GoKawiilGoogle may restore Now Playing notifications on Pixel phones
Google is reportedly working to bring back the notification feature for its Now Playing music-recognition app on Pixel devices, according to code found in the latest Android System Intelligence app for Pixel 11 devices. The feature was removed earlier this year when Google gave Now Playing its own dedicated app, breaking workflows that relied on notifications to log tracks into services like Last.fm. Code strings also hint at upcoming support for multiple user profiles, each with its own track history.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Now Playing has long been a signature Pixel feature, and losing notification support alienated users who depended on it for third-party integrations. Restoring the feature alongside multi-user support suggests Google is responding directly to user backlash rather than treating the redesign as final, which could shape how future Pixel software updates handle community feedback.
- Now Playing notifications were removed in a March update but may be restored soon.
- Code in Android System Intelligence for Pixel 11 hints at a toggle to re-enable notifications.
- Google also appears to be adding multi-user support with separate track histories per account.
Google Pixel 9 — Now Playing is a Pixel-exclusive perk, and the Pixel 9 is the easiest way to get it — ambient song ID running quietly in the background, no app needed. It's the phone this whole story revolves around, and it keeps getting Google's feature updates first.
See Google Pixel 9 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “Now Playing on Pixel may be getting its big missing feature back”
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