iOS 27 to Allow Users to Dismiss Lock Screen Now Playing Widget
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 will allow users to swipe away the "Now Playing" widget from the Lock Screen and Notification Center, a long-requested feature. This change, visible in the first developer beta, also affects the Dynamic Island. The functionality's precise behavior across different apps is still being determined.
Key points
- iOS 27 will introduce the ability for users to dismiss the "Now Playing" widget from their Lock Screen.
- This new feature, seen in the first developer beta, also hides the widget from the Dynamic Island when swiped away.
- Users have previously been unable to remove the "Now Playing" widget from the Lock Screen.
- The exact behavior and reappearance of the widget across different applications are still under observation.
Apple is set to introduce a long-requested feature in its forthcoming iOS 27 update, allowing users to dismiss the "Now Playing" widget from their Lock Screen. This change, identified in the initial developer beta release, will enable users to swipe away the widget, similar to how notifications are handled.
Beyond the Lock Screen, the new functionality also extends to the Notification Center. Furthermore, dismissing the "Now Playing" widget from the Lock Screen will also cause it to disappear from the Dynamic Island. Currently, there appears to be no immediate way to bring the widget back once dismissed, with pausing and resuming playback after a delay being the only observed workaround.
The widget's behavior is also noted to be app-dependent. For instance, switching from a podcast app to a video app might cause the "Now Playing" widget to reappear for the new media. However, returning to the podcast after pausing the video does not guarantee the podcast's widget will resurface, depending on how recently it was dismissed. Further details are expected as development progresses.
Sources
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