Duolingo Accused of Using iOS Live Activities for Dynamic Island Ads

A recent Reddit post claims Duolingo kept a bar in the Dynamic Island for a while, and when the user expanded it, it showed a “Super” subscription offer. That detail matters because the Dynamic Island usually surfaces Live Activities, which Apple designed for ongoing, time-sensitive tasks like a delivery, a workout, or a ride.



People reacted the way you would expect. Many called it "spammy" and why not? Some said they deleted the app. Others urged the poster to report it to Apple.



So, does Apple allow this, or does it break the rules?



'Dynamic Island' is not supposed to be ad space



Apple’s own Human Interface Guidelines for Live Activities include a clear warning: don’t use a Live Activity to display ads or promotions. Apple frames Live Activities as task-focused UI that should show only information tied to an ongoing event or activity.



That guidance is not a small detail. Live Activities sit on your Lock Screen and around the Dynamic Island, which makes them feel more “system-level” than a typical in-app banner. Apple also documents Live Activities as a way to keep you updated across the system, not as a persistent marketing billboard.



If an app uses a Live Activity mainly to push a discount, upsell, or subscription pitch, it clashes with the design intent Apple describes.



The confusing part: Apple does allow some marketing in notifications



Apple has separate rules for push notifications. The App Store Review Guidelines say apps should not use push notifications for promotions or direct marketing unless you explicitly opt in, and the app gives you a way to opt out.



That policy can make this whole situation feel muddy because Live Activities and notifications often travel together in real usage. Still, Apple treats Live Activities differently in its design guidance. Push marketing can be allowed with consent. Live Activity marketing is something Apple tells developers to avoid.



In other words, if you’re asking, “Is this against Apple’s terms,” you’re not being dramatic. Apple’s own guidance gives you a solid reason to question it.



Do this



If you see an app using the Dynamic Island or Lock Screen Live Activity to sell you something, you have a few practical options:




End the Live Activity: Long-press the Dynamic Island or the Live Activity on the Lock Screen, then stop or dismiss it.



Turn off Live Activities for that app: Go to Settings > [App Name] > Live Activities (wording can vary by iOS version), then disable it.



Tighten notification permissions: Go to Settings > Notifications > [App Name], then reduce alerts or turn them off if the app treats them like marketing.



Report it to Apple: Use the App Store’s report tools if you believe the behavior crosses the line for spammy design or misleading use of system surfaces.




The bigger issue Apple has to solve



This controversy highlights a pressure point Apple created by giving apps a new, highly visible UI surface. Developers want growth. Users want a calm, predictable system UI. Apple’s own Live Activities guidance leans heavily toward the user side, but enforcement is what people notice.



If apps start treating the Dynamic Island like a mini billboard, you will see more backlash like this, and you’ll also see more users switch off Live Activities completely. That hurts the feature for everyone.