iOS 16.2 Beta Reintroduces Live Sports Scores on iPhone's Lock Screen

iOS 16.1 was released to the public this week with support for Live Activities in third-party apps. However, Live Activities integration for select sports games via Apple's built-in TV app appears to have been pushed back to iOS 16.2.

iOS 16 Live Activities Sports MLB
Midway through the iOS 16.1 beta testing period, Live Activities integration in the TV app was disabled, but it has been reenabled in the first beta of iOS 16.2 seeded to developers this week. iOS 16.2 will likely be released to the public around December, so the sports feature should finally be available to all users later this year, as Apple promised.

The feature allows iPhone users to view live sports scores at a glance on the Lock Screen, and in the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models.

During a Premier League match, for example, the Dynamic Island shows a live-updating scoreboard with the number of goals scored by each club. When long pressed, the Dynamic Island expands to show the time elapsed and play-by-play action. When an iPhone 14 Pro is locked, and on all other iPhone models, the score is shown on the Lock Screen.

To test the feature with an iPhone on the iOS 16.2 beta, open the TV app and tap on the "Follow" button for a supported game. Apple says the feature is available for MLB games for users in the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Japan, and South Korea, in addition to NBA and Premier League games for users in the U.S. and Canada only. The feature will likely be expanded to other sports leagues in the future.

In the meantime, some sports apps are offering Live Activities on iOS 16.1, such as Sports Alerts.

(Thanks, Mike Quinn and Youssef Salem!)

Related Roundups: iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

St. Germain Avatar
8 months ago

I'm missing something...

The point of watching sports is that it is entertainment. You are watching athletes competing...not just watching a scoreboard change its digits. And not knowing how the game ends (who wins) is part of the draw.

Yet we now have generations of people just watching scores? Where does this add value? So they can share/spoil the game for those of us who DVR the games and watch them on our own time (without commercials and idiotic commentary, and when our family time allows us...because, you know...priorities).

Folks - I really love watching football. But watching a game via DVR is a joy akin to having podcasts or audiobooks on my iPhone. It allows me to have more entertainment while still living a life.

Live scores ruin this.
There are plenty of instances where I’d like to follow a game without having the time to actually watch it. Sure, I’ll watch all/most of the games of my favorite team, but I also like to keep tabs on rivals. We have season tickets and there are usually several other games going on while we’re at the game that I’d like to follow.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arpi Avatar
8 months ago
perfect place for apple to place ads later...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imdog Avatar
8 months ago

I'm missing something...

The point of watching sports is that it is entertainment. You are watching athletes competing...not just watching a scoreboard change its digits. And not knowing how the game ends (who wins) is part of the draw.

Yet we now have generations of people just watching scores? Where does this add value? So they can share/spoil the game for those of us who DVR the games and watch them on our own time (without commercials and idiotic commentary, and when our family time allows us...because, you know...priorities).

Folks - I really love watching football. But watching a game via DVR is a joy akin to having podcasts or audiobooks on my iPhone. It allows me to have more entertainment while still living a life.

Live scores ruin this.
Lmao what in tarnation? You're obviously not a sports fan. I'd say 90% of the time its to keep tabs on other teams to know where your team is in the standings, and for people to play fantasy sports.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Costino1 Avatar
8 months ago
I was disappointed in this. So far the dynamic lock screen and island were the 2 things i was the most excited for and have been let down the most. The Island is reminding me of the TouchBar more and more.... Cool concept on paper, but wont be utilized.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarAnalogy Avatar
8 months ago

I was disappointed in this. So far the dynamic lock screen and island were the 2 things i was the most excited for and have been let down the most. The Island is reminding me of the TouchBar more and more.... Cool concept on paper, but wont be utilized.
Meanwhile Siri and autocorrect are as bad as they were ten years ago. If it doesn't show off well in a 30 second ad during a football game, Apple doesn't want to work on it.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anakin44011 Avatar
8 months ago
I'm missing something...

The point of watching sports is that it is entertainment. You are watching athletes competing...not just watching a scoreboard change its digits. And not knowing how the game ends (who wins) is part of the draw.

Yet we now have generations of people just watching scores? Where does this add value? So they can share/spoil the game for those of us who DVR the games and watch them on our own time (without commercials and idiotic commentary, and when our family time allows us...because, you know...priorities).

Folks - I really love watching football. But watching a game via DVR is a joy akin to having podcasts or audiobooks on my iPhone. It allows me to have more entertainment while still living a life.

Live scores ruin this.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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