With the launch of the new Samsung foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Flip 8, the stable version of One UI 9 based on Android 17 has arrived. This release brings several new features, but one of the most anticipated is the ability to customize the search bar on the home screen. Users can now choose between Google Search, Samsung's Finder, both, or none.
A long-awaited home screen customization
Until now, the home screen on Samsung devices only offered Finder as the default search tool. With One UI 9, the Korean company has listened to user feedback and introduced an option many have wanted for a long time: the Google Search bar. This change makes the user experience closer to that of Google's Pixel phones, without sacrificing Samsung's proprietary features.
How to enable the new Google Search bar on One UI 9
To activate the Google Search bar, go to the home screen settings, long-press an empty area, and select "Home screen settings." Here you will find a new option for the search bar, where you can choose between Google Search, Finder, Google Search + Finder (displayed side by side), or no bar. The choice can be changed at any time without affecting device performance.
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A change that brings Samsung closer to the Pixel experience
This new feature is not just aesthetic but functional. The integrated Google Search bar offers faster and more accurate results thanks to Google's indexing, while Finder remains ideal for local file and app search. The ability to have both tools is a perfect compromise for users who use the phone for both work and leisure. Early reviews indicate that the transition is smooth, and the Google bar integrates seamlessly with the One UI launcher.
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For owners of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Flip 8, this feature is available immediately after updating to the stable version. Samsung has confirmed that the same feature will roll out to other compatible models soon, starting with the Galaxy S27 and Galaxy Tab S11 series. For more details on One UI 9 news, refer to the article on Android Authority.
If you are considering buying a Samsung foldable, our guide to choosing the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, or Flip8 will help you pick the right model. Additionally, this feature shows how Samsung is listening to user feedback, a theme also explored in the article on Atlassian on AI adoption.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-9-google-search-3690352
