development
Live Activities
Real-time, updating content displayed on the lock screen and Dynamic Island that keeps users informed about ongoing events from your app.
Live Activities are a feature introduced in iOS 16.1 that allows apps to display real-time, glanceable information on the lock screen and in the Dynamic Island. They are designed for events with a clear beginning and end, such as food delivery tracking, sports scores, ride-sharing progress, or workout timers. Live Activities use the ActivityKit framework and are powered by push tokens for remote updates.
How They Work
A Live Activity starts when triggered by an in-app event and displays an updating banner on the lock screen. On devices with Dynamic Island, the activity also appears as a compact or expanded view around the front camera area. Updates can be sent locally from the app or remotely via push notifications. Each Live Activity can run for up to 12 hours and remains visible on the lock screen for up to 4 hours after it ends.
Growth and Engagement Impact
Live Activities keep your app visible and relevant during time-sensitive moments, which drives re-engagement without relying on traditional push notifications. Users who interact with Live Activities are more likely to return to the app, improving retention metrics. For ASO, showcasing Live Activities in your app screenshots or preview videos signals that your app uses cutting-edge platform features. This can improve conversion rates and increase the likelihood of being featured by Apple, especially in categories where real-time updates are a core part of the user experience.