Google Maps Pioneers Live Updates Notification for Android 16
Last updated: March 7th, 2025 at 11:15 UTC+01:00
Google has recently introduced a new feature called Live Updates notifications in the beta version of Android 16. The first app to use this new feature is Google Maps, allowing users to see real-time updates directly on their Android devices. This feature provides significant enhancements for navigation, especially for Samsung phones that utilize the Now Bar.
Google Maps and Live Updates Notifications
The latest update for Google Maps, version 25.09.02 or higher, has begun supporting Live Updates when used on devices with Android 16 Beta 2.1. This means that while you are navigating to a destination using Google Maps, if you navigate back to the home screen, you will see useful navigation details displayed in a pill-shaped UI element at the top of your screen.
How Live Updates Notifications Work
When you are actively using navigation and switch to another app or the home screen, a helpful notification will pop up in the status bar. Tapping this pill-shaped notification will expand it into a mini floating window that shows you additional information related to your route, such as estimated arrival time, traffic updates, and more.
This live notification will stay visible for several seconds, even when you are using other applications on your device. However, it is important to note, as highlighted by 9To5Google, that this floating notification will only show up if you have disabled the picture-in-picture feature for Google Maps.
New Features in Google Maps
In the Android 16 Beta, a new option named ‘Show Live Info’ has been introduced in the Google Maps App Info screen, enabling users to customize how notifications appear. The format of these Live Updates notifications is quite similar to the Dynamic Island notifications seen in Apple’s iPhone, giving a fresh new look to real-time updates.
Similar Features on Samsung Devices
Many Samsung devices running One UI 7.0, like the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy S25, also provide similar notification features. However, Google Maps had to be updated separately to accommodate Android 16’s new features, indicating that the built-in systems may function differently. Samsung is expected to further enhance this feature and integrate Live Updates notifications into the Now Bar in the upcoming One UI 8.0. This allows users to access vital navigation information directly from their lock screens.
This upgrade represents a significant step towards better real-time navigation, enhancing the overall user experience by ensuring that vital information is easily accessible without needing to switch back and forth between apps. As Google continues to improve its apps and their functionalities, users can expect more of such updates that make everyday tasks like navigation more efficient and user-friendly.
