Article Summary
This article explains how Live Activities on iPhone and Live Updates on Android let you track on-chain bitcoin sends and receives from your Lock Screen, and how to turn them on if they've been turned off.
You can follow your on-chain bitcoin send and receive transactions from your phone's Lock Screen without opening the River app. On iPhone, this feature is called Live Activities. On Android, it is called Live Updates.
Live Activities and Live Updates do not appear for Lightning payments, bitcoin auto-withdrawals, or River Link sends.
- How do Live Activities work on iPhone?
- How do I enable Live Activities on iOS for my River app?
- How do Live Updates work on Android?
- How do I enable Live Updates on Android for my River app?
How do Live Activities work on iPhone?
Live Activities on River allows you to track your bitcoin send and receive transactions directly on your iPhone Lock Screen or Dynamic Island (on supported Apple devices). This enables you to check the status of your transaction from your Lock Screen without needing to unlock your iPhone.
Live Activities are turned on by default on iOS, so most people won't need to change any settings. The first time River starts a Live Activity, iOS will ask whether you want to allow Live Activities from River, just tap "Allow." You only need to follow the steps below if you previously denied or turned off Live Activities for the River app.
When you initiate a bitcoin send or River detects an incoming bitcoin receive, a Live Activity automatically appears on your Lock Screen if Live Activities has been enabled. If your device supports it, it will also appear in the Dynamic Island. The Live Activity will end once the transaction has been completed.
The Live Activities feature requires an iPhone running iOS 18 or later. Dynamic Island is supported on iPhone 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 15 series or newer.
How do I enable Live Activities on iOS for my River app?
Please note that Live Activities are likely already enabled for your River app by default. However, if you denied notifications from River, you will need to visit your phone settings to enable Live Activities again.
Step 1: Tap "Settings"
Tap the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Allow Live Activities when locked
Tap "Face ID & Passcode" and make sure Live Activities are allowed when the phone is locked (Live Activities can be found under the "Allow Access When Locked" section).
Step 3: Turn on Live Activities for River
Tap "Settings," then "River," then "Live Activities," and then turn on "Allow Live Activities."
Once these settings are enabled, River will automatically show Live Activities for bitcoin send and receive transactions.
Please note that you can turn off Live Activities for River at any time. To do so, tap "Settings," then "River," then "Live Activities," and then turn off "Allow Live Activities."
How do Live Updates work on Android?
When you initiate an on-chain bitcoin send or River detects an incoming on-chain bitcoin receive, a Live Update automatically appears with your notifications. It shows your transaction's status and, when available, a progress bar and the estimated completion time. The Live Update changes as your transaction moves forward. If your phone shows notifications on the Lock Screen, the Live Update appears there too.
Once the transaction has been completed, the Live Update shows the completion time and you can swipe it away.
When available, tap "Hide amount" on the Live Update to hide the bitcoin amount. Tap "Show amount" to show it again.
Live Updates require Android 11 or later and River app version 7.479.0 or later. On Android 16 or later, a Live Update can also appear as a River icon in the status bar at the top of your screen.
How do I enable Live Updates on Android for my River app?
Please note that Live Updates usually appear automatically if you allow notifications from River. If you don't see Live Updates, check the settings below.
Step 1: Open River's notification settings
Open your phone's "Settings" app, tap "Notifications," then "App notifications," and then "River."
Step 2: Turn on notifications for River
Make sure notifications for River are turned on.
Step 3: Turn on "Bitcoin transfer progress"
Tap "Notification categories." If "Bitcoin transfer progress" appears, make sure it is turned on. This category appears only after River first tries to show you a Live Update.
Step 4: Turn on "Live updates" (Android 16 or later)
If your phone runs Android 16 or later, go back to the River notification settings and make sure "Live updates" is turned on.
Once these settings are enabled, River will automatically show Live Updates for on-chain bitcoin send and receive transactions.
Please note:
- Menu names may differ depending on your phone's manufacturer.
- You can turn off Live Updates for River at any time. To do so, turn off "Bitcoin transfer progress" using the steps above.