# Modifications to Live Activities in iOS 18: Essential Information
Apple’s Live Activities function, launched with iOS 16, has revolutionized the experience for developers and users. It facilitates live updates from apps to appear on the lock screen and Dynamic Island, offering immediate access to vital details. Nonetheless, recent developer feedback suggests substantial changes are on the horizon with iOS 18’s release, especially concerning update frequencies.
## The Challenge
Developer Nico recently took to social media to share his insights, indicating that his app, which monitors real-time cycling speed via Live Activities, has encountered restrictions on update frequency. In the past, he could refresh the live activity every second, but the arrival of iOS 18 has seen the interval increase to between 5 and 15 seconds. This adjustment means users might experience a lag in their bike speed readings of around 10 seconds, potentially diminishing the app’s functionality for those who depend on prompt feedback.
Apple has validated this change as deliberate. The company articulated that regular updates necessitate writing data to the device’s NAND storage, which can result in undue wear on the hardware. This issue is particularly pertinent this year, as Live Activities will also integrate with Apple Watch through iOS 18 and watchOS 11, requiring a more prudent strategy for data handling.
Notably, Apple has remarked that Live Activities were never meant to deliver “real-time experiences.” The company characterized the prior capacity for updates every second as a “hole in the API,” indicating that the feature wasn’t designed for such swift updates.
## Developer Discontent
The irony in this scenario is evident to developers. Nico noted that Apple’s own developer guidelines highlight his app’s use case as an illustration of how Live Activities can improve user experience by delivering real-time fitness data. This inconsistency raises doubts about Apple’s dedication to aiding developers seeking to build applications that utilize Live Activities for instantaneous feedback.
Although this modification won’t impact all Live Activities, it presents hurdles for particular scenarios that depend on real-time information. For example, applications featuring countdown timers, like ride-sharing platforms such as Uber and Lyft, will be unaffected. These applications generally send a single update for estimated arrival times, enabling countdowns to progress independently without mandating continuous updates from the app.
## Conclusion
Apple’s choice to restrict the frequency of Live Activities updates in iOS 18 represents a considerable shift that could affect specific applications, notably those reliant on real-time information. While the alteration aims to enhance device durability and performance, it brings forth significant implications for both developers and users.
As Live Activities evolve, developers will be required to adjust their applications in accordance with Apple’s updated guidelines. Users may see changes in their experiences, particularly those who depend on immediate updates for fitness tracking or other urgent activities.
Apple’s launch of Live Activities marked an advancement in enhancing user engagement and providing quick information access, but as the feature advances, striking a balance between performance and user experience will be vital.
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