I didn’t really mind that the HiLight replaces the niche temperature sensor on the Google Pixel 11 Pro, even without its glossy limitations. For a notification light, it only managed the bare minimum, and in my time with the device it honestly faded into the background. Although Google may have more ideas planned for this new feature.
An Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5 build by Android Authority has revealed new code, suggesting that HiLight could soon alert you to messages from your favorite contacts. The same beta also adds four more color choices to the HiLight’s customization menu, bringing the total from five to nine. If both changes make it to a stable Pixel update, HiLight could finally reach the potential people expected before its launch.
HiLight could now contain messages
The corresponding code references (LIGHT_ANIMATIONS_SETTING_FAVORITE_MESSAGES_ENABLED) and a (LightAnimationsFavoriteMessagesController), displays message alerts specifically linked to favorite contacts. This matches Google’s existing plans. When HiLight debuted on the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Google said it intended to eventually expand the feature to messages from favorite contacts. Currently, HiLight can assign colors to incoming calls from favorite contacts and provide visual feedback while Gemini listens, thinks or reacts.
All this sounds great, but there are still some gaps that are not explained. The code does not specify whether messaging support will work exclusively with Google Messages or extend to services such as WhatsApp. It doesn’t seem like the current feature exists within beta software, so Google may just change its functionality or remove it completely before its release.
Oh and there are more colors too
HiLight currently gives Pixel 11 Pro owners five colors to work with. QPR2 Beta 5 includes four additional options that expand the entire palette to nine colors: blue, cyan, green, orange, pink, violet, blue, white and yellow. Unlike before, you can set different colors for individual people with HiLight, so you know exactly who is calling or who has sent a message.
Previously, the limited options allowed you to group several people together, but this gives users more flexibility. I already prefer HiLight to the temperature sensor it replaced. So message support would make this new feature much more weighty. Many felt it was underwhelming, and I can see why. Being limited to calls, and only activating when they meant to be down, meant that for some users the feature became essentially invisible. I just hope Google ships it soon.