The Pixel’s “Now Playing” feature has transitioned into a standalone app with the recent March Pixel Drop, marking a significant evolution from its previous integration within Android System Intelligence. This new song identification app not only enhances user experience with a dedicated hub for music discovery, but it also allows users to manage and listen to their song history across various music services. However, the rollout was not without its challenges, as several users encountered issues shortly after the app’s launch.
Reports began to surface regarding the absence of the “Tap to see what’s playing” feature on the lock screen, alongside problems with syncing the Now Playing history. Fortunately, it seems that Google has responded to these concerns with an update aimed at resolving the glitches. Users who faced these issues are now receiving notifications about the app’s improvements, with some confirming that the lock screen feature has returned. Nevertheless, it appears that not all users have benefitted from this update yet, as discussions in various forums reveal that some are still experiencing the same problems.
Addressing User Concerns
For those who have encountered difficulties with the Now Playing app, Google has provided a troubleshooting guide to assist users in navigating these issues:
- Not seeing Now Playing features after downloading the app? Ensure that the necessary system services are enabled. If you previously disabled any Now Playing services, your song history and favorites will not be available until reactivated. To enable, navigate to Now Playing > Settings > Use Now Playing.
- Why is the app not identifying songs automatically? It may take up to 24 hours for the app to download song fingerprints after installation. Additionally, confirm that Battery Saver is turned off and that Android System Intelligence has the required microphone permissions.
- Why did my song history disappear? If your song history is missing post-update, it may require up to 24 hours to reappear. If the issue persists, check if the Now Playing app is enabled. If not, enable it to restore access to your song history. Remember to regularly use the heart icon to “Favorite” songs to ensure they are saved to your account across devices.
- How do I export and import songs between Pixel phones? Currently, bulk downloads and saves are not supported. However, users can manually export songs by accessing Now Playing History > selecting each song > tapping the Share icon. For transferring to a preferred music app, open the song in that app on the original Pixel device and save it to a playlist.
In terms of compatibility, Google has indicated that many of these issues stem from the March software update. Users who have not yet installed the update may encounter messages indicating incompatibility with their devices. The app also requires a full 24 hours to set up correctly on your device, so patience may be necessary for optimal functionality.
