The HiLight Studio application uncovers details that Google conceals regarding the RGB light on the Pixel 11 Pro, but it may not appeal to everyone.

      In addition to the new chipset, camera enhancements, and Gemini Intelligence, the Pixel 11 Pro has introduced a feature that generated significant excitement: the HiLight RGB light module located on the back.

      Before Google revealed this feature, I was genuinely enthusiastic about it, envisioning a range of potential applications; the light could serve as a discreet notification alert for users, without the need to immediately unlock the device. However, Google limited its functionality to two uses: Gemini interactions and calls from selected contacts.

      Tech content creator @Dhananjay_Tech (DhananjayBhosale) responded to this by developing an app called HiLight Studio, with a straightforward proposition: to unlock the full potential of HiLight by allowing integration with third-party applications, enabling users to have fun with it. After testing the app on a Pixel 11 Pro XL for a few days, I have some reflections on what HiLight can actually do and how much Google has left unexplored.

      Here’s where HiLight Studio comes into play

      The home page offers a variety of HiLight effects. The Rainbow effect is the most similar to what has been showcased in promotion materials, featuring modules that illuminate in a rotating gradient pattern. There are also five additional effects to choose from: Random, Comet, Pulse, Breathe, and Wave. While this section is labeled Live (at the bottom of the screen), the Style page to the right allows you to set HiLight as a continuous light source.

      You can customize the LED modules' lighting styles, including a gradient option (where you can select start and end colors), a breathing effect (with customizable timing per cycle), and more.

      There’s also an Apps section that allows you to specify how the HiLight module reacts to notifications from different apps. For example, I configured a Chasing green light for WhatsApp, set to activate "on notification" instead of "while open." You can also create specific rules for other apps such as Instagram, Messenger, Teams, Gmail, or Slack.

      This is where the hardware finally becomes relevant

      In my opinion, this is one of the most intuitive and natural applications of HiLight, and I hope it remains this way. The app genuinely enhances the appeal of Google’s HiLight module, transforming a mundane system feature into what I always envisioned: a glanceable notification system.

      However, there is a drawback: enabling wireless debugging prevents access to my daily banking and payment applications due to security concerns, which are understandable, not overly cautious. Consequently, while I appreciate HiLight Studio's functionality, I can't use it all the time. Moreover, the setup process to get the app functioning can be quite challenging for an average user.

      Accessing the unavailable features takes longer than necessary

      To get started, you must have two apps: HiLight Studio and Shizuku. First, activate Developer Options by tapping the build number seven times under “About phone,” as that's still the method for accessing settings in 2026. Then, enable wireless debugging, install Shizuku, connect it using the six-digit code presented in the notification, and hit “Start.”

      For those unfamiliar, Shizuku allows third-party apps to utilize first-party system permissions, which in this case refers to the HiLight module. It's only available on the Play Store for devices running Android 16, so it wasn’t accessible for my Pixel 11 Pro XL that runs Android 17, necessitating a sideload instead. Additionally, some may be aware that the app was recently compromised by RedHook malware, which might deter most users from installing it.

      Once you're through those steps, open HiLight Studio, go to Setup, and under “Privileged access,” select Shizuku. Don’t forget to grant notification access as well. If done correctly, you’ll see a confirmation message indicating "8 LEDs · Shizuku," followed by a final toggle next to “System has HiLight” that unlocks the available effects at the bottom.

      Achieving this is not as easy as it sounds

      It took me around 150 words to detail this process, and realistically, one would need about 10 to 15 minutes to set everything up — assuming familiarity with Developer Options and apps like Shizuku.

      The app functions correctly about 70 to 80% of the time, but occasionally a WhatsApp notification fails to activate the effect. Moreover, restarting the phone disrupts the connection between HiLight Studio and Shizuku, requiring reconnection to activate the lights again.

      I’d need to forfeit access to essential payment apps, keep wireless debugging enabled, and rely on a third-party service that may pose security risks, just to access functionality that Google could have included natively. These aren’t the kinds of hurdles a typical user would want to encounter on their smartphone.

      HiLight Studio illustrates what Google is overlooking

      I genuinely commend the app’s creator for allowing users to explore HiLight's true capabilities. Nonetheless, a third-party solution