Live Updates on Lock Screen: How to Get Them

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Live updates on your lock screen show real-time information like sports scores, delivery status, or stock prices without unlocking your phone. You can get them by enabling Lock Screen widgets or Live Activities on iPhone (iOS 16+) or using lock screen widgets and notification-style updates on Android (Android 12+). Here’s exactly how to set it up, what works, and what to watch out for.

What Are Live Updates on the Lock Screen?

Live updates are small, glanceable pieces of information that appear on your phone’s lock screen and update automatically in the background. They’re designed to save you from constantly unlocking your device to check an app. Two main systems exist:

Live Activities (iPhone): Introduced in iOS 16.1, these are persistent, interactive notifications that stay on the lock screen or Dynamic Island. Examples: a timer counting down, a live sports score, a food delivery map, or a flight status.
Lock Screen Widgets (Android): Android 12 and later allow widgets on the lock screen (on some devices) and always-on display. Many apps also post frequent notifications that act like live updates (e.g., weather, stock tickers).

Both systems rely on apps that support the feature—not every app does. The update frequency is controlled by the app and the operating system to balance battery life.

How Live Updates Work

On iPhone, Live Activities use a dedicated framework (ActivityKit) that lets an app publish a “live” view. The system updates it periodically, even when the app is closed. The phone decides how often to refresh based on factors like screen state and battery. For example, a sports app might push a score change every few seconds during a game, while a weather app updates every 30 minutes.

On Android, there’s no single “Live Activity” API. Instead, apps use regular notifications with high priority or lock screen widgets that refresh on a schedule. Some manufacturers (like Samsung with One UI) have their own always-on display widgets. The result is similar: you see current info without unlocking.

How to Enable Live Updates on iPhone

To get live updates on an iPhone lock screen:

Update to iOS 16.1 or later (Settings → General → Software Update).
Open the app that supports Live Activities (e.g., a sports, delivery, or timer app).
When the app offers a live update (like starting a timer or tracking a delivery), it automatically appears on the lock screen.
To control which apps can show live updates: go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) → scroll to “Allow Access When Locked” and toggle “Live Activities.”
For per-app control: Settings → Notifications → [App Name] → toggle “Live Activities.”

Note: Some apps require you to start the activity manually (e.g., starting a workout in a fitness app). Others, like flight trackers, start automatically when you have a booking.

How to Enable Live Updates on Android

Android is more fragmented, so steps vary by phone. General approach:

Check that your phone runs Android 12 or later (Settings → About Phone → Android version).
For lock screen widgets: long-press the lock screen (on supported devices) or go to Settings → Lock screen → Widgets. Add the widget you want (e.g., weather, calendar).
For notification-style updates: ensure the app’s notifications are enabled. Go to Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Notifications → allow “Alerts” and “Lock screen.”
On Samsung devices: Settings → Lock screen → Widgets and “Always On Display” to choose which widgets show.

If your phone doesn’t support lock screen widgets, you can use an always-on display with notification icons, but you won’t get full live content.

Common Problems and Fixes

Live Activities not showing: Make sure the app supports it and that you’ve enabled it in Settings → Notifications → [App]. Also, check that Background App Refresh is on for that app (Settings → General → Background App Refresh).
Updates are slow or not refreshing: Battery Saver mode can pause Live Activities. Turn off Low Power Mode or add the app to “Allow” in battery settings.
Android widgets not updating: Some widgets only update when the screen is on. Check the widget’s settings—many have a refresh interval. Also, ensure the app isn’t force-stopped.
Privacy concern: Live updates are visible to anyone who sees your lock screen. Disable them for sensitive apps (like banking or messaging) in notification settings.

Privacy and Battery Considerations

Live updates are convenient, but they have trade-offs. They can drain battery because the phone wakes to refresh content. On iPhone, Live Activities are designed to be efficient, but heavy use (like a live sports game) will consume more power. Android widgets similarly refresh on a timer, which uses battery.

Privacy is another factor: your lock screen is visible to others. If you get sensitive notifications (e.g., a bank balance or a private message), consider turning off Live Activities for those apps or using a passcode that hides notification previews. On iPhone, you can set “Show Previews” to “When Unlocked” for specific apps.

Alternatives to Live Updates

If Live Activities or widgets aren’t available or you want more control, consider:

Regular notifications: Many apps send frequent updates as normal notifications. You can set these to appear on the lock screen, but they may be less glanceable.
Watch complications: If you have a smartwatch, you can see live info on your wrist without pulling out your phone.
Always-on display with icons: Some phones show app icons for unread notifications, but not content. Tap to see details.
Home screen widgets: Put a widget on your home screen—it updates even when you’re not looking, and you can see it when you unlock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do live updates work on any iPhone? Live Activities require iOS 16.1 or later, which supports iPhone 8 and newer. However, the Dynamic Island (the pill-shaped cutout) is only on iPhone 14 Pro and later; older iPhones show Live Activities at the top of the lock screen instead.

Can I turn off live updates for specific apps? Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings → Notifications → [App] → toggle off “Live Activities.” On Android, you can disable notifications for an app entirely, or on some phones, disable lock screen notifications for that app.

Why don’t my live updates update in real time? Most systems update every few seconds to minutes, not milliseconds. If it seems stuck, check your internet connection and battery saver mode. Also, some apps only update when the screen is on.

Are live updates a security risk? They are as secure as regular notifications. However, they can reveal information to someone who picks up your phone. Use a strong passcode and consider hiding sensitive content from the lock screen.

Do live updates work on Android tablets? Some Android tablets support lock screen widgets, but it’s less common. Most tablets don’t have an always-on display. You can still use home screen widgets.

Will live updates drain my battery? Yes, to some degree. The more frequently an app updates, the more battery it uses. If you notice significant drain, disable Live Activities for apps you don’t need constantly.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.