Google has rolled out the first update to the Now Playing app on Pixel phones a month after launch. The update has version number 2026.03.24.x,
It is now available on the Google Play Store. The update appears to focus on behind-the-scenes fixes, as no visible changes were noticed for users, and Google did not update the release notes in the Store.
Some users noticed that the Now Playing icon appeared with the phrase “Tap to learn the song” below the fingerprint icon on the lock screen, which is similar to the previous version that allowed online searching if the phone was unable to recognize the song locally.
The update also introduces shortcuts on the lock screen and the Quick Settings Tile to make it easier to access favorite songs, launch the Music app, and see the album cover.
Bigger upgrades are expected to come in the future, especially with quarterly updates for Pixel phones.
