When Apple introduced Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro, it quickly became one of the most talked-about features. Instead of a plain notch, Apple turned it into a useful space for notifications, music controls, live activities, and more. The only catch? Officially, Dynamic Island is limited to iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15 Pro, and newer.
But if you’re still using an older iPhone running iOS 18, don’t worry. There are ways to bring the Dynamic Island experience to unsupported iPhones. In this guide, I’ll share how you can do it, what tools are available, and what to expect once you try it.
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| How to Get Dynamic Island on Unsupported iPhone (iOS 18) |
Why Older iPhones Don’t Have Dynamic Island
Dynamic Island is tied to Apple’s hardware design. The newer Pro models have a pill-shaped cutout that works together with software animations to create the effect. Older iPhones have either a full notch or no notch at all, so Apple never enabled it officially.
However, developers in the jailbreak and customization community have recreated Dynamic Island in software form — so you can enjoy something very close to the real thing.
Method 1: Use Third-Party Apps (No Jailbreak)
Several apps on the App Store and outside of it mimic the Dynamic Island feature. These apps create a floating pill-shaped widget at the top of your screen that reacts to music, charging, and notifications.
- Apps like DynamicCow and other tweaks have been popular since iOS 16.
- On iOS 18, you can still sideload these apps using tools such as AltStore or Sideloadly.
Once installed, you’ll see a pill animation when you plug in your charger, play music, or receive notifications.
Method 2: Shortcut & Widget Workarounds
Even without apps or jailbreak, you can mimic parts of Dynamic Island by:
- Using iOS 18’s new widget system to create floating widgets near the notch.
- Setting up Shortcuts automations (like showing a banner when charging or launching music).
It’s not as smooth as Dynamic Island, but it still gives your phone a modern touch.
What to Expect
Keep in mind that these methods won’t make your iPhone exactly the same as an iPhone 14 Pro or 15 Pro. The animations may not be as smooth, and some apps won’t integrate with the custom Dynamic Island. But for day-to-day use like music playback, charging animations, or quick info, it feels surprisingly close.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need the latest iPhone to enjoy the Dynamic Island effect. With apps, sideloading tools, or jailbreak tweaks, you can bring a taste of it to your older iPhone running iOS 18.
If you want something safe and easy, go with third-party apps. If you want the full experience and don’t mind experimenting, jailbreak tweaks are the way to go.
Either way, your unsupported iPhone can still look and feel fresh with a little creativity.
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