How to use the media controls on your Chromebook when it's locked

Spotify Pixel Slate Hero
Spotify Pixel Slate Hero (Image credit: Android Central)

It can be annoying when you're listening to something on your Chromebook only to have it lock. Then, you have to unlock it in order to control the content. Back in late 2019, Google pushed an update to Chrome OS, which added a new Media Control Widget to the lock screen of your Chromebook. This works with all of the big hitting apps like Spotify and YouTube Music, but it can also control media being played back through the Chrome browser.

How to lock your Chromebook and control media

  1. Open the app that you wish to play media from on your Chromebook.
  2. Tap the notification box in the bottom toolbar.Source: Android Central

  1. Tap the Lock icon to lock your Chromebook.
  2. A media control widget will appear with controls for whatever you are listening to.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

This new media control widget gives you all the control you'll need to listen to your music, podcasts, and more. There's the traditional Play/Pause button, Previous and Skip buttons, along with a Seek Forward and Seek Backward button. Plus, you can "scrub" the song or podcast and skip around to find something specific. When you're done, just move your cursor over the widget and tap the X icon that appears in the top right-hand corner of the widget. oh l

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Andrew Myrick
Senior Editor - Chromebooks, tablets, and wearables

Andrew Myrick is a Senior Editor at Android Central. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is collecting different headphones, even if they all end up in the same drawer.