When to use iOS Live Activity and Notification

iOS Live Activities and notifications are both ways to keep users informed about important events and information, but they have some key differences.

Live Activities are dynamic notifications that stay up-to-date on the Lock Screen, allowing users to keep an eye on things happening in real-time. They can be used to track things like sports scores, food delivery orders, ride-share arrivals, and more. Live Activities can also be used to interact with apps, such as pausing a music app or viewing a map of a food delivery route.

Notifications, on the other hand, are typically short, one-time messages that appear on the Lock Screen or in the Notification Center. They can be used to alert users to new messages, app updates, and other events. Notifications can also be used to interact with apps, such as replying to a message or opening an app.

Here are some examples of Live Activities and notifications:

Live Activity:

• Tracking the score of a live sports game
• Viewing the ETA of a food delivery order
• Fitness app showing a user’s current run time and distance
• Tracking the flight status

Notification

• Receiving a notification that a new email has arrived
• Receiving a notification that an app has been updated
• Receiving a notification that a friend has sent a message

Which one to use?

The best way to decide whether to use a Live Activity or notification is to consider the type of information you want to communicate to the user and how important it is for them to be able to see it at a glance. If you have information that is constantly changing and needs to be visible to the user at all times, then a Live Activity is a good option. If you have information that is less important or does not need to be seen immediately, then a notification is a good option.

You can also use both Live Activities and notifications to communicate different types of information to the user. For example, you could use a Live Activity to track the score of a live sports game and use notifications to alert the user to important events in the game, such as a goal being scored or a player being sent off.