How Long Do iOS 16 Live Activities Last?

Apple's iOS 16 Live Activities can remain visible on the Lock Screen for a maximum total of 12 hours. This duration is split into two distinct phases: an active tracking phase that lasts up to 8 hours, followed by an ended or stale display phase that can persist for up to an additional 4 hours before the system automatically removes it.

The 8-Hour Active Limit

When an app starts a Live Activity, the system permits it to run and receive real-time updates for a maximum of 8 hours. During this window, the activity can dynamically update its UI to reflect ongoing tasks, such as sports scores, delivery statuses, or workout metrics.

If the user or the originating app does not explicitly end the Live Activity within 8 hours, iOS automatically terminates the active session to preserve battery life and system performance.

The 4-Hour Post-Completion Window

Once a Live Activity ends—whether manually stopped by the app, dismissed by the user, or automatically timed out after 8 hours—it does not immediately vanish from the Lock Screen by default. Instead, iOS transitions it into an "ended" state, where it can remain visible for up to 4 hours.

This post-completion window exists so users can see the final state of an event (such as the final score of a game or a completed delivery confirmation) without missing it. After this 4-hour period expires, the operating system purges the widget entirely.

Developer Control Over Dismissal

While 12 hours is the hard ceiling imposed by iOS, developers can configure Live Activities to disappear much sooner:

  • Immediate Dismissal: An app can instruct the system to remove the Live Activity immediately upon completion.
  • Custom Dismissal Policy: Developers can specify an explicit expiration date within the 4-hour window, such as keeping the widget on the Lock Screen for only 15 minutes after a ride-share trip finishes.
  • Manual User Removal: Users can swipe to dismiss a Live Activity from their Lock Screen at any point, overriding any remaining active or ended time limits.