Android 16 Getting Live Updates, Similar to iPhone's Live Activity

Google today previewed the next-generation version of Android, which has an updated design language that's more expressive, and a range of new features. One of the main new additions is Live Updates, a feature that mirrors Live Activity on the iPhone.

android live updates
Live Updates lets Android users track progress notifications from apps in real-time, much like Live Activity. Google says that Live Updates will work with top delivery, ride share, and navigation apps.

With Live Activity, incoming food deliveries, sports games, and more can be tracked from the ‌iPhone‌'s Lock Screen or with the Dynamic Island, and Google's feature works in a similar way. Android users will see Live Updates on the lock screen and home screen, and can tap into a menu bar option to get more information.

Google is revamping Android with an interface focused on color, movement, and haptics, and it'll be interesting to see how it compares to the rumored iOS 19 redesign that Apple has in the works.


Google took some cues from Apple on security, adding a Find Hub that's similar to the Find My app for tracking people, items, and devices, with Google even teaming up with airlines for luggage recovery. There's also an Advanced Protection option that looks similar to Lockdown Mode, offering additional safeguards against malware and suspicious contact for journalists and politicians.

More new features that are coming to Android 16 will be introduced at Google I/O next week.

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Top Rated Comments

CPmav Avatar
5 weeks ago

Good!

Nice feature that all should have.
This is exactly the type of comment I was hoping to see! Good features should be available to all, regardless of iOS or Android. There’s plenty of Android features I wish would come to iPhone.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
5 weeks ago
Good!

Nice feature that all should have.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
5 weeks ago

ah, of course, but when Apple does it, it's "they're fresh out of ideas and can't innovate anymore" Android fans are a mess. It's ok if Google or Samsung copy iOS right down to the UI and features but pitchforks out if Apple does it..
There's just no need to be like this
They both copy each other -- it's all fine
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
5 weeks ago
I wish Android well. As someone who plans to stay with Apple for the foreseeable future, the more pressure on Apple, the better it will be for me.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
5 weeks ago
Nice! I love their redesign. It appears that they are providing users with a wide range of stock options to customize the user interface. Now, the question arises: will Google actually implement these changes to its own stock apps? Lol.

It’s amusing to consider that both Android and iOS are undergoing significant design language updates this year.

Only three weeks remain until we can witness Apple’s offerings.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nxt3 Avatar
5 weeks ago

There's just no need to be like this
They both copy each other -- it's all fine
Exactly this.

I say this as a 13yr Android user who switched to Apple with the 14 Pro: the two OSes have been converging for quite some time. Every year Apple takes things from Android and Android does the from Apple.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)