October 29, 2024 — Google is gearing up to introduce a major upgrade to the Android notification system with its forthcoming Android 16 update. Building on the foundation of recent notification improvements, Android 16 is expected to debut Rich Ongoing Notifications, an innovative feature allowing apps to create more informative and interactive notifications via the status bar.
This new feature, discovered in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release, lets apps display notification chips in the status bar, which can include icons, text, and customizable background colors. Much like screen recording chips introduced in previous Android updates, se Rich Ongoing Notifications are designed to keep users informed without cluttering the main screen or generating intrusive pop-ups. Early prototypes show how features could be used by various apps: for example, the Google Clock app could alert users to an impending alarm, Uber might show real-time updates on an approaching ride, and airlines could notify travelers of boarding times.
By tapping on the notification chips, users will be able to access more details through a pop-up dialog. This functionality is reminiscent of Apple’s Dynamic Island, a feature that displays contextual information in the iPhone’s status area. However, it’s worth noting that Android has previously supported limited status bar chip features, such as ongoing call durations in Android 12, which predated Dynamic Island.
Rich Ongoing Notifications API could open new opportunities for developers, allowing enhanced visibility for important, time-sensitive notifications. For instance, users might be able to quickly track workout stats from a fitness app, follow package delivery updates, or monitor streaming music services — all directly from the status bar. Currently, the Rich Ongoing Notifications feature is still in development and accessible only through hidden commands within the Android 15 beta release, indicating that Google has yet to finalize it for wider release.
Although still months away from Android 16’s anticipated release in mid-2025, Rich Ongoing Notifications could represent a significant evolution for Android’s user experience. By offering greater control over notifications and minimizing interruptions, Google aims to balance utility and user control in Android 16. This feature, if fully developed and adopted, could redefine the Android notification landscape, providing users with real-time, interactive status bar updates without overwhelming the main screen.
