Summary

  • Google is working on a Quick Settings tile for manually triggering song identification on Pixel phones.
  • The new feature will allow users to manually search for a song when automatic identification fails.
  • The update found in the source code suggests the imminent arrival of the manual Now Playing shortcut.

Google has added many AI features to Pixel phones over the years, but one of the best remains the Now Playing feature. Now Playing runs silently on Pixel phones, automatically identifying songs playing around you and displaying them on the lock screen. However, there has never been a way to manually trigger Now Playing, but that feature could be coming soon.

A hand holding a Google Pixel covered by a red cloth with 'AI' written behind, and some AI sparkles around.

As spotted by app researcher AssembleDebug (via Android Authority), Google appears to be working on a Quick Settings tile for Now Playing. When enabled, it will finally allow users to manually trigger song identification on Pixel phones.

Pixel phones could soon get a faster way to identify music

Now Playing upcoming quick settings toggle

Source: Android Authority

According to the publication, when the feature rolls out, users will see a new Now Playing shortcut toggle in the Quick Settings menu, tapping which will begin song recognition. The core functionality will stay the same, but it will let users manually search for a song when Now Playing does not kick in automatically — similar to how Apple offers a Shazam-like shortcut for iPhones.

There have been past cases, as some Reddit users pointed out, when Now Playing would not activate automatically on Pixel phones. In such cases, users often have to rely on the Google app’s Song Search or use third-party apps like Shazam. This new feature should simplify the process.

The functionality was spotted in the source code of the Android System Intelligence app (version V.27.playstore.pixel7.757670605) but isn’t live yet. However, given its presence in the source code, it likely won’t be long before it arrives.

Besides the manual Now Playing shortcut, Google is also busy updating apps like Phone, Calendar, Photos, and Files with the Material 3 Expressive redesign.