How To Add Google Search Bar On Home Screen: A Step-by-Step Guide

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5 min. read

Published on October 20, 2025

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Adding a Google search bar to your home screen offers quick and convenient access to Google’s powerful search engine. This eliminates the need to open a browser and navigate to Google’s website every time you want to search for something. Whether you’re using an Android device or an iPhone (with a workaround), integrating this feature can significantly streamline your daily browsing habits.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to adding the Google search bar to your home screen on both Android and iOS devices. We’ll cover the specific instructions for each operating system, ensuring that you can easily implement this time-saving feature regardless of your device.

Want a Google Search Bar on Your Home Screen? Here’s How

Adding the Google Search Bar on Android

Android devices natively support widgets, making the process of adding the Google search bar straightforward.

Long-press on an empty area of your home screen. This will typically bring up a menu allowing you to customize your home screen.
Tap on “Widgets”. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Android device’s manufacturer and version.
Scroll through the list of widgets to find the “Google” widget. You might need to scroll through several pages to find it.
Tap and hold the “Google” widget. This will allow you to drag the widget onto your home screen.
Drag the widget to your desired location on the home screen. Release your finger to place the widget.
Resize the widget (if necessary). Some Android launchers allow you to adjust the size of widgets to better fit your home screen layout.

Adding the Google Search Bar on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

While iOS doesn’t offer a direct Google search bar widget, you can create a similar experience using Safari’s search bar and a home screen shortcut.

Open Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
Navigate to Google.com.
Tap the “Share” button. This is the square icon with an arrow pointing upwards, usually located at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down the options and tap “Add to Home Screen”.
Rename the shortcut to “Google Search”. This will help you easily identify it on your home screen.
Tap “Add” in the upper-right corner of the screen. This will create a shortcut icon on your home screen.
Move the icon to your desired location. Long-press the icon and drag it to your preferred spot.

This method creates a shortcut that opens Google’s website directly in Safari, effectively functioning as a Google search bar. While not a true widget, it offers a similar level of convenience.

Customizing Your Search Bar

Android: Some Android launchers allow you to customize the appearance of the Google search bar widget, such as changing its color or transparency. Check your launcher’s settings for customization options.
iOS: The shortcut icon can be customized by using a different image. You’ll need to create or download an image and use a shortcut customization app to change the icon.

Tips for Efficient Searching

Use voice search: Both the Google widget on Android and the Google website on iOS support voice search. Tap the microphone icon to speak your search query.
Use search operators: Google supports various search operators that can help you refine your search results. For example, use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase or use the “site:” operator to search within a specific website.
Utilize Google Lens: The Google search bar on Android integrates with Google Lens, allowing you to search for information using your camera.

Different Ways to Search on the Go

Adding a Google search bar to your home screen is a simple yet effective way to enhance your mobile browsing experience. Whether you’re an Android user enjoying the convenience of a native widget or an iOS user utilizing a home screen shortcut, this feature provides quick and easy access to the world’s most popular search engine.

FAQ

How do I remove the Google search bar from my Android home screen? Long-press the widget and drag it to the “Remove” or “Delete” icon, usually located at the top or bottom of the screen.

Can I add multiple Google search bars to my Android home screen? Yes, you can add multiple instances of the Google search bar widget to your home screen.

Why can’t I find the Google widget on my Android device? Make sure you have the Google app installed and updated to the latest version. The widget should then appear in the list of available widgets.

Is there a way to get a real Google search bar widget on my iPhone? Unfortunately, Apple does not allow third-party widgets like the Google search bar directly on the home screen. The shortcut method is the closest alternative.

Does the Google search bar widget drain my battery? The Google search bar widget has minimal impact on battery life.

Comparing Search Methods

Feature	Google Search Bar (Android)	Google Shortcut (iOS)
Widget	Yes	No
Direct Integration	Yes	No
Customization	More	Less
Battery Usage	Minimal	Minimal

Quick Access to Google’s Power

By following these simple steps, you can seamlessly integrate Google’s search functionality into your mobile workflow, saving time and effort with every search.