How to Enable and Use Live Activities on iPhone

On iPhones, there is a lesser-known feature called Live Activities. Even if you've been using your iPhone for some time, you might not be aware of this functionality.

If you're interested in maximizing your iPhone's potential, Live Activities is worth exploring. Below, we explain what Live Activities are and how to enable and use them.

What are Live Activities on iPhone?

Live Activities on iPhones function similarly to widgets. They essentially provide Lock screen widgets that deliver real-time information updates.

These updates are displayed in convenient locations, such as the Lock screen, on your iPhone in Standby mode, and on the Dynamic Island.

By enabling Live Activities, you can receive instant information and features from compatible apps right on your lock screen.

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List of Apps that Support Live Activities

Not all apps on your iPhone are compatible with Live Activities. To take advantage of this feature, you'll need to use apps that support it.

You can search for "Live Activities" in the Apple App Store to find compatible apps. Here are some pre-installed apps that support Live Activities right out of the box:

- Maps

- Clock App (Only for Timers)

- Music App

- TV

- Voice Memos

How to Enable and Use Live Activities on Your iPhone

If you want to view information and features from compatible apps at a glance on your iPhone's lock screen, follow these steps to activate Live Activities:

1. Open the Settin app on your iPhone.

2. Once in Settings, tap on Face ID & Passcode.

3. Unlock your iPhone and scroll down to the Allow Access When Locked section.

4. Toggle the switch for Live Activities to enable it.

5. To test if the feature is working, open the Clock app on your iPhone and start a timer.

6. After starting the timer, lock your iPhone screen; you should see the timer displayed on your lock screen.

7. You can also use this feature with the Music app, allowing you to control playback directly from the lock screen.

If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or a higher model, Live Activities can utilize Dynamic Island to provide updates while you use other apps, with information appearing in a collapsed form at all times. Learn More