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AuraGlow vs HiLight Plus: Pixel 11 Pro HiLight Apps Compared
By the llcloud team 6 min read
The short answer
AuraGlow is the HiLight app to start with. It has a free version with no trial clock, keeps Google's own call and Gemini glows working, asks only for notification access, and protects the ring with fixed rest periods, while HiLight Plus needs a purchase after seven days and has you switch Google's HiLight options off.
AuraGlow lights the HiLight ring on the Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold for any app, with a free version you can keep using and a one-time Pro upgrade. It adds to Google's HiLight instead of replacing it, and asks only for notification access. HiLight Plus, by the developer mwilky, also pairs through Wireless debugging, but it is free for seven days, then a one-off purchase, and needs Google's call and Gemini options switched off.
HiLight Plus is one of the newer apps for the Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight ring, and it reached Google Play in October 2026. Like AuraGlow, which we make, it lights the eight LEDs around the camera flash for far more than Google's favourite callers and Gemini. The two apps even connect the same way, through Wireless debugging on the phone. Where they part is price, how they treat Google's own HiLight, and what they ask of you. This comparison uses HiLight Plus's GitHub README and Play listing, and AuraGlow's own app page, as of October 2026.
How do AuraGlow and HiLight Plus compare?
| Feature | HiLight Plus | AuraGlow |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold on Android 17 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lights for any app's notifications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free version with no time limit | ✗ 7-day trial, then a purchase | ✓ |
| Google's call and Gemini glows keep working | ✗ Switched off during setup | ✓ |
| Color per app from its icon | ✓ | ✓ Icon or wallpaper, custom with Pro |
| Color per contact | ✓ Calls and message senders | ✓ Pro (BETA), in six messaging apps |
| Patterns | ✓ 13 | ✓ Pulse free, 12 more with Pro |
| Several alerts at once | ✓ Split ring, up to four arcs | ✓ Pro, split ring or one LED per app, up to eight |
| Face-down only | ✓ | ✓ Pro |
| Charging indicator | ✓ | ✓ Pro |
| Camera light while an app uses the camera | ✗ Ring stays dark with a rear camera open | ✓ Pro |
| Pauses in Battery Saver, stops below a battery level | Not listed | ✓ Free |
| Fixed rest periods for the LEDs | Not listed | ✓ Half of every ten minutes |
| Contacts permission | ✓ Required | ✗ Not needed |
| Setup | Wireless debugging pairing, Shizuku optional | Wireless debugging pairing, root or Shizuku optional |
| Open source | ✓ GPL-3.0 | ✗ |
| Analytics | ✗ None | Anonymous usage stats and crash reports |
| Price | One-off purchase after the trial | Free, one-time Pro purchase |
How do you set each one up?
Setup is close on both. HiLight Plus pairs once with your phone's Wireless debugging and starts a small helper with shell permission that reaches the lights service. Its onboarding walks you through each switch and checks that Google's own HiLight options are off. Shizuku is still supported for people who already run it.
AuraGlow works the same way from your side. You unlock Developer options, turn on Wireless debugging while on Wi-Fi, and type the pairing code Android shows into AuraGlow. No computer, no cable and no second app. If you have root or Shizuku, AuraGlow can use them, but it never asks for either. Our guide to lighting the Pixel 11 Pro HiLight ring for every notification covers each step.
What does each one ask you to give up?
This is the real difference, and it shows on day one.
Google's own HiLight. HiLight Plus's README says the stock "Calls from favourites" and Gemini options must be off, otherwise both try to drive the ring. HiLight Plus then draws its own call colors and Gemini looks in their place. AuraGlow keeps its settings to itself and leaves Google's alone, so your favourite callers and Gemini keep glowing exactly as Google set them up. We compare that built-in side in AuraGlow vs Google's HiLight settings.
Your contacts. HiLight Plus uses the Contacts permission to tell saved callers from unknown numbers and match its rules. AuraGlow asks only for notification access and permission to post its own notifications. It reads notifications only to choose the light and never sends your notifications, messages or contacts anywhere. The part that drives the ring has no network access.
Money after a week. HiLight Plus is free for seven days from the first time it connects, then a single one-off purchase keeps it unlocked. AuraGlow's free version has no clock. Any app can light the ring in its icon's color with the Pulse pattern, a brightness slider and per-app on and off, for as long as you like. Pro is there when you want more.
What happens after a restart or a Wi-Fi change?
Both apps run on Android's debugging service, so both depend on it staying on. HiLight Plus's README asks you to keep Developer options on, plus at least one of USB debugging or Wireless debugging, and says it reconnects by itself after a restart on a Wi-Fi where Wireless debugging was allowed.
AuraGlow asks for one switch: leave USB debugging on. Android turns Wireless debugging off whenever Wi-Fi changes, and with USB debugging on, a Wi-Fi change never stops the light. No cable is needed. After a restart, AuraGlow usually turns Wireless debugging back on by itself on a Wi-Fi you allowed before, and posts a notification when it cannot. With root, the light returns on its own. If the ring ever goes quiet, our HiLight not working guide has the fixes in order.
How does each one look after the ring?
AuraGlow keeps every light short by design and rests the ring for half of every ten minutes. These limits are fixed in the app and no setting can override them. It also pauses in Battery Saver, stops below a battery level you pick, respects Do Not Disturb and goes dark for an hour on request, all in the free version.
HiLight Plus hands each pattern to the ring's own light controller as a looping effect, and checks the ring on unlock, resetting it if the LEDs do not match what it last sent. It offers pocket mode, face-down only, Do Not Disturb and quiet hours rules, and a Quick Settings tile to pause. Its README provides the app "as is" and disclaims responsibility for damage to the phone or its LEDs.
Why choose AuraGlow over HiLight Plus?
- A free version that stays free. No trial clock. Pro is a one-time purchase when you want it.
- Google's HiLight keeps working. Favourite callers and Gemini still glow, and AuraGlow adds every other app.
- Fewer permissions. Notification access and its own notifications only. No contacts permission.
- Fixed limits that protect the ring. Short lights and a rest for half of every ten minutes, with no setting to override them.
- More apps at once. One LED per app, up to eight, or a split ring, with Pro.
- Colors that set themselves. Each app takes its icon's color or a shade from your wallpaper.
- A camera light. With Pro, the ring glows while any app has the camera open.
AuraGlow works only on the Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold running Android 17. Setup needs Developer options, Wireless debugging and Wi-Fi, and USB debugging has to stay on. It is not open source and sends anonymous usage stats and crash reports. If you are still choosing, see how it compares with the other community app in AuraGlow vs HiLight Studio, or read what Pixel HiLight is first. For a light on the front of the screen too, AuraDisplay draws a ring around the front camera.
Sources
Questions
Is HiLight Plus free?
HiLight Plus is free for seven days, then a single one-off purchase unlocks it, with no subscription. The trial starts the first time it connects to the ring and survives clearing app data. AuraGlow has a free version with no time limit that lights the ring for any app in its icon's color, and Pro is a one-time purchase on top.
Do AuraGlow and HiLight Plus need Shizuku or root?
Neither needs them. Both pair once with the phone's own Wireless debugging and a pairing code, with no computer. HiLight Plus still supports Shizuku if you already use it. AuraGlow can use root or Shizuku if you have them, and with root its light returns by itself after every restart.
Can I keep Google's HiLight call and Gemini glows?
With AuraGlow, yes. It keeps its own settings and does not change Google's, so calls from favourites and Gemini keep glowing as before. HiLight Plus's README says the stock Calls from favourites and Gemini options must be turned off, otherwise both try to drive the ring, and HiLight Plus draws its own versions instead.
Which debugging switches have to stay on?
For AuraGlow, keep USB debugging on. Android switches Wireless debugging off whenever Wi-Fi changes, and with USB debugging on that never stops the light. No cable is needed. HiLight Plus's README says Developer options must stay on, plus at least one of USB debugging or Wireless debugging, because Android stops its helper when both are off.
Which app asks for fewer permissions?
AuraGlow asks only for notification access and permission to post its own notifications. It never sends your notifications, messages or contacts anywhere. HiLight Plus lists Contacts, notification access, local network access, run at startup and write secure settings among its permissions, and says contacts and notification content stay on the device.
