Over the past few days, tapping the Pixel Launcher search bar reportedly opens the Google app. This, however, is not a bug, but an intentional change, reports 9to5Google . Previously, the bar at the bottom of your Pixel phone homescreen would open the Pixel Launcher search. It now appears that the Google app is replacing Pixel Launcher search.
The Google app is reportedly replacing Pixel Launcher search
Unlike on other Android devices, the Pixel Launcher search opened a unique search overlay where you can also search for apps, local files, and contacts. This was a translucent sheet with your wallpaper visible at the top, with the prompt “Search web and more.” This also offered a row of app suggestions with previous search queries.
The experience is now similar to what you get on every other Android device when you tap the Google Search bar homescreen widget. You get a full-screen experience powered by the Google app.
Pixel Launcher vs Google App
It’s not a bug
You can still launch apps, but the app search and shortcuts for Clock, Contacts, Pixel Tips, Play Store, Settings, and Wallet are no longer present. As said, this is reportedly an intentional change and is not a bug. It was apparently announced as a part of the November 2025 Feature Drop as “An upgraded home screen search bar.”
“ Easily access AI Mode, our most powerful AI search experience, right from your Pixel’s home screen search bar. This update lets you quickly start and resume AI Mode journeys, so you can dig deeper on the web. You’ll also see more suggested apps in the top row, making it seamless to continue exploring on your device, ” Google said in the November 2025 Pixel Drop blog post . This could be referring to the button on the right after voice search and Lens.
You can still access Pixel Launcher search via the bar at the top of the app grid on your Pixel 10 and other models. Enabling “Swipe up to start search” from Home settings > Search settings can get you the old experience.
