Google is again testing a new design for the search bar on Android

One of the first times users saw a bottom search bar for the Google app was in 2021, while Google enabled a modernized version in late 2023. Google is currently testing a new design. The bottom bar follows Material 3 interface standards with an integrated search bar.

At least a handful of users have encountered this bottom search bar design in Google Search on Android recently. The starting point for this is that it uses Material 3 with a pill-shaped tab indicator that was implemented on the iOS version but seems to have been left behind on Android after a short implementation.

However, Google's screenshots in the app list on CH Play show this feature. That change played a key role in making Google's apps more uniform.

Above the bottom bar is the tall search bar that appeared previously just above the Search button. Now, that thicker variant has disappeared from Google's search results page. While the new design is still there for consistency, it still looks comically large though. But overall, the combined search box and bottom bar use a similar search method.

One user complaint is that it takes up more space than can be used for search results, along with the "Google" icon no longer appearing at the top with Search filters. The sword appeared soon after.

As for colors, instead of using dynamic colors, only the default green color is used, which makes it stand out more on the Search results page. Compared to the current look, this bottom search bar redesign looks more modern, with the Google app having become a bit dated lately. Hopefully it will be rolled out more widely.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 07 April 2024