With Android 16, Google introduced the Live Updates feature. This is aimed at making it easier to track real-time notifications from various apps like food delivery, flight trackers, and others. This way, you don’t miss out on time-sensitive information when it goes down the queue. With the current Android 16 build, the feature is only partially there. Most of Google’s apps don’t support Live Updates yet. However, that might be changing soon as the Mountain View tech giant has been spotted testing Live Updates integration for Google Maps .
Google Maps Live Updates integration
Android Authority first spotted this Google Maps feature a few days ago, following a tip from user @slaydelulu on X . Post which, a handful of Pixel and Samsung users running Android 16 QPR2 Beta report seeing Live Updates appear for directions. There’s a progress bar pinned on the screen while you travel. This indicates how far you’ve gone in your journey.
This progress bar Live Update also appears on the Always-On Display screen, status bar, and the lock screen. This takes priority over other notifications. It makes tracking navigation much easier. This new development comes after the first sighting of the Live Updates integration into Google Maps in March. Again, this was only for phones running on Android 16 .
The feature may roll out with Android 16 QPR1
Even if your phone is running on Android 16 QPR2 build, the feature isn’t widely rolling out as Google appears to be testing with limited users. The company is likely to roll out this Maps feature alongside the release of Android 16 QPR1. The update may release as early as this week or early next week.
You can also try signing up for the Google Maps beta program. If you’re lucky, you might get the taste of the Live Updates integration when Google begins wider testing.
