One of the big new features that we’re particularly looking forward to in Android 16 is Live Updates, and Google has confirmed that it won’t be restricted to its own Pixel smartphones.
Google has been showing off this Live Updates feature at its big Google I/O event this week. This promises to give you glanceable information on things like food orders, with a progress bar and delivery estimation posted right there on your lock screen and notification menu, without requiring you to open the app.
You’ll also have the ability to take action from these information widgets – to tip or call the delivery driver, for example.
Live Updates coming to a Samsung near you
One other interesting snippet to emerge from the Google I/O keynote (as spotted by Android Authority) is the confirmation that Live Updates won’t be a Pixel-only feature.
Samsung will be integrating it into its own heads-up info system, also known as the Now Bar, as part of the Android 16-based One UI 8 update.
OnePlus is also due to implement Live Updates into its own OxygenOS Live Alerts – a system that, on the likes of the OnePlus 13, acts similarly to Apple’s Dynamic Island.
It’s also been confirmed that Xiaomi and Vivo will implement Live Updates into their heavily customised Android skins. Essentially, we’re expecting Live Updates to become a core part of every major Android manufacturer’s UI over the coming year.
Away from the keynote, OnePlus parent company Oppo has also been confirmed for Live Updates support, with Google having used an Oppo phone (as well as a Google Pixel 9 phone and a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra) to demonstrate Live Updates over on its developer blog.
Live Updates delayed?
Don’t get ahead of yourself on this one, however. Live Updates may not arrive alongside Android 16 over the coming months.
It’s not present in the first Android 16 QPR1 Beta, while Google would only state that the feature would be “rolling out to devices over the next year” on stage at Google I/O.
Obviously third party app support will be required to make this feature sing, so it’s possible Google is getting its ducks in a row before rolling out Live Updates for Android 16 proper.
