What if you use reachability is used with Facetime call, is it gonna show a fake green LED indicator?

It's not a green LED. There's actually active OLED elements between the cameras in the middle of the Dynamic Island - so it's a real green light, in a fake dynamic island

 

[TheDailyApple]

Overdue, but welcome

 

[CalMin]

That's awesome. They should do the same for iPhone 13 Pro Max with top-notch.

I'm guessing they will.

 

[coolfactor]

I figured the fix would be to keep the dynamic island where it was, rather than move with the "screen", but from an accessibility standpoint, that doesn't make sense since you can interact with the island widgets, so needs to be reachable.

 

[locovaca]

I remember when the iPhone X came out and it was against developer guidelines to try to hide the notch by turning it black… how times have changed.

 

[vegetassj4]

They should leave it and call it a feature: Dynamic Archipelago
The most dynamic islands we've ever had on an iPhone

 

[zach-coleman]

What if you use reachability is used with Facetime call, is it gonna show a fake green LED indicator?

Presumably yes because the DI moves down with reachability even if the island is currently inactive. You can only interact with the "fake" one in this state.

 

[Populus]

I remember when the iPhone X came out and it was against developer guidelines to try to hide the notch by turning it black… how times have changed.

I don’t remember it. I though Apple used wallpapers with dark or black color degraded towards the top of the screen with its notched iPhone, going as far back as the iPhone XS.

And the iOS screens with sort of like a tab shape at the top to leave all the space up there black. But I guess all of that came later with iOS 12 or 13?

 

[Ctrlos]

Maybe the millionaire software designers at Apple can finally redesign the OS so all interactions are in the bottom 50% of the screen and I can use the phone with one hand instead of continuing to use the placeholder reachability fudge

 

[Spock]

I like that Apple still takes care of the little details, it bothered me a bit..

 

[jmonster]

Maybe the millionaire software designers at Apple can finally redesign the OS so all interactions are in the bottom 50% of the screen and I can use the phone with one hand instead of continuing to use the placeholder reachability fudge

Millionaire software designers? You mean all zero of them?

(Totally agree with your point otherwise, though)

 

[th1nk]

I wish there was a better way to use reachability other than swiping down on the bottom. I always accidentally tap some button that is positioned there or have to swipe multiple times. Back tap is also quite cumbersome. Maybe the iPhone 16 has a capacitive power button that allows you to swipe down on the side. Or is there some trick I am missing?

 

[PhoenixAnhart]

Whatever you have to say about the Dynamic Island, I think we can all agree, this definitely needed to be an article.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Hate it. Hated the < 16 animation too.

Bring back just the icons sliding down.

 

[klasma]

But it’s probably still doubled for a moment when Reachability scrolls up and down?