How to remove or move the Google search bar on your Samsung Galaxy

Last Update date : Nov 07. 2026
Close-up of the bottom of a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 Home screen displaying the Google search bar and app icons.

The Google search bar on your Samsung Galaxy Home screen gives you quick access to Google Search. Depending on your device and software version, the search bar may be a widget or a built-in part of the Home screen. Although they look similar, the options for moving or removing them are different. This guide helps you identify which type you have and explains how to move or remove it.

Note: The information provided applies to Samsung Galaxy devices sold in Canada. Screens and settings may vary depending on the device model and software version.

There are two types of Google search bars that can appear on your Samsung Galaxy Home screen. With One UI 9, Samsung introduced a built-in Google search bar that is integrated directly into the Home screen, rather than functioning as a traditional widget. Although they look similar, the steps to move or remove them are different.

To find out which type of Google search bar you have, perform a simple test by touching and holding the search bar. What happens next will help you identify which type you have. Compare what happens on your device with the two scenarios shown below. Once you've identified your search bar, follow the instructions in the corresponding section of this guide.

Scenario 1: You have a built-in Google search bar

Test: Touch and hold the Google search bar

Samsung Galaxy Home screen after the One UI 9 update showing a touch indicator on the Google search bar. Samsung Galaxy Home screen after the One UI 9 update showing a touch indicator on the Google search bar.

You only need to touch and hold the search bar for 1 or 2 seconds. Make sure you keep your finger on the screen rather than tapping the search bar briefly.

Result: The Google Search screen opens

Google Search screen showing the search field and a list of recent searches. Google Search screen showing the search field and a list of recent searches.

If the Google Search screen opens after you touch and hold the search bar, you have a built-in Google search bar. See the Remove or replace the built-in Google search bar section below to learn how to customize it.

Scenario 2: You have a Google search widget

Test: Touch and hold the Google search bar

Samsung Galaxy Home screen before the One UI 9 update showing a touch indicator on the Google search bar. Samsung Galaxy Home screen before the One UI 9 update showing a touch indicator on the Google search bar.

You only need to touch and hold the search bar for 1 or 2 seconds. Make sure you keep your finger on the screen rather than tapping the search bar briefly.

Result: The widget menu appears

Google Search widget selected on a Samsung Galaxy Home screen, with a menu showing options to create a stack, remove the widget or access its settings. Google Search widget selected on a Samsung Galaxy Home screen, with a menu showing options to create a stack, remove the widget or access its settings.

If the widget menu appears, your Google search bar is a widget. See the Move and customize the Google search widget section below to learn how to customize it.

Note: Tapping the Google search bar briefly opens the Google Search screen, regardless of which type you have. If you're unsure whether you touched and held the search bar long enough, return to the Home screen and repeat the test. Make sure to keep your finger on the search bar for 1 or 2 seconds before releasing it.

The built-in search bar lets you choose which search options appear on your Home screen, including the ability to display multiple search bars at the same time. However, its position is fixed. If you prefer more flexibility, you can use a Google Search widget that can be moved and resized to suit your needs.

Samsung Galaxy Settings menu showing the Home screen option. Samsung Galaxy Settings menu showing the Home screen option.

Step 1. Open the Settings menu, then swipe to and tap Home screen.

Samsung Galaxy Home screen settings showing the Show search on Home screen option. Samsung Galaxy Home screen settings showing the Show search on Home screen option.

Step 2. Swipe to and tap Show search on Home screen.

Samsung Galaxy search settings showing separate switches for Search and Finder. Samsung Galaxy search settings showing separate switches for Search and Finder.

Step 3. Use the switches to choose which search bars appear on your Home screen. Available options may vary by device, and you can enable more than one at a time.

Samsung Galaxy search settings showing the Search and Finder switches turned off. Samsung Galaxy search settings showing the Search and Finder switches turned off.

Step 4. The built-in Google search bar cannot be moved. If you want to move or customize the search bar, you will need to use a widget instead. We recommend turning off the switch next to Search.

Empty Samsung Galaxy Home screen showing the wallpaper without app icons or widgets. Empty Samsung Galaxy Home screen showing the wallpaper without app icons or widgets.

Step 5. Return to your Home screen, then touch and hold an empty area until Edit mode opens.

Samsung Galaxy Home screen in Edit mode showing the Widgets option. Samsung Galaxy Home screen in Edit mode showing the Widgets option.

Step 6. Tap Widgets.

Samsung Galaxy Widgets menu showing the Google category among the available widgets. Samsung Galaxy Widgets menu showing the Google category among the available widgets.

Step 7. Swipe to and tap Google to view the available widgets.

Google Search widget preview showing the search bar with microphone and camera icons. Google Search widget preview showing the search bar with microphone and camera icons.

Step 8. Tap the Google search bar widget.

Google Search widget preview showing the Add button selected. Google Search widget preview showing the Add button selected.

Step 9. Tap Add to place the widget on your Home screen.

Note: To learn how to move, resize or remove the Google Search widget, see the next section of this guide.

Unlike the built-in Google search bar, the Google search widget can be moved to a different location on your Home screen. You can also adjust its size, change its appearance and access additional customization options to suit your preferences.

Samsung Galaxy Home screen showing the Google search widget being touched and held. Samsung Galaxy Home screen showing the Google search widget being touched and held.

Step 1. Touch and hold the Google search widget for 1 or 2 seconds.

Google search widget selected on a Samsung Galaxy Home screen, showing resizing handles and a menu with customization options. Google search widget selected on a Samsung Galaxy Home screen, showing resizing handles and a menu with customization options.

Step 2. Drag the handles to make the Google search widget shorter or restore its original size. To move it, touch and hold the widget, then drag it to a new location. You can also tap Settings to access additional customization options.

Google search widget settings showing theme options and a transparency slider. Google search widget settings showing theme options and a transparency slider.

Step 3. Choose a theme for the Google search widget and adjust its transparency. Depending on your device, additional customization options may be available, such as adding a shortcut.

Note: To remove the Google search widget, touch and hold it, then tap Remove in the menu that appears.

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