Android users may soon benefit from a notification feature similar to Apple’s Live Activities, which offers at-a-glance updates on iPhones. According to reports, Google is developing “Rich Ongoing Notifications” for Android, an advanced notification type allowing apps to display live information in a format similar to Apple’s Live Activities, particularly in the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. This new feature could enhance Android’s current notification system, providing convenient, real-time updates for users directly in the status bar.
Mishaal Rahman, a journalist with extensive knowledge of Android software developments, spotted this feature in the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release. Rahman reports that Google’s new notification approach is designed to show brief, live updates—”chips”—at the top of the screen. These chips can display essential details, such as call duration or arrival times, allowing you to see important information without opening the full app.
How the new notifications could work
According to Rahman’s findings on Android Authority, the Rich Ongoing Notifications would allow apps to create chips with customisable text and background colours that can stay on the screen, even when using other apps. This could bring a new level of interactivity to Android devices, making it easier to monitor time-sensitive information.
Imagine you’re waiting for a bus or an Uber; the new notifications would allow you to see updates like expected arrival times without switching apps. This would work similarly to how the iPhone’s Live Activities update within the Dynamic Island, giving users more freedom to multi-task while staying updated. A specific example is a call timer that appears when you’re on a phone call; the new notification type would work similarly, placing small, interactive chips at the top of the screen.
The Rich Ongoing Notifications may be used across apps, providing real-time information on everything from transit to delivery updates or tracking exercises. The feature aims to help Android users monitor vital details without constantly switching between apps, offering a convenient, streamlined way to view information.
When can you expect this feature?
Though Google’s new notification system seems promising, it’s still in development, and a release date hasn’t yet been confirmed. Rahman speculates that the feature may be ready for launch with Android 16, which would align with the annual Android update cycle typically released in the year’s second half. However, because the feature is still in its beta stage, it’s possible that it could be delayed as Google works to refine the user experience.
Android users will have to wait and see how Google progresses with Rich Ongoing Notifications. With the potential for broader customisation and live updates, this feature could bring a useful enhancement to Android, making it easier to stay updated without interrupting daily tasks. This improvement would provide Android users with a powerful new tool for managing information directly in the status bar without relying on lock-screen notifications or constantly opening apps.
As Google continues to evolve its mobile operating system, adding Rich Ongoing Notifications could be a key step in making Android more responsive and convenient, especially for those who rely heavily on real-time updates throughout the day. While Android fans wait for its full release, this feature could give Android a fresh, competitive edge and expand how Android apps can keep you informed.
