Watch live updates of the 2024 US election on your iPhone Lock Screen – here’s how

Election Day it’s finally upon us, with millions of Americans heading to the polls to decide who will be the next President of the United States. For many, today means throwing away your vote, to turn off your phone, and spend as long as possible in blissful ignorance of the results. For others, it’s a day to stay glued to their device, eagerly checking every live update as the votes are tallied.

Although it can be a tumultuous time no matter what you do, tracking the results of the 2024 US presidential election at least it will be easier for iPhone users. Apple News delivers real-time election updates to your Home and Lock screens with its Live Events feature, allowing users to stay informed without having to log on to news websites. Whether this is a blessing or a curse depends on your perspective.

Apple News’ Live Activities feature for the 2024 US election will prominently display a widget on your Lock Screen, showing real-time election counts as they’re updated so you can keep up with the race without unlocking and unlocking your phone. It will also provide such updates on your home screen, with Apple Insider reports that they will be shown in Dynamic Island. Apple Insider also reports that the lock screen widget will be interactive, taking you directly to the latest election coverage.

Here’s how to get presidential election updates on Apple News’ Live Activities.

What you need

• iPhone 14 Pro or later running at least iOS 16.1

• or an iPad running at least iPadOS 17

Step 1: Open the Apple News app.

Credit: Kimberly Gedon / Mashable screenshot: Apple

Step 2: You should see a prominent notification that says, “Follow elections live.” Tap the big red “Follow Live” button at the bottom of your phone screen.

If the notification doesn’t appear, you can also turn on Live Actions for the US election by tapping “Following” in the lower right corner of the Apple News app, scrolling down to “Special Coverage,” and tapping “Election 2024.”

Credit: Kimberly Gedon / Mashable screenshot: Apple

Step 3: You will be taken to a page with a banner that says “Follow the 2024 election live.” Tap, and you should be good to go.

You can’t tap on said banner yet, though. Apple News Live Events will only start from Election Day, Nov. 5, when Apple Insider reports that it will start late in the day.

This feature is also available only devices that support Apple News Live Events. Specifically, you’ll be able to make updates on the US election through Live Actions if you have an iPhone 14 Pro or later. at least iOS 16.1or iPad with iPadOS 17 at least. You’ll only be able to get Dynamic Island on your phone, as we’re still waiting for this feature to come to iPads. Finally, it’s important to note that Apple News itself is not available in all regions; For a full list of availability by country or region, go here.

Additional reporting by Kimberly Gedon.