Google Pixel users report Now Playing fails to detect music more often than not on Android 15

Google Pixel users are reporting that the Now Playing feature, known for automatically identifying music playing nearby, is no longer reliable after updating to Android 15. This issue has left many frustrated, especially those who relied on the feature for quick song identification.

One recent thread discussing the problem has garnered over 450 upvotes and over a hundred comments. Multiple users say Now Playing rarely detects songs, even in quiet settings with clear audio. When it does, the feature’s manual search often fails, showing a “No song found” message. Some have turned to alternative apps like YouTube Music, which reportedly identifies tracks within seconds.

The OP of the thread with a Pixel 8 Pro described Now Playing as “completely broken,” saying it worked fine before the update. The problem appears to affect a range of devices, including the latest Pixel 9 Pro and older models like the Pixel 5.

Interestingly, even Google’s manual sound search through the Assistant or Google app seems to be affected in similar cases. This suggests the bug might be tied to a broader issue with Google’s music recognition algorithms, rather than individual devices or mics.

That said, the problem isn’t even new. Multiple reports about issues with Now Playing have been popping up on the Issue Tracker. The main thread on the problem reveals that Google engineers admitted the problem began during the Android 15 beta. While an attempted fix was included before the stable release, it clearly didn’t resolve the issue.

The worst part is that even the latest December update doesn’t seem to offer any relief. Admittedly, I haven’t faced any problems with Now Playing on a Pixel 8 running the latest Android 15 Beta build or any previous build. On the contrary, I’ve been enjoying the feature, especially as the holiday season has got me listening to new music on the regular.

Some users have resorted to troubleshooting on their own. Clearing the cache and storage for the “Android System Intelligence” app appears to restore limited functionality. However, this solution is temporary, with detection issues returning after a while. A Reddit commenter also pointed out that clearing data might cause the song recognition database to fail to download over mobile data, further limiting the feature.

With no official timeline for a permanent fix, Pixel fans are left waiting and hoping Google will prioritize resolving the issue soon. Until then, many are turning to third-party alternatives for reliable music identification.