2 min read
With the introduction of Android 16’s Live Updates feature, Google Maps has enhanced real-time navigation, making it easier for users to track their journeys effortlessly.
Currently available for Android 16 beta 2.1 users, this new functionality allows Google Maps to display real-time travel updates on the status bar, notifications panel, lock screen, and always-on display. Users can now see their estimated arrival time and the time remaining until their next turn without needing to open the app.
Google first introduced Live Updates in the Android 16 beta as a way to improve background process tracking and enhance accessibility. This feature closely resembles iOS’s Live Activities and Dynamic Island, which provide real-time updates on the iPhone’s lock screen. However, until now, Android apps have had limited implementations of such live-tracking features.
For users who prefer more control over their notifications, Google Maps includes an option to disable live info, preventing it from appearing on the lock screen and status bar.
Although Live Updates is currently in beta 2.1, it is expected to receive full support from developers ahead of Android 16’s stable release in June 2025. However, some aspects, such as collapsed notifications on the always-on display, still require refinements.
