As governmental efforts to disrupt the hegemony of tech titans and concerns over online privacy increase, companies such as Google have reluctantly begun to provide users with control over their search experience. Similarly, Google is preparing to grant users the ability to select the default search engine from the search bar of the Pixel Launcher. Everything you need to know about it is provided below.
What makes this such a seismic shift?
At present, the search bar of the Google Pixel Launcher integrates a universal search feature, enabling users to locate a multitude of locally and online resources, such as contacts, applications, and configurations. Notwithstanding its adaptability, the Pixel launcher solely relies on the Google search engine, thereby posing a challenge for users who favour alternative search engines.
All of this, however, is about to change. As per a recent report by Nail Sadykov, the app’s most recent iteration in the Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3 incorporates a concealed configuration labelled “Search Engine,” enabling users to select an alternative engine, such as Bing or DuckDuckGo. By means of this improvement, users will be able to exert more authority over their search preferences.
How do you modify the default search engine?
If you are already utilising Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3, proceed as follows:
- Launch the application drawer and select the search icon located at the top of the interface.
- Select the three dots that are situated to the right.
- Navigate to “Search Settings.”
- Navigate to the “Search Engine” configurations and select the desired engine.
- A screenshot of the Pixel Launcher’s newly implemented search engine modification.
- Despite the fact that Google has not officially announced when this feature may be available on Pixel devices, a number of additional reports have uncovered indications of the “Search Engine” setting within the Google Chrome app for Android, which may be the feature in question. If therefore accurate, the feature could be rolled out to all Pixel devices in conjunction with the March Feature Drop.