Android 16's Live Updates in preparation for Android phones, Wear OS

Google announces in developer update that Live Updates will come to Wear OS smartwatches in 2026
An undated image. — Shutterstock
An undated image. — Shutterstock

The limelight has long been centred around Live Updates since Android 16 leaks began to surface, which is well-validated considering its incredible capability of letting users track real-time progress of activities like deliveries, rideshares, and navigation directly from their home screens.

While iPhone users have been relishing this for a substantial amount of time, now it's the turn of Android users with the debut of Android 16, the latest Android update.

The notable revelation is that Android's version of Live Updates will even get some complimentary touch-ups to surpass the iPhone experience.

The excitement gets doubled as it was also revealed that Live Updates won't be limited to Pixel phones, meaning it will be compatible with several of Android devices.

Google announced in a recent developer update that Live Updates will come to Wear OS smartwatches in 2026, while noting that it will also be rolled out to foldable devices, apart from standard Android smartphones.

For its impending Live Updates, Google seems to have drawn inspiration from Apple, as the Apple Watch is already equipped with Live Activities.

That said, Live Updates will definitely enhance the smartwatch experience by providing quick access to important information, and having this feature on Pixel Watches and other wearables running Wear OS would significantly improve their utility.