The Google search bar widget has been a long-standing part of the Pixel Launcher, and not every Pixel Phone user is a fan of it. But if we are to believe the latest leaks, it seems like Google is adding the ability to remove the Google search bar from the bottom of the home screen with the Android 17 update.
Google Could Add the Option to Disable the Search Bar in Android 17
This detail comes from Mystic Leaks, who shared a screen recording showcasing the feature. The video shows the option to disable the search bar on the home screen in the Pixel launcher. The new option is labelled "Show Search bar", and users can toggle it off to remove the widget.
Users will have the option to turn on the search widget again if they need to. This is similar to the option to disable the "At a Glance" widget from the Pixel Launcher in Android 16.
As you can see in the screenshots above, removing the search bar pushes the apps further down and makes them more accessible. You can easily reach these icons from the dock with one hand.
The feature was spotted in an unknown build of Android 17 QPR1, as revealed in the leaker's Telegram channel.
As someone who uses Pixel phones for testing often, this is a welcome change for Google Pixel phone users who had to resort to third-party Android launchers for a cleaner home screen setup. However, the feature seems to be in early stages of development, and Google may remove this option if it is not ready ahead of the Pixel 11 series launch.
We will find out more when the stable Android 17 QPR1 update rolls out in the coming weeks. Google recently released the second beta for Android 17 QPR1 with a ton of bug fixes and improvements. We could also learn if this feature makes the cut or not during the Android Show I/O Edition 2026 on May 12, 2026.
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