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

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.

ios 17 1 reachability

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.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

locovaca Avatar
21 months ago
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.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
21 months ago
They should leave it and call it a feature: Dynamic Archipelago
The most dynamic islands we've ever had on an iPhone
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eatrains Avatar
21 months ago
the mere existence of reachability proves that phones are too big
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zach-coleman Avatar
21 months ago
I’m shocked this didn’t get implemented when they added the DI to reachability in 16.1. It always looked odd.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
21 months ago
What if you use reachability is used with Facetime call, is it gonna show a fake green LED indicator?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FreakinEurekan Avatar
21 months ago

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 ;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)