Katarzyna Petru
Google is quietly testing a new feature in Maps that could solve one of the most annoying situations during travel. Live Updates are designed to pin navigation on the screen, so that route information doesn't disappear or get hidden amongst other notifications.
How does it work?
Instead of short-lived notifications that often drop down the list or disappear after a moment, Live Updates keep tips in a consistent place. This way, you can check the remaining travel time or route at a glance – even if you switch to another app. This is particularly useful for drivers who are using multiple functions of their phone while on the road.
Who can see this now?
The first mentions appeared a few days ago on X, and then more reports started coming in from users of Pixel and Samsung smartphones running Android 16 QPR2 beta. Importantly, this is not just a test in the Canary version – Google is gradually expanding access to the new option.
Not yet for everyone
For now, Live Updates only works for a handful of people, indicating very limited testing. A full rollout may take some time, but if the option makes it to all devices, it will be one of the more practical additions to Google Maps in years.
