New app unlocks full HiLight LED on Pixel 11 Pro

A new third-party app is unlocking the full potential of the HiLight LED on the Google Pixel 11 Pro series, a feature that launched with significant restrictions. Developer Dhananjay Bhosale has released HiLight Studio, an application that allows users to expand the rear notification light's functionality far beyond its default capabilities. The app enables the LED to work with any installed application and provides extensive customization for colors and patterns.

Out of the box, the HiLight feature on Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro Fold models is limited to two primary functions: indicating an active Gemini interaction when the phone is face down, and lighting up for incoming calls from designated favorite contacts. Users can only choose from five preset colors for call notifications. HiLight Studio fundamentally changes this by allowing the LED to be triggered by notifications from any app, such as messages or social media alerts. The app grants users control over colors, animations, brightness, and intensity, and includes features like a Quick Settings tile, wallpaper color syncing, and the ability to create and share custom presets.

However, using HiLight Studio requires a...