> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.batch.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.batch.com/getting-started/other/faq/how-do-live-activities-work.md).

# How do Live Activities work?

Traditionally, updating a Live Activity required sending a push notification to each individual Live Activity token. Broadcast Notifications replace this by letting your backend send a single push notification to a channel, which APNs automatically delivers to every subscribed Live Activity. This significantly simplifies the direct integration of Live Activities for app developers.

{% hint style="info" %}
Batch Solution Experts can help customers implementing Live Activities the best way. Reach out to your CSM or Account Manager to learn more.
{% endhint %}

Here’s how it works:

* Your backend creates a channel using Apple’s server-to-server API. A channel represents a logical group of Live Activities for the same event (for example, a delivery or a football match). Apple returns a unique channel ID, such as `/xVpH==`.
* For testing purposes, channels can also be created from Apple’s Developer Portal.
* Your backend shares the channel ID with your app. When starting a Live Activity, the app passes this channel ID to iOS. The app does not need to upload or manage Live Activity push tokens—iOS handles the subscription automatically.
* Whenever the Live Activity needs to be updated, your backend sends a single broadcast notification to APNs targeting the channel ID. APNs then delivers the update to every device subscribed to that channel.
* Developers should delete channels that are no longer needed, as Apple enforces limits on the number of active channels.

Some useful links:

* [Setup Broadcast Push Notifications](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/usernotifications/setting-up-broadcast-push-notifications)
* [Create channels](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserNotifications/sending-channel-management-requests-to-apns)
* [Send pushes to channels](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserNotifications/sending-broadcast-push-notification-requests-to-apns)
* [WWDC 24 Video](https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2024/10069/)


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