Introduced with iOS 16, Live Activities is a super-useful feature that shows real-time information on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. You can track the status of your food delivery, track your Uber ride, check the latest weather reports, or keep an eye on the sports score. That said, there can be instances when Live Activities for an app won’t show up on your iPhone’s lock screen or Dynamic Island. I’ve faced this quite a few times and know how annoying it is. Well, you need not worry as we’re here with 12 effective ways to fix Live Activities not working on iPhone. Without any ado, let’s move along!
Check If App Supports Live Activities
First, it’s essential to know that not all iOS apps support Live Activities. An app will only allow Live Activities if it can provide real-time information that benefits you. Common examples of such apps include Uber, Bolt, Uber Eats, Swiggy, Zomato, and Flighty. If Live Activities aren’t working for a specific app, it might not support that feature. To confirm, go to Settings, scroll down, and tap on the app. If you see the Live Activities option, it means the app supports this feature.
Additionally, keep in mind that some apps might require you to switch to a premium version to access Live Activities. If you suspect that Live Activities should work for a given app but aren’t functioning, follow the steps below to troubleshoot the issue.
Toggle Live Activities
If Live Activities aren’t appearing in the Dynamic Island on your iPhone, you will need to disable and then re-enable the feature. After updating to iOS 16.1, the Live Activities feature is switched on by default. However, if it stops working, a quick reset might resolve the issue. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Face ID & Passcode and enter your iPhone’s passcode.
- Scroll down and turn off the Live Activities toggle under the “Allow Access When Locked” section.
- Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
Ensure you allow Live Activities while your iPhone is locked; otherwise, they won’t be visible on the Lock Screen.
Check Internet Connection
For Live Activities to update, your iPhone needs a stable internet connection. If they aren’t updating, verify that your device is connected to either an active data plan or a stable Wi-Fi network. You can check this by trying to open a website in Safari; if it doesn’t load, your iPhone isn’t connected to the internet.
If you’re using Wi-Fi, try toggling the Wi-Fi, restarting your iPhone, forgetting and reconnecting to the network, rebooting the router, or resetting network settings. For mobile data, you can toggle Airplane mode, check your data plan, or contact your network provider if issues persist.
Turn On Live Activities for Specific App
When an app first asks you for permission to show Live Activities, ensure you select Allow or Always Allow. If you accidentally chose Don’t Allow, the app won’t display Live Activities on your iPhone. To rectify this, head to Settings and enable Live Activities for the app by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll to the list of apps and tap the app for which you want to enable Live Activities. On iOS 18, go to Settings -> Apps.
- Tap on Live Activities and switch on the Allow Live Activities toggle.
If you don’t see this toggle, the app likely doesn’t support Live Activities.
Check App Permissions
To receive Live Activities from an app, it’s crucial to grant all necessary permissions. For instance, to get Live Activities from Zomato or Uber, you need to allow them access to your location. If you haven’t done this, Live Activities won’t work properly on your iPhone. To check permissions:
- Open the Settings app, scroll down, and tap on the app. For iOS 18, go to Settings -> Apps and select the app name.
- Ensure the app has all required permissions enabled.
Allow Background App Refresh
Having Background App Refresh disabled can hinder your apps from fetching updated content. If Live Activities fail to show current information or don’t work at all, ensure Background App Refresh is enabled. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings -> General and select Background App Refresh.
- Ensure this feature is enabled for all apps you want to see Live Activities from.
- Tap on Background App Refresh and select Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
Don’t Force Quit the App
Force closing an app on your iPhone can stop Live Activities from updating in real-time. Make sure not to force quit any app from which you wish to receive real-time updates. If, for example, Uber Live Activities aren’t functioning, keep the Uber app open on your iPhone, whether you are actively using it or not.
If you think Live Activities are stuck, try opening the app to refresh the information. Sometimes, Live Activities won’t update until you briefly open the app. Periodically tapping the Live Activities banner can also help the app fetch the latest updates.
Disable Low Power Mode
Live Activities require more battery to update frequently. If you’ve enabled Low Power Mode on your iPhone, it may prevent Live Activities from updating or displaying live data. To fix this, turn off Low Power Mode and see if that resolves the issue.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner on the lock or Home Screen to reveal the Control Center and tap the battery icon.
- Alternatively, go to Settings -> Battery and disable Low Power Mode.
Restart your iPhone
Occasionally, minor software glitches may lead to Live Activities not functioning correctly. Restarting your iPhone can help reset temporary settings and resolve these glitches. To restart iPhones with Face ID, press and hold the Volume up/down button and the Side button until the power off slider appears. Then, drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. Once it’s off, hold the Side button to turn it back on.
Update Apps
For optimal performance, keeping your apps up-to-date is essential. Updating not only brings new features but also fixes bugs that could disrupt normal functionality. To ensure your iPhone automatically updates apps, navigate to Settings -> App Store and enable App Updates.
Update iOS
If updating apps didn’t resolve the issue, updating your iOS may be necessary. Apple frequently releases updates that include new features, security patches, and bug fixes to enhance the overall performance of your iPhone. To check for updates:
- Go to Settings -> General -> Software Update and allow the iOS to check for updates.
- If an update is available, download and install it.
Delete and Re-install the App
If all else fails, consider deleting and reinstalling the app that isn’t showing Live Activities. In rare cases, the app may become corrupted and malfunction. To rectify this, uninstall the app from your iPhone and reinstall the most recent version from the App Store.
After reinstalling, go back to Settings, tap on the app name, and ensure you allow all necessary permissions like location, notifications, and Live Activities. If the problem persists, you may want to explore alternative apps that provide similar functionalities.
By following these steps, you can effectively fix issues with Live Activities on your iPhone. These tips should help you enjoy real-time tracking on your favorite apps with ease. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out in the comments below.
