How to get a Dynamic Island on a MacBook
Short answer: macOS does not have a Dynamic Island, not even macOS 26 Tahoe. You get one by installing a "notch app" that draws live activities (music, timers, battery, AirPods) around the MacBook notch. Free, open-source options are boring.notch (macOS 14+, any display), Atoll (macOS 14.6+, built for the notch, with settings for other displays) and Ledge (macOS 26+, notched MacBooks). Paid ones include Alcove, NotchNook, DynamicLake Pro and Droppy.
What macOS gives you on its own
Apple has not added a Dynamic Island to the Mac. The nearest thing is in macOS Tahoe: Live Activities from a nearby iPhone (a ride, a flight, a score) appear in the Mac's menu bar, expand with a click, and open in iPhone Mirroring with a double-click. That is useful, but it lives in the menu bar, needs an iPhone, and shows nothing about the Mac itself, like what it is playing or its battery.
Step 1: check whether your Mac has a notch
| Mac | Notch? |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch, 2021 and later | Yes |
| MacBook Air 13-inch (M2, 2022) and later; MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) and later | Yes |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch (any year), MacBook Air M1 and earlier | No |
| MacBook Neo | No (camera in a flat top bezel) |
| iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro, external monitors | No |
Every notched MacBook is Apple silicon. If yours has no notch, skip Ledge, which is notch-only, and pick one that draws its own island; Atoll has settings for non-notch screens but is built around the notch.
Step 2: pick an app
| App | Price | Open source | macOS | No notch / external display |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| boring.notch | Free | Yes, GPL-3.0 | 14+ | Yes |
| Atoll | Free | Yes, GPL-3.0 | 14.6+ | Settings for it |
| Ledge | Free | Yes, GPL-3.0 | 26+ | No |
| DynamicNotch | Free | Yes, GPL-3.0 | 14+ | Yes |
| Alcove | US$13.99 once | No | 15+ | Yes |
| NotchNook | US$15 lifetime or US$2/mo (special price) | No | 14.6+ | Yes |
| Droppy | US$9.99 once | No | 14+ | Yes |
Prices as listed on each developer's site on 22 October 2026. The full comparison has install methods, release dates and what each app is best at.
Step 3: know what you are installing
A notch app sits on top of everything you do, so it is worth five minutes:
- Private APIs. macOS has no public way for apps to read what is playing system-wide or to replace the volume pop-up. Most notch apps use private frameworks for this (Alcove's FAQ says so), so a macOS update can break features until the app is updated.
- Permissions. Expect requests for Accessibility (to catch the volume and brightness keys), Calendars, Camera (for a "mirror"), Bluetooth and Automation. Some also ask for Screen Recording (Atoll lists it among its permissions). An app should explain each one and keep working if you say no.
- Signing. boring.notch ships unsigned and asks you to clear the quarantine flag with
xattr. Notarized apps, such as Atoll, Ledge, Alcove and NotchNook, open without that step (which ones pass). - Not on the App Store. Because of the private APIs, the full-featured notch apps are distributed as direct downloads or through Homebrew.
Where Ledge fits
I built Ledge for my own MacBook. It shows now playing, a timer, your calendar with a camera mirror before meetings, weather, notes, Keep Awake, AirPods and battery, and replaces the volume and brightness pop-ups. It records no audio or screen, has no account or telemetry, and is free under GPL-3.0. It needs a notched MacBook on macOS 26 or later; on anything else, boring.notch is the better choice.
FAQ
Does macOS have a Dynamic Island?
No. macOS Tahoe shows iPhone Live Activities in the menu bar, but there is no Dynamic Island around the notch without a third-party app.
What is the best free Dynamic Island app for Mac?
For most people, boring.notch: free, open source, macOS 14+, any display. Atoll if you want more features on a notched MacBook (and a notarized app). Ledge if you are on macOS 26 and want a signed, privacy-focused app.
Which Macs have a notch?
The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2021 on, and the MacBook Air from the 2022 M2 model on.
Can I get a Dynamic Island on a Mac without a notch or on an external monitor?
Yes, with boring.notch, DynamicNotch or MewNotch (free), or Alcove, NotchNook, Droppy and DynamicLake Pro (paid). Atoll has settings for them too. Ledge only works on a notched MacBook display.
Related
- Best notch apps for MacBook in 2026
- Free, open-source alternatives to Alcove and NotchNook (2026)
- Show Spotify or Apple Music in the MacBook notch
- Join meetings from the MacBook notch
- Ledge: a free, open-source notch app for MacBook
Sources
- Apple Newsroom, macOS Tahoe 26 (Live Activities in the menu bar)
- MacBook Neo display: TechRadar, Wikipedia
- App facts: each app's own site or repository, linked in the table; Alcove FAQ on private APIs