Tech Desk 
Mar 07, 2025
Google Maps has become the first app to utilise Android 16's recently released “Live Updates” feature, offering users a more seamless experience.
This new feature is currently available to users running Android 16 beta 2.1.
Google Maps' Live Updates feature in Android 16
With the Live Updates feature, Google Maps users can now view the time remaining until their next turn and estimated arrival time directly on their device's status bar, notifications panel, lock screen, and always-on display.
Initially introduced by Google in the first beta release of Android 16, this feature is described as a means to facilitate monitoring and quick access to ongoing activities.
Like iOS's Live Activities, which provides real-time notifications on the iPhone’s lock screen, and Dynamic Island, Android's Live Updates aim to enhance the user experience. However, until now, the feature's implementation in actual Android apps has been limited.
It’s worth mentioning that Google Maps also includes an option to disable "live info," which appears on the status bar and lock screen.
Although Live Updates are still partially supported in Android 16 beta 2.1, with notifications from Google Maps appearing "collapsed" on the always-on display, developers will likely incorporate full support before Android 16's stable release, which is expected in June 2025.
