Notifications are essential for any operating system, especially Android, where apps often run in the background. To enhance the user experience, Google constantly refines notifications, aiming to make them more helpful and less distracting. In recent Android versions, all notifications became mutable, on-screen notifications were minimized during video playback, and outdated notifications were blocked.
With Android 16, even more improvements may arrive, as Google plans to introduce Rich Ongoing Notifications. As Android Authority reports, the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release included a new API that allows apps to display more than just status bar icons. Apps will be able to create chips with custom text and background colors in the status bar, similar to the new screen recording chips seen in a recent Android beta update. These chips are expected to open dialogs with additional information when tapped, offering a more dynamic interaction, notes NIX Solutions.
A Closer Look at the New API
Since the API is still under development, some details remain unclear. The feature is not yet available to developers, making it difficult to fully demonstrate how it will work. However, Google has provided a command-line tool to simulate what these Rich Ongoing Notifications might look like across different apps. Using hidden commands, users can create custom layouts with icons, text, and colors.
Some may draw comparisons to Apple’s Dynamic Island, suggesting that Google’s new feature takes inspiration from it. However, it’s important to note that status bar chips have been part of Android’s ecosystem for a while. For instance, Android 12 introduced an API allowing calling apps to display call durations in the status bar—predating Apple’s Dynamic Island by a year.
What to Expect with Android 16
The expansion of these tiles in Android 16 signals a significant enhancement. While the new design may feel familiar to iPhone users, it would be unfair to call it a direct copy. Since the feature is tied to a new API, it will likely only launch with Android 16, as Android 15 has already reached Platform Stability.
We’ll keep you updated on any further developments regarding Rich Ongoing Notifications as Google fine-tunes the API before the official release of Android 16.