Google Pixel 6 just got big upgrades with new Feature Drop

Google Pixel 6
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Update 12/15: These updates have now rolled out to all Pixel phones. It's also been discovered that the Pixel 6 Pro (not the Pixel 6) could get Face Unlock enabled in future.

One of the best things about owning a Google Pixel 6 or older Pixel — at least according to Google — is the Feature Drops. These semi-regular updates bring Pixel-exclusive software features that stuff even more value into your phone, whether it's a new or old Pixel.

The latest Pixel Feature Drop has gone live, and if you own a Pixel 3 or newer, you'll have access to some, if not all, of the new features soon. Pixel 6 owners may need to wait another week.

The headline additions for this update are changes to Now Playing and Nearby Share. The former is the Pixel 6's ambient music identification feature, which tells you what's playing nearby. This update makes it easier to learn even more about whatever tune you're hearing, letting you manually search for a song rather than waiting for your phone to detect it automatically and letting you tap a button to save it to a favorites list in the Now Playing menu.

The Pixel 6's updated Now Playing feature

(Image credit: Google)

Nearby Share is the Android equivalent of Apple's AirDrop, allowing easy transfer of files to other local devices. The Pixel 6 Pro can now use Nearby Share with its built-in ultra-wideband chip (UWB), which means you can send stuff faster and more securely to other UWB-equipped Android phones.

Google's offering the ability to beta test a new feature for the Sound Amplifier accessibility app with this update called Conversation Mode. This promises to make talking in loud areas easier for those with hearing difficulties, by tuning out unwanted noise. This is still a work in progress however, and you can only use it if you sign up and agree for your data to be used for further research.

A GIF demonstrating Google Pixel series' Conversation mode for the Sound Amplifier accessibility tool

(Image credit: Google)

Quick Tap to Snap, a shortcut option mentioned by Google when it launched the Pixel 6, arrives in this update. This lets you assign your back double-tap shortcut to open the Snapchat app, handy if you're a heavy user of the photo-based messenger app. This feature also works on the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a.

The Google Pixel series' Tap to Snap feature

(Image credit: Google)

If you own a BMW car as well as a Pixel 6, you can now unlock your vehicle with a Pixel 6. Using the newly updated Digital Car Key feature within Android 12, you can tap a Pixel 6 on the door handle of certain BMWs made since 2020 to open them up, and then start the engine by holding the phone on the dashboard's key reader. This feature depends on the country you're living in, and Google hasn't said precisely which countries this will be available first.

On the more mundane side, you're getting some new options within the Pixel's settings menu. You're now able to change the length of time it takes to summon Google Assistant when holding a Pixel's power button, if you have a Pixel 3 or later model and are running Android 12. You can also adjust the bass of your Google Pixel Buds A-Series to a greater degree than before, over six different levels, by adjusting it in the updated Pixel Buds app.

The new bass level slider for the Google Pixel and Pixel Buds A-Series

(Image credit: Google)

The final software parts of the update are likely less relevant to our U.K. and U.S. readers. Google's car crash detection feature now works in three more countries (Italy, Taiwan and France), and the auto-transcribing Google Recorder app has gained support for three more languages (Japanese, French, German). 

Lastly, if your phone is in need of new wallpaper, Google has worked with disabled multidisciplinary artist Dana Kearly to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities by adding three new Pixel backgrounds.

Although there have been a number of notable Pixel 6 problems, we loved the well-priced but fully featured Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro enough to add them to our best phones and best Android phones guides. These exclusive updates make buying these phones if you're in need of an update, or hanging on to an older Pixel phone, all the more tempting.

Richard Priday
Assistant Phones Editor

Richard is based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, tablets, gaming, and whatever else people need advice on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he's also written for WIRED U.K., The Register and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he's likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty coffee.

Read more
Pixel Studio showing people illustration
Pixel Studio can finally generate people — and that's not the only change Google is bringing to Pixel phones
google pixel 9 review shots of phone
Google Pixel 9 just got one of the Samsung Galaxy S25's best AI features
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 beta 2 launches with better camera controls and more customization
OnePlus 13 back
OnePlus 13 just got its first major software update — which includes Google's Gemini Nano
Woman using the Now Playing feature on a Google Pixel phone
Google Pixel’s hidden music identification feature is broken — and fans aren’t happy
android 16 logo on a samsung galaxy smartphone
Android 16 beta just arrived — here are all the new features
Latest in Google Phones
close-up on cameras in a leaked Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a rumors — what Google’s planning as the iPhone 16e and Nothing Phone 3a ramp up the pressure
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review.
Google Pixel 10 just tipped for a new AI assistant called Pixel Sense
Google Pixel 9a render
7 ways Google Pixel 9a could blow away iPhone 16e
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a seemingly revealed in leaked video — here’s what we know
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a specs just fully leaked ahead of iPhone 16E launch
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a leak seemingly confirms design and colors — here’s the new look
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Friday, March 7 (#635)
Gboard app logo on mobile phone resting on a keyboard
Google Gboard redesign has already angered users — and I can see why
Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods (dressed in all pink) holding her dog Bruiser in Legally Blonde
Prime Video top 10 has 3 must-watch movies — including a classic Reese Witherspoon comedy
The Sling TV app button on the Apple TV home screen.
Sling just added 11 free streaming channels — here's what's you can watch
and image of the Google Chrome logo on a laptop
Google Chrome at risk from shape-shifting browser extensions — how to stay safe
YouTube Premium logo on a phone in front of YouTube on a browser
YouTube Premium Lite vs YouTube Premium: What's the difference?