How Android 16's Live Updates Will Transform Your Notifications

Waiting for an Uber? You probably keep checking the app or pulling down notifications to see where your driver is. iPhone users don’t have to do this. They have Live Activities, which show real-time updates on the lock screen and Dynamic Island. Now, Android is catching up with a similar feature called Live Updates in Android 16. The upcoming Android version is getting many features, like a new Quick Settings Revamp. Now, It's time to find out the details about Live Updates.

Live Updates are a new type of notification that shows constantly changing information in real time. Instead of sending many separate alerts, it keeps one persistent notification on your screen. You can see live updates for rideshares, food deliveries, flights, and even sports scores.

Before this, Android apps had to create their own notification systems. Uber, for example, built custom notifications to show a driver’s location. Google has now made a standard system so any app can easily display live updates.

Live Updates will always appear on the lock screen, even when Android 16’s compact notification shelf is turned on. Unlike regular notifications, they won’t be hidden. This makes it easy to check updates without unlocking your phone.

Google’s code also suggests Live Updates will appear as chips in the status bar. This means you could see tiny icons with real-time info at the top of your screen, similar to what iPhones do with the Dynamic Island.

Additionally, Live Updates will work on always-on displays. This means you can check updates without waking your phone. For example, if you’re waiting for an Uber, you’ll see its progress at a glance.

Live Updates act like progress bars for ongoing events. Instead of receiving multiple notifications, you’ll see one notification that updates automatically. Here are some examples:

Live Updates are still in development. The feature is included in Android 16 Beta 1, but it’s not fully functional yet. Right now, developers can create progress-centric notifications, but it’s unclear how apps will enable status bar chips or always-on display updates.

Future beta updates will refine Live Updates and make them more useful. Once fully launched, this feature will bring Android closer to iOS in real-time notifications, making it easier to track rides, deliveries, and other important updates.