Google may let Pixel owners remove home screen search bar

7 articles · Updated · Android Authority · May 7

Evidence found in Android 17 QPR1 beta 2 includes Pixel Launcher strings for showing or hiding the bar at the bottom of the home screen.
The change would address a long-running request from users who prefer alternative search engines or want a cleaner layout without replacing the Pixel Launcher.
It follows Android 17 beta's addition of an option to hide the At a Glance widget, though teardown findings may not reach a public release.

Is Google's embrace of customization a user-first move or a strategy to weaken the appeal of rival launchers?

Beyond a cleaner look, could removing the search bar fundamentally change our digital habits and reduce impulsive searching?