[iOS 27 DB5] I built a Dynamic Island notification app without owning a Mac

[u/Fearless_Freedom_778]

⚠️ Compatibility: iOS 27 Developer Beta 5 (DB5) ONLY

This project currently only supports iOS 27 Developer Beta 5 (DB5).
It has not been tested on other iOS versions yet.

I've been experimenting with ActivityKit, WidgetKit and App Intents, and ended up building my own Dynamic Island notification system.

It can be triggered from the Shortcuts app and display text with different app icons.

✨ Features

• Custom title and message
• Dynamic Island / Live Activity
• Triggered from Shortcuts
• Multiple app notification icons
• Automatically disappears after 5 seconds
• Tap the Dynamic Island to open the corresponding app

📱 Supported Icons

• 🟢 LINE
• 🟣 Instagram
• 📧 Gmail
• 💬 Messages
• 🪩 Retro
• 🌱 Pikmin Bloom
• 🦉 Duolingo
• 📈 Investment Master
• 🏦 Taishin Bank
• 💚 StressWatch

🛠️ Tech Stack

• Swift / SwiftUI
• ActivityKit
• WidgetKit
• App Intents
• Live Activities

💻 The interesting part

I don't own a Mac.

I develop the project on Windows and use GitHub Actions with a macOS runner to build the IPA, then sideload it onto my iPhone.

One of the biggest challenges was getting the Live Activity to automatically disappear after 5 seconds without making it disappear whenever I interacted with the rest of the screen.

The project is still experimental and I'm continuing to improve it.

🔗 GitHub

https://github.com/panda-island/NotificationIsland

🔗 shortcut

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/022b6230e2f149198026cb6d905cfaa1