What you need to know
- Google removed the manual search button in March, frustrating users when automatic detection failed.
- The latest update to the Now Playing app restores the “Tap to see what’s playing” option.
- The button activates a cloud search, allowing for broader and more accurate song recognition.
If you have a Google Pixel, you probably agree that Now Playing is one of those features that makes it difficult to switch to another phone. It’s cool to look at your lock screen and instantly see the name of that obscure indie song playing in a coffee shop, all without doing anything.
But recently, Google made a change to the interface that confused many users. when he Standalone Now Playing app launched in MarchThe manual search button has been removed, eliminating the only tool you need when automatic recognition isn’t working.
The good news is that Google listened. A new update is rolling out that brings back the “Tap to see what’s playing” message on the lock screen, as a Reddit user noticed (via 9to5Google).
Article continues below.
Offline recognition is great, until it’s not
For the uninitiated, Now Playing uses a database on your phone to identify songs, which helps protect your privacy and saves battery life. However, since this database only includes a limited selection of popular tracks, it often omits less common songs. The manual search button helps with this by launching a cloud-based search that can identify almost any song.
The latest version of the Now Playing app puts the manual search tool back on the lock screen right after your phone can’t automatically recognize a song.
Other than that, 9to5 didn’t notice any major changes after the update. This likely means that the release is mostly about background fixes rather than new features.
You can expect this update to reach all supported Pixel devices in the next few days. It’s a small step back in the right direction, but for people who love discovering music, it’s the best update this month.
Android Central’s opinion
I’m honestly glad Google finally fixed this issue, but we shouldn’t have to make a fuss just to prevent a basic feature from being removed. It’s frustrating to wait to celebrate the return of a button that should never have been removed. It feels a little like being asked to thank someone for giving you back your wallet when you no longer have half the money.
