**Live Activities in iOS 26: Improvements and Fresh Features**
Live Activities have emerged as one of the most valued features on the iPhone, and with the latest advancements in iOS 26, their capabilities have broadened considerably. Here’s a comprehensive summary of what’s been added and refined.
### Fitness App Incorporates Live Activities for Workouts
Once limited to the Apple Watch, running workouts are now fully integrated into the Fitness app on the iPhone, particularly with the addition of heart rate tracking in AirPods Pro 3. A standout upgrade in iOS 26 is the automatic launch of Live Activities anytime a workout commences. Whether you start your workout on your iPhone or Apple Watch, a Live Activity will display on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, facilitating easy monitoring of your workout duration and the option to pause exercises as required.
### Scheduling Live Activities for Future Use
Building upon last year’s feature in the Sports app, iOS 26 introduces a new developer API that allows third-party applications to schedule Live Activities. This means that Live Activities can now automatically activate at predetermined times, such as the start of a game, opening opportunities for creative applications across different platforms.
### Live Activities for Wallet’s Revised Boarding Passes
The Wallet app has received major enhancements in iOS 26, including upgraded boarding pass functionalities. One of the main improvements is the addition of Live Activity support for boarding passes, permitting users to access vital flight information directly from their Lock Screen. Furthermore, these Live Activities can be shared, allowing users to transmit flight tracking details to friends or family.
### CarPlay in iOS 26 Introduces Live Activities
Apple has concentrated on enhancing Live Activities across various platforms, and with iOS 26, CarPlay now includes this functionality. Live Activities from your iPhone will smoothly sync with the CarPlay Home Screen, enabling users to keep track of a range of activities such as flight updates, food deliveries, and sports scores while driving.
### Mac and iPad Also Support Live Activities Now
In a notable development, Apple has brought Live Activities to Mac and iPad through macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26. Each platform offers a distinct experience:
– **Mac**: Live Activities from the iPhone will be available in macOS Tahoe as an extension of iPhone Mirroring. Users can access Live Activities in the menu bar and expand them for additional information.
– **iPad**: Live Activities are integrated into the new Background Tasks feature, which is especially beneficial for professionals engaged in demanding tasks like video exports. Users can monitor these activities without having to keep the app open.
### Conclusion
The updates to Live Activities in iOS 26 signify a major progression of this feature, enhancing its versatility and integration within Apple’s ecosystem. Whether for fitness tracking, event scheduling, travel monitoring, or multitasking on Mac and iPad, Live Activities are poised to significantly enrich user experience. Which new features are you looking forward to the most?
