How to turn off Live Activities on iPhone

What is a Live Activity?

It is a card that updates while something is in progress. It sits on the Lock Screen and, on iPhones with a Dynamic Island, in the island at the top. Apple introduced Live Activities in iOS 16.1, and apps use them for rides, food orders, timers, sports and tasks. The card disappears when the event ends.

How do I turn off Live Activities for one app?

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll to the app, or use the search field at the top.
3. Tap the app name.
4. Find Live Activities and switch it off.
5. Check that the card is gone by starting the task again.

How do I hide or end a single activity right now?

On the Lock Screen, swipe the card to the left and tap the clear button on versions that offer it. In the Dynamic Island, press and hold the island, then dismiss the activity from the expanded view if the app allows it. Some apps also end it when you finish the task inside the app. This removes one activity and keeps the setting on for next time.

Why do I see Live Activities I never asked for?

An app starts one when you begin something that has a start and an end: ordering food, sharing a trip or running a mission. The first time you do it, the app may ask your permission, or the setting is on by default. If it feels noisy, switch it off for that app. Others keep working.

Do Live Activities drain the battery?

They use some power because they update while a task runs. Apple limits how often an app can refresh them, and a card ends after a time limit, so the effect is small for most people. If your battery drops fast, check which apps use most in Settings, Battery, and turn off the heavy ones.

What does the Live Activity of Musse Buddy show?

While a mission is running, the title and progress, for example Step 2 of 4, appear in the Dynamic Island and on the Lock Screen. The status changes to Needs your OK when you must approve a step such as a drafted text, and to Done at the end. The card needs no setup and appears by itself.

If you prefer silence, switch Live Activities off for Musse Buddy in Settings. The missions still run and wait for you on the Missions tab. See widgets and Live Activity and missions.

How do I turn them back on?

1. Open Settings and tap the app.
2. Switch Live Activities on.
3. Start a new task in the app. The next event shows a fresh card.

Can I turn off Live Activities for all apps at once?

The reliable way is per app, as above. There is also a toggle for Live Activities in the Face ID & Passcode settings, which controls access from the locked screen. Look for the Live Activities entry under the section that allows access when locked, and check what your iOS version names it. This is a privacy setting: it hides cards on the locked screen without disabling them in the apps.

Which apps use Live Activities?

• Delivery and ride apps, to show the courier or the car on the way.
• Sports apps, with a live score in the island.
• Timers and the system clock, for a running countdown.
• Navigation and music apps, to show the next turn or the track.
• Task apps such as Musse Buddy, to show mission progress.

Why does a card stay after the task ends?

Cards remain for a short time after the end so you can see the result, such as Delivered or Done. They clear by themselves, usually within a few hours, because iOS limits how long an activity may stay on the Lock Screen. If one sticks, swipe it away. If it keeps returning, the app may have a bug, so update it or turn the setting off.

What if a Live Activity does not appear at all?

1. Check that Live Activities is on for the app in Settings.
2. Make sure the app is updated and iOS is 16.1 or later.
3. Start the task from inside the app again.
4. Check that Focus or Low Power Mode is not hiding updates; the card may update less often there.
5. Restart the iPhone if nothing changes.

Are Live Activities private?

They show information on the Lock Screen, which anyone can see. A delivery card with a first name or a mission title may be more than you want a stranger to read. Choose which apps may show one, and check whether the app gives a shorter version for the locked state. Musse Buddy shows a mission title and progress, so turn it off if your requests are private.

What if I turned them off by mistake?

Open Settings, find the app and switch Live Activities back on. If the option is missing, the app may not use them. Start a new task in the app and watch for the card. A card does not return to a task that already began, only to the next one.

Can I see a Live Activity on another device?

If you wear an Apple Watch, a Live Activity can appear in the Smart Stack on the watch while it runs. On an iPad, they show in the status area. If you do not want them on the watch, open the Watch app on the iPhone and check the notification settings for the app.

Should I turn them off?

Keep them for things that benefit from a glance: a ride, a timer, a delivery. Turn them off where they only repeat a notification. A good test is whether the card saves you a trip into the phone. If it does not, it is clutter.

For a wider tour of what sits on the Lock Screen, read how to add widgets to the iPhone Lock Screen.