Google Launches Standalone Now Playing App for Pixel

Google has launched a standalone app for its Now Playing feature, transforming the long-standing automatic song identification tool from a hidden system setting into a dedicated application available on the Google Play Store for Pixel devices.

The update, which began rolling out recently, allows Pixel users to access Now Playing more easily without navigating deep into device settings. Previously integrated into Android System Intelligence, the feature now operates independently, enabling quicker updates separate from major operating system releases. It remains exclusive to compatible Pixel phones, preserving one of the device's signature capabilities.

Now Playing, introduced in 2017, passively recognizes songs playing in the user's surroundings and displays the title and artist on the lock screen. Unlike third-party apps such as Shazam, it functions offline by storing a database of song fingerprints directly on the device, eliminating the need for internet connectivity or audio uploads to servers. Users can view a searchable history of identified tracks, a functionality that was previously buried under multiple menu layers.

The new app introduces a modern interface with a...