You may have heard about the new features included in Android 16, which Google has just started rolling out to eligible Pixel devices. One of the most anticipated features of Android 16 is Live Updates, designed to be Android’s equivalent of iOS’ Live Activities. However, while the groundwork has been established, the complete Live Updates experience isn’t available on Pixel phones just yet. So, what are Live Updates, and why is there so much excitement surrounding them?

This feature consists of widget-like notifications that deliver real-time updates from your favorite apps and services, complete with progress bars. The potential applications are numerous, similar to iOS’s Live Activities. For instance, ride-share or food delivery apps can use it to show your driver’s estimated time of arrival or the status of your order. Traditional notifications are helpful, but they often disappear into the background or require you to unlock your phone to view them.

Google recognizes this issue and is addressing it in two significant ways. First, with the current Android 16 release, they have rolled out “progress-style notifications.” This new feature offers developers a standardized template to easily create dynamic progress bars for their applications. The necessary APIs are already available.

Additionally, the full functionality of Live Updates is expected to be introduced in a future Android 16 update, potentially with the QPR1 or QPR2 update later this year. When Live Updates become fully available, you can expect a significant transformation of progress-style notifications. They will be designed to appear prominently at the top of your notification panel, remaining visible above other alerts. Moreover, Live Updates can also be viewed in an expanded format on your always-on display, eliminating the need to wake your phone for quick updates.

Finally, glanceable messages in the status bar will provide quick notifications while you’re using other applications, allowing for easier access. Although many were hoping for immediate availability, the wait promises a substantial enhancement to the Android notification experience.