HiLight is one of the main highlights of the recently launched Pixel 11 Pro phones. It's basically a modern version of notification lights that were present in some classic smartphones like the Galaxy S9.
HiLight currently performs only two actions in the latest Pixel phones. Fortunately, that has changed now, as it now works with Google Messages as well.
Google Messages now works with HiLight
HiLight on Pixel 11 Pro phones works only in two scenarios: when you receive calls from your favorite contacts and when you are interacting with Gemini. But Google has expanded the feature to the Google Messages app as well in the November Pixel Drop. When the device is resting face-down, HiLight will illuminate when you receive a message from one of your favorite contacts.
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Has your opinion of the Pixel HiLight changed after it received Google Messages support?
Is this enough?
Google heavily advertised the HiLight feature in the Made by Google event. However, most users are apparently not liking it as much as the company would have expected. I was able to spot plenty of posts and comments on online community forums like Reddit with users basically saying that the feature is really half-baked.
User experience with Pixel HiLight | Image by Reddit
One individual commented that it's the most pointless capability they have seen on a phone. Another user mentioned that even though they love their pixel, they believe that HiLight is the most half-assed feature they have seen from the Big G.
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PhoneArena reader's thought on the Pixel HiLight. | Image by PhoneArena
When Google Messages support for HiLight was first spotted in the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1, I asked our readers to tell us what they think about Pixel HiLight. Shockingly, literally no one voted for the option that said that the function is great in its current form. Almost 52% of votes were received by the option that said that Google needs to improve it, while other votes were cast to the option that said that "it is the last thing I care about in the latest Pixel phones."
It can still get better
I really like the idea of Pixel HiLight, but not that it works only with two first-party apps, three if you also count Gemini. It would have been a lot better if it supported third-party applications like Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and more. Hopefully, the tech giant will expand the support to these apps as well very soon. Until then, you can rely on unofficial solutions like HiLight Studio.
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Aman Kumar is a news writer at PhoneArena covering Google Pixel phones, Android features, AI-powered smartphone tools, and mobile tech news. Before joining PhoneArena, he spent over five years writing about consumer technology for publications like MakeUseOf, How-To Geek, and Guiding Tech. His current daily drivers are the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus, while his red iPhone SE (2nd gen) remains a personal favorite. Aman also appreciates bold smartphone experiments and still considers the Nokia N-Gage one of the industry’s most iconic designs.
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