Google has expanded HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro to support WhatsApp messages from VIP contacts. The rear notification LED previously worked with calls and Google Messages, giving the feature another first-party-compatible messaging option.
Pixel product director Shenaz Zack confirmed the WhatsApp integration in a post on X. The feature appears to be associated with Android 17 QPR2, so users who do not see the setting may need to update their phones first.
The Pixel 11 Pro launched in August, but HiLight’s native app support remains limited three months later. The following major apps have not received the same built-in treatment:
- Telegram
- Signal
- Snapchat
Users seeking broader coverage can turn to HiLight Studio, an open-source third-party app that can configure light alerts for any app and assign a different effect to each one. It also includes presets for app groups, which can then be adjusted for frequently used services.
WhatsApp support makes HiLight more useful for a major messaging platform, but its practical value will still depend on whether Google expands native integration beyond its own apps and a small set of services.
