This beloved Google Pixel feature is coming back You Should Know
Now Playing has improved a lot in recent times, having taken its rightful place on the Pixel home screen as a dedicated app. It’s even better now that a feature that was mysteriously cut has returned.
Earlier this year, Google weirdly removed Now Playing’s subtle notification system, which would helpfully ping you the identity of music tracks playing in the background.
Quite why Google deemed this feature superfluous is anyone’s guess, but it seemed to focus on turning it into a dedicated app with a new Quick Settings tile.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The important point here, however, is that the company has listened to complaints, and seemingly has returned the feature.
Over on Reddit, users have noted that Now Playing is once again sending track notifications. This has been confirmed by screenshot evidence.
It doesn’t seem to be a universal return as yet, with many users noting the continued absence of the feature on their Pixel phones.
But it does appear that Google is quietly and slowly returning the feature. It wouldn’t be the first time it has adopted such a low-key approach.
Exodia101 on Reddit
Why all the fuss about Now Playing?
Google’s Pixel phones are packed full of uniquely smart features, but there’s only one that I genuinely missed when I switched to using an iPhone 17 Pro on the daily around 12 months ago.
Now Playing is a spectacular little tool that listens out for music playing in the background. It’ll then log what it finds, ready to be consulted later when you’re hazily trying to remember that great track that was playing in the pub the previous night.
It’s a feature I make use of frequently whenever I’m using a Pixel, and returning to Shazam always feels like a huge comedown.
Now Playing is a little feature that has a positive effect on daily life, which is surely what the whole app thing should be about. That’s why details like this matter.
Pixel 11 update
Something that will matter less to most Pixel users, but which we should probably note nonetheless, is a new and unexpected firmware update.
Google Pixel 11 users are reporting a new 96MB update, labelled CD1A.260905.001.B1. It’s not the September Pixel Drop, but rather a smaller update that “fixes critical bugs and improves the performance and stability of your device”.
That’s the standard line when Google wants to fix some minor bugs or security issues. And goodness knows the Pixel 11 series needs it, as Anyron’s experience with the Google Pixel 11 Pro goes to show.
