Google finally updates the design of the most popular widget of all time on Android

Google has begun rolling out a completely revamped design for the App Search widget on Android, which is already more prominent. Now, the shortcut the user chooses will be the one displayed on their device, and it can be more visually pleasing and personalized than in previous versions. Additionally, this update expands the widget’s size and modifies its icon layout, making it more intuitive and customizable than the classic search bar we’ve had up until now.

The old widget featured a single horizontal bar with the Google logo on the left and three icons—Quick Access, Microphone, and Google Lens—on the right. The new version, split into two sections, includes a clear border, enlarges the search area, and places the customizable shortcut at one end, making it easy to find. Below, we’ll explain how it works and how to try it out, in case you want to get ahead of everyone else.

What’s new in the App Search widget

Split design and greater visibility than the classic bar.
The search bar is now divided from a single block into two distinct areas.
A semi-transparent outer border is applied, following the path of Google’s “Circle” and “Search” styles, so it maintains the style.
The widget grows in height and respects Material 3 guides, improving touch accessibility while also making it stand out much better.
The icons have been relocated: On the left side, the “Big G” button that opens text search remains. The middle area groups the microphone and Google Lens icons for dictation and visual search. On the far right: The customizable shortcut now occupies a prominent, isolated location.
Much more prominent customizable shortcut, so it doesn’t go unnoticed.
From the Google app, under Customize the Search widget > Shortcuts, you can choose from:
Nothing (the bar extends to its full size), Translate (text), Translate (camera), Search song, Weather, Sports, Dictionary, Tasks, Finance, Saved, and News.
The new shortcut for AI Mode is now available in the US.
Light and dark themes that combine perfectly.
The widget adapts its colors to the system theme: white background with soft gray outline or dark background with blurred border.
Selecting “None” as the shortcut causes the search bar to fill the entire available width, regardless of the theme.

The rollout of this new search widget design will be gradual, as the first tests are being carried out for beta users with version 16.17.38.arm64 of the Google app. If the design doesn’t appear, you can force it to appear by doing the following: