Google Pixel Update Brings Album Artwork and Music Player Features to Now Playing

Google is rolling out a major update for Pixel devices with the Enhance Now Playing feature, part of the December 2024 Feature Drop.

This update brings several exciting changes to the Now Playing feature, making it easier to identify songs and see album artwork.

What’s New in the Update?

The Enhance Now Playing feature replaces the old “Show search button on lock screen” setting. It now uses Google Search to identify songs that were not recognized before and shows album artwork.

This update improves the music recognition experience, making it more informative and visually appealing.

New Music Player Options

Along with album artwork, the update adds a “Default music player” setting. This lets you choose your preferred music app for playback when a song is identified.

You can now pick from options like YouTube, YouTube Music, Apple Music, and more. When you tap an identified song in your Now Playing history, a large “Play on [service]” button will appear, making it easy to open your chosen music app.

How to Access the Feature

To turn on Enhance Now Playing, go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Now Playing on your Pixel device. Once you enable it, your device will start identifying songs and show album artwork in your Now Playing history.

This update is available for Pixel 6 and newer devices running Android 15 QPR1 stable. It will be rolled out as a server-side update. To ensure you have the latest version, check if your Android System Intelligence is up to date (version V15) via the Play Store.

A Cleaner, More Streamlined Experience

The update also brings a cleaner look to the Now Playing feature. The homescreen shortcut is now simply called “Now Playing” instead of “Now Playing history.” The overflow menu has been simplified for a better user experience.

The Enhance Now Playing update is a great improvement for Pixel devices, offering better song identification, album artwork, and integration with music apps.

If you have a Pixel 6 or newer device, make sure to check for the update and enjoy the new features today!