Key Takeaways
1. The Google Pixel’s Now Playing feature identifies songs playing nearby and displays the title and artist on the lock screen.
2. A future update may allow the display of album artwork alongside song information on the lock screen.
3. Users can tap on the song title to unlock their phone and view more details, including a history of previously identified songs.
4. An upcoming feature includes a heart-shaped button for favoriting or removing songs from the favorites list.
5. The release date for the updated Now Playing feature is still uncertain.
The Google Pixel’s Now Playing feature may soon include album artwork. Right now, when a Pixel phone detects music playing nearby, this feature smartly identifies the song, displaying the title and artist on the lock screen. Users can tap the song title and unlock their phone to see more details. Additionally, the Now Playing history can be found in the phone’s settings, allowing users to favorite songs.
Update on Album Artwork
A recent report from Android Authority states that Google is developing the option to show the corresponding album artwork on the lock screen. This potential update to the Now Playing feature was found in a recent Android System Intelligence update. It appears that while the main layout will stay the same, users of Pixel phones will have the ability to tap on the song to expand the notification and see the album art displayed on the lock screen.
New Features Coming Soon
Moreover, it looks like tapping on the track will also show a heart-shaped favorite button, which can be used to add or remove a song from your favorites list. Users are expected to double-tap to view their Now Playing history. It is still unclear when or if Google will roll out this updated version of the Now Playing feature to Pixel phone users. Back in July 2025, Google surprised everyone with a Pixel Drop that introduced new Circle to Search features for the US and India, along with a complimentary one-year subscription to Google AI Pro for owners of the Pixel 9 Pro (Obsidian, 128 GB, unlocked, curr. $999 at Amazon).
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