The Pixel phones have had several staple features over the years but one that has persisted is the Search bar on the home screen, a feature that may now see users granted the optional removal of said feature. For context, this is something that you have generally always been able to move if you were using an alternate home launcher app. However, the Pixel launcher has kept it as a persistent UI design element from the very beginning and that is likely changing.
Google keeping this UI element in place makes sense if you think about it from Google’s perspective. It wants more people to use Search, so why not place a Search bar on the home screen that’s always there? As soon as you get to the home screen, it’s one of the first things you see. So, chances are you’ll likely end up using it. Of course, not everyone uses Google. Even those who do might not like having a persistent search bar there because it takes away from a cleaner style. Google may finally be listening to its users on this one.
The Google Search bar removal on Pixel phones could be coming soon
While this isn’t a change confirmed by Google yet, it is something that’s been found within code of the latest Android 17 QPR1 beta build. Which could signify that the feature change is coming sooner rather than later.
As reported by Android Authority, Google appears to be working on a toggle option for this that will simply remove the Search bar from the home screen. As suggested, by disabling this toggle, the search bar will no longer be visible on the home screen. This would also mean that the screen space where the search bar was, is now capable of supporting other apps, folders, and widgets. In other words, more customization for the user.
Google I/O is coming up rather quickly, so there’s a chance Google could talk about this feature at some point during the conference.
The post Pixel phones could optionally lose this staple home screen feature appeared first on Android Headlines.
​Â
