Google has introduced a new “Now Playing” lock screen shortcut in the latest Android Canary build, giving users another quick way to identify unknown songs around them.
The feature was spotted in the first public release of Android Canary, Google’s early access version of Android for developers and advanced users.
This build is currently available for Pixel 6 and newer devices. However, Google warns that Canary versions may be unstable, so most users might prefer to wait for a more polished release.
Android has allowed users to set lock screen shortcuts since Android 14, with options like Wallet, Home controls, and the camera. The new “Now Playing” shortcut adds to that list, making it easier to identify songs directly from the lock screen without having to unlock the phone or navigate through menus.
Google has provided music recognition tools for Android users for years, particularly through the Now Playing feature on Pixel phones.
Although it has sometimes faced reliability issues, Google appears to be working to improve the system. Recently, the company added a Quick Settings tile for faster song identification, and this new lock screen shortcut continues that effort.
At the moment, the “Now Playing” shortcut is only available in the Canary version of Android. It’s unclear when it will arrive in the stable release, but it’s likely to become a convenient option for music lovers in future Android updates.
