Google's New Android Search Widget Puts Custom Shortcuts in the Spotlight

Google Redesigns Android Search Bar Widget

Google is updating the homescreen widget for its Search bar on Android, introducing a new design that emphasizes the optional shortcut more prominently. The previous incarnation was a pill-shaped layout featuring the Google ‘G’ logo at the left, followed by input options like custom shortcuts and Google Lens.

The updated design aligns with Material 3 guidelines, making the widget slightly taller and thicker to enhance visibility and usability. Key changes include:

• Container Design: A larger, more prominent pill-shaped container that is slightly taller than before.
• Optional Shortcut: The custom shortcut has been moved to a standalone circle at the right, making it stand out and easier to tap.
• Transparency Adjustments: When adjusting the transparency slider, the outer container changes the most.

The minimum width required to display all elements is 4×1, which may affect some user layouts. This redesign is part of the Google app version 16.17 (latest beta). Users who haven’t received the update can edit their widget settings via the pencil icon on their homescreen.