Why Android 16’s live updates skip music apps

Google’s Android 16 brings a cool new feature called Live Updates, which shows tiny info bubbles, or “chips,” on your phone’s status bar. These chips give you quick glances at things like your food delivery or rideshare status. It’s a handy way to stay updated without opening apps.

However, music apps can’t use this feature, and here’s why.Live Updates are meant for short, urgent info, like when your pizza is arriving or if your ride is nearby. Music apps, though, handle stuff like song playback, which doesn’t fit this quick-update style. Google wants these chips to stay simple and not clutter your screen with controls for skipping tracks or pausing music.

That’s why media apps are left out.This choice makes sense but might disappoint music lovers who want quick controls up top. Instead, you’ll still use your music app’s interface or notification bar for controls.

Google Maps, for example, already uses Live Updates to show navigation info, which fits the feature’s purpose perfectly.In short, Live Updates in Android 16 are built for brief, time-sensitive info, not for controlling music. While it’s a bummer for some, it keeps the feature clean and focused. Expect more apps like delivery or travel services to use it soon.