You’ve likely heard about the exciting new features packed into Android 16. Google just started rolling it out to all eligible Pixel devices. Among the most anticipated Android 16 features is Live Updates, Android’s answer to iOS’ Live Activities. However, there’s a small catch: while the groundwork is laid, the full Live Updates experience isn’t actually “live” on Pixel phones just yet.
What is Android 16’s Live Updates?
So, what exactly are Live Updates, and why are we so excited about them? They are a type of widget-like notifications that offer real-time updates with data from your favorite apps and services, with support for progress bars. The feature is useful for multiple use cases, as Live Activities on iOS have shown. Think of those notifications from your ride-share or food delivery apps that show your driver’s ETA or food status. Traditional notifications would still be useful for these cases, but they often get buried. Plus, you have to unlock your phone or pull down the notification shade to see them. Developers also had to build these custom progress bars from scratch.
Google is aware of the problem and is addressing it in two ways. First, with the current Android 16 release, they’ve introduced “progress-style notifications.” This provides developers with a standardized template to easily create those dynamic progress bars. Apps can use these APIs today. Then we have the Live Updates feature that will arrive in a future Android 16 release for Pixels—likely with the QPR1 or QPR2 update later this year.
An even more advanced notification experience
When Live Updates fully arrive, the progress-style notifications will transform. According to Android Authority, they will be able to appear prominently at the top of your notification panel, staying visible above most other alerts.
Additionally, they can be displayed fully expanded on your always-on display (AOD), meaning you won’t even need to wake your screen for quick glances. There will even be short display capabilities, glanceable messages in status bar chips, providing quick updates while you’re using other apps. Tapping these chips will expand the notification, saving you from pulling down the full panel.
Many were probably expecting the Live Updates feature to be available on Android 16 right away. Sadly, they’ll have to wait a few more months. However, once available, the feature will take the notification experience on Android to the next level.
