Android 16’s Live Updates Lets You View Notifications in Real-Time

Google is introducing “Live Update” notifications in Android 16, and a demo app now allows you to see how these work in an actual setting. These notifications provide real-time updates on timers, sports scores, workout statuses, and navigation, and they integrate with third-party apps for tasks like tracking cab distances or managing food orders.

Live Updates can be divided into two components: first, you can view real-time app updates and progress within the notification tray, and second, the notification is displayed as a rectangular “chip” on the status bar.

Below is a working demo showing what these notifications would look like:

Prior to this, the same functionality was introduced in iOS three years ago and was recently adopted by platforms such as OneUI, HyperOS, and ColorOS as Now Bar, Focus Notifications, and Live Alerts, respectively.

In Android 16’s Live Updates, when the notification appears as a chip on the status bar, it can be tapped to expand into a heads-up notification. On the lock screen, they will also appear fully even when other notifications are collapsed and will have a higher priority than regular notifications.

If an app attempts to misuse the real-time status updates functionality, Live Updates can be turned off for specific apps through the phone’s settings. By default, however, they will remain enabled.

Source: Android Authority