Pixel phones used to have a toggle underneath the volume slider that would enable the Live Caption feature. With Live Caption, subtitles would automatically appear on the screen showing what was being said during a phone call, video, podcast, and any audio message. Obviously useful for those with a hearing disability, it also comes in handy when you are trying to listen to audio in a noisy environment.
Google makes a bad move
Having the Live Caption toggle under the volume slider makes sense but last year Google made an unfortunate change that affects Pixel users. With Android 15 Beta 2, Google moved the Pixel's Live Caption toggle. Now, to enable Live Caption, a Pixel user needs to press the up or down volume button and tap the three-dot icon underneath the volume slider. That takes you to another page where you tap the Settings button at the bottom left of the screen. Scroll down to the Audio heading and you'll find a line titled Live Caption. Tap on the listing and you'll be taken to a Live Caption page where you can toggle on the feature.
Yes, this is a lot more convoluted process and about a year ago, a Pixel user made this clear on Reddit when he wrote, "Just having one tap to activate live caption was such a great way. I understand, it's just couple more steps now but I personally found it using less." Perhaps it wasn't written so clearly, but we know what he was saying. Another Reddtor said what he and other Pixel users were feeling frustrated about when he wrote, "Yeah I really miss it, I'm hard of hearing and I really hate having an accessibility tool being hidden under more menus now."
First two images show how to get to the Live Caption toggle on a Pixel. The last image shows the upcoming placement of the toggle. | Image credit-Android Authority
Google, known for making constant UI changes to Android and its apps to improve the user experience, hopes to make amends with Pixel users by bringing the Live Caption toggle back to the Pixel volume slider. With the latest Android Canary build 2509, the Live Caption toggle is right below the volume slider again. Tap the Live Caption icon (which looks like a box with text written on it) and you'll be sent to the toggle right away.
For those unfamiliar with Android Canary, it's a "bleeding edge" pre-release version of Android that is far from being stable. It shows you work being done to the operating system well in advance. Android Canary subscribers can receive the updates OTA (over the air) except for the initial installation which will require you to use your desktop computer and Android Flash Tools.
At least Google is righting a wrong
So eventually, Pixel users will get the Live Caption toggle back under the volume slider allowing them to turn on the much appreciated tool without having to make the extra steps that they need to do now. And once this feature reappears, you'll be able to disable Live Caption if it gets in your way by going to Settings > Accessibility > Live Caption. Turn off the toggle for "Live Caption in volume control."
Are you happy to see this toggle return to its old location?
Yes. The upcoming change will make things easier.
100%
No. It's because I really don't care.
0%
Personally, I like to see Google continually playing around with the Android UI on my Pixel. After all, that is the point of owning a Pixel phone (although for some it might be the photography). I always liked the idea of having the first crack at installing upcoming Android builds and new features.
Recommended Stories
Those with Android Canary 2509 installed have the Live Caption toggle returned to the spot underneath the Pixel volume slider. As for those running the stable version of Android 16, don't expect to see the toggle's return soon since it is just in Android Canary right now. In theory it could show up next in a future Android 16 QPR beta release. Right now, my Pixel 6 Pro is running Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1 without the Live Caption toggle returning to its previous location.
"Iconic Phones" is coming this Fall!
Good news everyone! Over the past year we've been working on an exciting passion project of ours and we're thrilled to announce it will be ready to release in just a few short months.
"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" is a must-have coffee table book for every tech-head that will bring you on a journey to relive the greatest technological revolution of the 21st century. For more details, simply follow the link below!
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: