Apple adds new widget to deliver real-time US Election updates on iPhones

The new widget will be available for iOS 17 and later. The feature is rolling out for US users over the course of Election Day. 

In Short

• Apple announces a new widget in the Apple News that delivers real-time US election updates
• Users can customise the widget’s size and position
• The feature is exlusive to US users for now

Apple is making it easier for iPhone users to keep up with the US Elections, taking place today. The tech giant has launched a new widget in the Apple News that delivers real-time election updates. Announced on Tuesday, the widget is designed to provide users with a streamlined way to track election results, candidate news, and key developments directly from their home screen.

The widget, available to iOS 17 and later users, will update automatically to reflect breaking news and important changes as they unfold. It promises to be a vital tool for those closely following the election process, whether it’s national race predictions, state-level voting trends, or live updates on key battleground states. Users will be able to customise the widget’s size and position, offering a flexible way to stay engaged without interrupting their usual phone activities. The feature is rolling out for US users over the course of Election Day.

Apple initially launched Live Activities to creatively utilise the Dynamic Island, offering users live, real-time updates for a variety of events. It quickly became popular for tracking music playback, sports scores, and ongoing calls. Now, just in time for the 2024 US elections, Live Activities is expanding its role to provide live election updates, keeping users informed as the results unfold.

US Election: How to enable live-tracker on iPhone?

To enable the live updates for the US election results via Live Activity, start by opening the Apple News app. Look for the prominent "Follow the 2024 election live" banner at the top of the page or under the "Top Stories" section. If the banner is not visible, navigate to the "Election 2024" section in the menu. Once you tap on the banner, a notification will confirm that the Live Activity has been activated. If you wish to disable it, simply tap the banner again, and the scheduled updates will be turned off.

Live Activities will be available on both iPhone and iPad lock screens, with devices featuring the Dynamic Island offering a unique, enhanced interface. Apple Watch users can also access the real-time data through the widget view. Earlier this year, Apple News used Live Activities to provide real-time updates during caucus results, and the feature proved to be a helpful tool for tracking the events.

Given the higher stakes of the US election, this feature will offer a convenient way for users to view up-to-the-minute results without getting caught up in potentially divisive news coverage.

It's still unclear how long Apple News will keep the Live Activity running, as it may take days for initial results to be called. The 2024 election could serve as an important test of how users engage with this feature and how well it performs after extended use.