Google Pixel Now Playing acts as a convenient feature that helps you identify songs playing around you automatically through the on-device library. Whenever any song is playing, it will appear on your Pixel lock screen. You can go back and see the complete list of songs that you’ve heard during the entire day. However, many users have reported issues with its manual search functionality, automatic music detection, etc. Fortunately, Google is coming with the fix soon, and till then, you can try some potential fixes for the issue.
However, before you proceed, make sure you’ve the latest Android version. This is because many such problems are usually resolved through OTA software updates. However, if you are still facing the same issue, you can try the following steps.
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Check Your Smartphone’s Microphone
Whenever Google Pixel Now Playing does not respond to any sound or music, you need to check for any persistent hardware issue, specifically with your smartphone’s microphone. You can test it easily using an app or a service which relies on voice input.
Let’s say you can use Google Assistant or an in-built sound recorder. To do this, you can open the Recorder app and begin recording your voice. If the sound waveform is not changing, there will be a high chance that your microphone will require cleaning or replacement.
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Make Changes in Google Pixel Now Playing Settings
Some users claim that they’ve restarted the Now Playing service and that the issue has been automatically resolved. It is because when you restart any service, it refreshes the service and eliminates if there is any temporary bug or glitch present.
Here are a few steps that you need to follow to change Settings.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Sound & vibration -> Now Playing.
- After that, you need to toggle off “Identify songs playing nearby.” It will turn off the service.
- Toggle on the service to restart Now Playing.
- After that, check if the music playing nearby has been detected.
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Clear Android System Intelligence Cache
There are some users who experience frequent crashes with the Android System Intelligence. So, if you clear the cache, it will fix many issues. By clearing the cache, you might get an answer as to why music detection on Now Playing and Circle to Search is not working properly.
You need to follow the below steps to clear the cache.
- Launch your smartphone’s Settings.
- Now, go to Apps -> Android System Intelligence.
- Choose Storage & cache.
- Click on clear cache.
- Restart your smartphone and check whether music detection works or not.
Go for an Alternative
If you have tried all the above-discussed methods and your issue is still not resolved, you can install an alternative app named Shazam. This app works perfectly on Pixel devices. However, one thing to note here is that it does not offer the simplified automatic music detection just like Now Playing. Also, keep in mind that installing Shaxam will not fix the Now Playing issue if the issue is hardware-related.
Restart Your Device
You can simply restart your Pixel device and check if Now Playing works or not. Sometimes, minor software glitches can affect Now Playing. So, restart can fix them. So, press and hold the Power button, then click on Restart. Once your phone is switched on, check if Now Playing works or not.
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Disable Battery Optimization
Battery optimization settings can affect background services such as Now Playing. Therefore, disable battery optimization. Here are a few steps that you need to follow to disable battery optimization.
- Open Settings -> select Battery.
- Click on Battery Optimization
- Choose All Apps. Search for Device Health Services.
- Change its settings to Don’t optimize.
Try Safe Mode
There are a few third-party apps which may interfere with Google Pixel Now Playing. So you can run your device in Safe Mode. It can help you find out if any apps are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps below to do it.
- Click and hold the Power button.
- Select Power Off until you see the Reboot to safe mode option.
- Click OK.
- Check whether or not Now Playing works in Safe Mode.
- If it works properly, you need to uninstall the recently installed apps and restart it normally.
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Factory Reset Your Pixel Device
If you have tried everything but still Now Playing is not working, as a last resort, you need to factory reset your Pixel device. Keep in mind that it will erase all your data, so take the backup before you proceed. You need to follow the steps below.
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Choose System -> Reset options
- Click on Erase all data
- After that, follow the on-screen instructions.
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Wrapping Up
Hopefully, the above-mentioned tips and tricks helped you resolve the issue. However, if your issue is not resolved yet, try using alternatives or wait for Google to come up with a fix.
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