Joe Maring / Android Authority
TL;DR The Pixel Launcher search bar in Android 17 Beta 1 is now the Google widget.
Hidden settings discovered in the beta suggest users will eventually be able to select third-party search providers like DuckDuckGo.
These changes, including potential updates to the Discover screen, are likely influenced by antitrust regulations.
Android 17 Beta 1 brought custom shortcuts to the Pixel Launcher search bar, but there are more changes under the surface, along with an important clarification. With this new beta, the Pixel Launcher’s search bar appears similar to the Google widget, but as app developer Kieron Quinn clarifies on Bluesky, it is actually the Google widget itself.
If you want to revert to the old Pixel Launcher search bar design instead of the Google widget search bar design, you’re out of luck, as methods to revert no longer work.
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As our previous coverage highlighted, the AI Mode shortcut can be customized by long-pressing on the widget, selecting Widget settings, and choosing a different shortcut. As Quinn highlights, there’s a hidden Search settings option that lets users choose a search provider for the search box.
Quinn managed to enable other search providers to show up in the search box, such as DuckDuckGo, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Pixel Search (which looks like the older Pixel Launcher search box but is more customizable), and even Google Maps (not pictured but shared with us).
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