Google has made its first update to the Now Playing app for Pixel devices, with version 2026.03.24.x now available on Google Play. This update follows an initial launch in early March and has been progressively rolling out over the past few days.
Although users have not reported significant visible changes, the update is believed to focus on bug fixes. Some users have noticed a new feature on the lockscreen, displaying the Now Playing icon along with the message “Tap to see what’s playing,” which may help users quickly access song information and music apps.
The redesign includes a lockscreen shortcut and a Quick Settings Tile that replaces the previous silent notification for song identification. However, not every user has experienced these changes, and replication has been inconsistent across devices. Future updates are anticipated, as significant enhancements typically align with quarterly Pixel Drops.