Google's Now Playing app gets 1st update: Check what's new
04 Apr 2026

Google has rolled out the first update for its Now Playing app, which was launched in early March.

The updated version, 2026.03.24.x, is now widely available via Google Play Store after a gradual rollout over the past few days.

The release notes on the Play Store listing remain unchanged from before, hinting at possible bug fixes or improvements under the hood rather than major changes.

New lockscreen prompt and shortcut
UI changes

Some users have reported seeing the Now Playing icon with a "Tap to see what's playing" prompt under the fingerprint icon on their lockscreen.

This is similar to the previous version's feature that allowed users to search online if their Pixel couldn't identify a song playing.

The new design also includes a lockscreen shortcut and Quick Settings Tile as alternatives for accessing this feature.

A look at 'Tap to see what's playing' prompt
Feature speculation

The exact purpose of the "Tap to see what's playing" prompt remains unclear, as not all users are experiencing it.

It could be a way to let users know that tapping on this icon when a song name and artist appears can quickly favorite a song or open their music app.

This would also show cover art, enhancing user experience with the Now Playing app.

Future updates may bring more features
Update expectations

As of now, the update appears to be a minor one with no major changes or features.

However, it is worth noting that first-party apps usually get significant updates during Pixel Drops every three months.

So, we can expect more substantial improvements in the future for Google's Now Playing app on Pixel phones.