iOS 16.1 Beta Adds More Pronounced Gray Border Around Dynamic Island When Using Black Wallpapers or in Dark Mode - MacRumors
Skip to Content

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

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.

dynamic island outline 1
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.

dynamic island outline 2
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.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

nutmac Avatar
45 months ago
That looks terrible. It should be an Accessibility feature, perhaps as part of Button Shapes setting.
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SDJim Avatar
45 months ago
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?
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleguy123 Avatar
45 months ago
Makes me feel better about staying on the static peninsula.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DanRyb Avatar
45 months ago
Yeah this bothers me. I purposely use a dark background so that it blends in.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stiligFox Avatar
45 months ago
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.

Attachment Image
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
45 months ago
This seems like a very odd decision if intentional. I will just hope/assume this is a bug.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)