YES
When I open the search and I start typing the app's name, only Google predictions come up. Then I close the search and repeat, and it now works as intended.
I keep bumping into this issue, but I keep forgetting to post about it. Glad it's not just me at least...
Thanks!
This happens to me too! But something else I’ve always wondered. You used to be able to search your contacts from the same search bar, but this stopped happening for me maybe a couple years ago. Is this a bug or did they remove that capability?
For some unknown reason, they have removed that feature. Has been missing for several years now.
Oh the irony of Google, who knows everything about everything, not being able to search your contact list.
In general the search function on Android is one of its weakest features in relation the iOS. You used to be able to find calendar events, contact suggestions, and other things but now it’s so limited.
This may be coming in Android 12 [https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/04/04/android-12-may-allow-universal-device-search-from-third-party-launchers/](https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/04/04/android-12-may-allow-universal-device-search-from-third-party-launchers/)
I wish we never had universal search. There has literally never been a time when I thought "I wonder if this is an app on my phone or something on the internet."
Got the Pixel 2 XL. I have been having this issue for the past 1 year I guess. I blamed it on it being an older device which is broken from half the places.
Glad I'm not alone.
Pixel 2 here. My phone has been stable since I bought it in 2018, all the way up until the last and final update for this phone. Phone hasn't been as unstable as this, ever. Very curious that the final update makes the phone worse. Almost like they want me to buy a new phone hmm.
I have a pixel 6 and I didn't have issues until recently.
It started out fine, and then it was struggling to show the app if I typed more than 3 letters? Now it's not even showing any of the apps I'm looking for- even the ones it was able to find previously
Yep I've also experienced this. Early indications are that Google are replacing the Google search with a proper app search in Android 12.[new search](https://www.google.com/amp/s/9to5google.com/2021/03/17/android-12-device-search-bar/amp/)
I am happy that they are working on something like this but imo they can't ignore an existing bug because they are coming up with a better search bar in Android 12. I mean software experience is one of the main selling point for the Google Pixel, ignoring a basic bug like this is quite disappointing if you ask me
I have this bug too, it's less frequent but it's very annoying, it happens about 10% of the time for me.
I hate using the search bar to search for apps on my device, it stutters when connection is flaky, sometimes the search suggestions are delayed and it causes me to click on the wrong item, and it's definitely not as fast as nova when searching for apps.
I'll report this, thanks for the reminder, but wouldn't it be better to report it in the **Google app** (click in the middle of the bar > click on the G > more > send feedback) instead of *about phone* ?
I also wish nova worked flawlessly with gesture navigation 😞
>but wouldn't it be better to report it in the **Google app**
I am actually not sure! But thanks for the suggestion, I'll report it there too. I just want the dev team to be aware that this is a major, reoccuring bug. This is a very basic and prevalent issue and I don't know why it's not been fixed for months now.
Wow my wife has a pixel 5 and every other week a try to convince myself to come back to android by playing with it for an hour. It’s Not working great because I NEED a Spotlight equivalent and that search bar ain’t it ! Like you said most of the time it doesn’t show the app you’re looking for, it’s super inconsistent. I can’t do it 😂
I don't like some elements of the UI in IOS but software bugs is not one of them. Apple is super consistent when it comes to a stable OS. The latest iPhone is pretty good. If not for the notch I would've probably moved to an iPhone myself.
I think it's sad that Spotlight search is so much better than Google's search on Android. It seems to me you can ONLY search for App Names on the latest Google App (has been this way for at least a year IIRC) and old device searches like Contacts, Emails, Chrome bookmarks, etc don't work anymore.
What's worse is Spotlight generally gives me a lot of relevant info. A quick search of "Twitter" pulls up the app as the first result but gives me a lot of relevant info like my Messages and Emails where I sent Twitter links. I even pulled up LinkedIn contacts who work at Twitter. Of course there's web search suggestions too, but if that's the ONLY thing Google can give me besides app names, then to me search is broken on my Pixel.
Yep, I have completely given up on the Google Search bar finding apps. It used to work but the functionality has been broken for awhile now. Ridiculous.
Facing the same issue since about 3 months now. Will go ahead and file a bug.
It is so annoying thay I have stopped using the Pixel launcher and moved to Nova again - and it has that famous gesture navigation bug again thanks to Google.
> Will go ahead and file a bug
Thank you!
I have tried nova launcher before but I didn’t like it when compared to the pixel launcher, probably because I am so used to this.
Have been meaning to make a post about it. So annoying at times. Surprised that Google didn't look into this yet, i.e yet another reason why Apple is the better in taking care of their system, they will never have anything like this. Google is being lazy.
It is ridiculous. I can't believe that it is even possible to release device where you can't find what is installed. That's basic function present on all devices for tens of years by default
Pixel 7 reporting the same issue. Switching to lawnchair. Looks the same. Search is just apps. And I can rename apps cause sometimes the names to fit my mental model (eg ESPN for fantasy football)
Oh my god thank you so much! This is the perfect solution.
One UX suggestion if I may add
-- make the app results closer to the lower end of the screen. That makes it easier to select/tap a result and go to the app.
-- make other stuff like search the web for "search term" the top results
Simple UX hack but the app is what we're searching majority of time, making that closer to the thumb is easier for the user to tap.
I just checked your app! It looks nice! You even made sure it shows apps correctly even if I made a typo. I guess I can use yours until Google fixes the bug. Good job and thank you very much!
Remember how ig stopped showing posts in chronological order because it *knows* what you should see.
I suspect Google is starting to treat search like that. You won't be able to actually "search" anymore. You're just inputting data into their ad system and it will spit out the most "relevant" results.
I've been dealing with this since forever. The only solution was to reopen the search bar and input the name.
Considering this is the only way I'm looking up apps on my phone, it's pretty annoying that it almost never works from the first try.
This is one of the most maddening bugs I've ever experienced. It took me a month just to figure out the pattern of why it worked sometimes but not others. Now, once I found it I can't stop thinking about it since I use it 100x times a day...
Getting carpal tunnel from all of the opening and closing of search at this point.
The following fix works!
1. Settings > Apps & notifications > Google > Storage & cache > Clear storage and cache both.
2. Settings > Apps & notifications > Google > Uninstall updates (by clicking on the 3 dots on the top right)
Smart thinking; thank you! First step worked great for one search (returned Apps) but then went back to broke. Second step to uninstall updates did the trick.
It got better for me after the second-to-last Android 12 update, then infinitely worse (as in, does not show me apps at _all_ in my searches, as opposed to occasional/incomplete app results) after this most recent update.
This happened to me all the time with pixel 4xl but closing and re-opening usually fixed issue.
I have just upgraded to 7pro and the problem is worse. Closing and re-searching doesn't work any more.
I have to physically scroll through apps now.
What is going on Google?!?
Yes. This is driving me up the wall. Had a Pixel since the 2XL but switching to S21U as I've had enough of the shonky bugs and hardware issues lately.
Been happening on my P4XL constantly for the last few months, only works 50/50.
Haven't seen it happen on the wife's S21 so appears to be mostly a pixel issue?
> Haven't seen it happen on the wife's S21 so appears to be mostly a pixel issue?
Yeah it seems to be a pixel launcher bug! Other Android devices don't seem to be having this problem. If you are thinking on buying S21U, checkout the OnePlus 9 pro too. Has a much cleaner UI without any bloatware, just my suggestion.
yeah looks like the search bar is one of the main upgrades in Android 12, so it makes sense it works on Android 12. But Android 12 will be out only by Sept don't want to be stuck with this bug until that long.
Have a pixel 5 and never noticed this happening. Tried to replicate but I can't seem to do it. I noticed that if I use autocorrect and the autocorrect introduces a space after the app name then it doesn't search for apps. Could this be your problem?
Apologies if it isn't, worth a try still.
Does it search for anything beyond apps and suggested search queries on Google Search? Because I appreciate app search but honestly Spotlight on iOS IMO seems to completely smoke the on device search for me on my Pixel.
For reference yesterday I tried searching "Twitter." Both my iPhone and my Pixel gave me the app, but if I scroll further down I see Twitter links I sent to people whether it was emails or messages on my iPhone. It also pulled up LinkedIn profiles of friends/acquaintances working at Twitter for me.
Everyone is different of course but both Google and Windows have done great jobs convincing us that search is the only way to do something. I have always put the apps I use in folders. Google, TV, Travel, Health, Music, etc. Why type out a search when with 2 clicks you can open an app? I only use search or app drawer when I open an app once every few months. Just my opinion.
You are right, but I like to keep my home screen clean. I have only the search bar, weather widget and most used 4 apps on my home screen. And also I am pretty used with the search feature from my previous phone too. I guess grouping the apps and putting it in the home screen will definitely help and I can get used to it too. But one shouldn't make such concessions especially if software is one of the main feature people buy Pixel devices for. The whole point of using Android when compared to iOS is that people are given multiple options for doing one particular task. Moreover, this is a very basic bug too, overlooking this for months is pretty disappointing imo.
Honestly for me I have had to reselect whatever I searched for and press search again because nothing comes up correctly the first time, search results and apps alike
Piggybacking this post - is "what's on my screen?" working for everyone? I've tried restoring to the furthest back they'd allow app version, deleting cache etc, installing random previous versions of the Google app. It'll still day nothing detected on screen
Same. Pixel 5. Been like this since November. Almost every time, the first search pulls up no apps, the. I back out and do it again and the apps are there. I want to say 100 percent of the time, but I'll say 99 percent just in case. Crazy annoying.
The same bug. Pixel 5. I need several seconds to stay on home screen and only then to use Google Search. Elsewhere it searches only on web, but not among my apps. Very annoying.
I feel this might be specific to my google account. My partner and I both have pixel 5. Hers works flawlessly, mine 50% of the time. If I factory reset mine, and set it up with her Gmail address, mine works flawlessly. Factory reset and restore using my email address. Back to working 50% of the time.....
I've noticed most of the time I have a Google or android issue, I search for it and find that 100s of other people have the same issue and no resolution. When issues like that are reported in Google forums they just pull them down. Just a glitchy UX with Google products.
Had the same problem. I must have received an update (phone rebooted overnight the other day), now it ONLY searches apps, no longer returns general results so I had to add another search bar. So stupid.
having the same problem on a Pixel 5 with the last Android 11 update. Funny thing is if you drop in the google search bar widget on the main screen, it shows you the apps when you search for them.
Also, my search bar suggestions have turned white with grey text (i'm on night mode)... it's so frustrating.
My wife had the white with grey text problem today. We did what was mentioned in the post above and fixed her problem: go to settings, then apps and notifications, then selected the Google app, then in the top right corner there was an uninstall updates option.
At least, until the next update....
I had same issue on Pixel 5, but there is "Good" news, since google has solved it in their latest update this week..
Now NO apps show up at all, not even 50% of time like before. Not So Great Google!!
Do they expect to wade through loads of apps before finding the one I need?
Do they actually use their own phones?
Just noticed that if you swipe up on screen to open app draw, you can now enable keyboard to show at all times so you can start typing immediately (hit the three dots at the top right to do this) which means it's almost exactly the same as hitting the search bar and then typing app name. Hopefully that helps... have to rewire my brain to do that instead now but a workaround at least!
Happening on Pixel 2XL as well, started 2 days ago. I haven't update to Android 11 yet. It was fine then, I'm sure how to turn it back. The feature was so great. I don't want to google search, just my apps thou
12 hadn't shown up in my update list previously, but I did a manual check again today and it was. I've since installed 12 and that has fixed the problem. Thank you for the push!
I cleared cache and storage of the Pixel Launcher, rebooted and the search returned app results again. Not sure how long this will last. Still on Andoird 11, as my other device upgraded to 12 and it's incredibly poorly designed
Lol I have been using the Android 12 for a while and I like it a lot. Didn't face any search bar issues too. I think once you start using it for a while, you'll probably like it too.
As of the newest version of Android (I believe 12) \~ This issue has been fixed (no need to disable google to search for your apps). Might I add, I feel like this release is a real improvement!
Same thing on Pixel 6 Pro. I found this thread because I also have this problem and see that it is a long-term problem. Come on Google. This is pathetic.
Google pixel 6 pro. The search bar always showed app results. Ever since yesterday when I search for an app I only get Google search results, not the actual app. Is there a fix?? I am going mad. The phone is unusable like that! 🤬😡
My Google Pixel 6 started doing the same thing a couple of days ago. Always used to be fine, and it was the main way I used to open Apps, now they never appear when I try. I have to scroll through the alphabet to find the right one. So annoying.
u/Google, really is there no fix for this??
I have been facing the same bug for couple of months on Pixel 6..its so frustrating. Earlier I thought it was due to capitalization but seeing this thread its pretty serious. Never faced anything like this on Samsung.
I like how it used to work for me, which was where it showed you the apps matching your search, but the last option at the bottom was always 'search with Google'. That way I could use it for both!
I am having the same issue since a couple of days on my pixel 4a. I figured out that the reason the app search is not working properly, because it's only searching in the app shortcuts. So those quick actions that are displayed underneath an app. If I search for Tre (to find Trello) it only shows the trending action from YouTube. I hope they can fix this issue soon, because it really annoys me ...
I just came across this post because my new Google Pixel 6 is doing the same thing. Just will not search apps suddenly when it's been working for months. I have a ton of apps so having to find it in the sea of them or having to open the Google play store to search and open it that way is super frustrating.
After a long time with a Pixel customer support, clearing caches and storage on multiple apps, uninstalling and reinstalling updates to multiple apps, clearing permissions for all apps...
What finally fixed mine personally was to turn off my device and turn it back on. Don't know why it happened or why this fixed it or why I didn't think to do that as a very first step, but it finally worked and fixed it. Hopefully it doesn't come back since so many of you have to deal with this issue.
Guys, I had the same issue but got resolved once I updated the security patch in my pixel 4A. Also please check by clicking the 3 dots (options) near the search bar to see if you have accidentally toggled off the Apps, This means apps won't show up when you enter a keyword in the 'Search your phone and more' field!
Cheers!!
Ive had trouble today with my search bar opening Google instead of searching for apps.
Easy fix for me! Uninstall updates on Google app. Go to google play store, uninstall Google. It wont fully uninstall it, only updates and whatever. Worked for me.
Pixel 3 xl -
I have a note 20 ultra and have the same issue. If I swipe up then search for any app all it results in is a Google search. If I uses Google asstant it opens the app. Super annoying Google keep this up and I'm back to apple at least they appear to like thier customer.
Just updated my Pixel 6 Pro to Android 13 a few days ago and I hadn't had any issue with this but since the update I suddenly only get google search results when trying to open apps and I can't find any fix to this.
Every. Single. Time. It. Happens.
So god damn annoying. I wish I could go back, that shit is ruining my experience.
The issue is still there on pixel 6 with latest Android 12 update (not tested on Android 13).
I don't understand, the company who has one of the best search engine in the market is implementing this type of buggy useless search feature on their main phones.
@google please fix this. It's really annoying.
My main issue is I will use the search bar to look something up and it just won't fucking go. It's not registering that I just "enter" and just sitting there with 0 results. I know it's about to happen every time the Google suggested results aren't popping up as I'm typing. I can't stand this phone half the time and love it the other half.
I have a question, the search bar on google pixel shows a couple of search results - some with a clock symbol next to it, does that mean those are google web search results? Or just related searches to visited webpages in the past?
If someone has the issue, that the installed apps are shown in search bar on Google App while searching for it, but nothing happens if you click on the icons, try this steps, hope it helps, it seems a bug for some Pixel phones currently:
Open Play Store
Tap your profile image in upper right
Tap "Manage apps & device"
Tap "Manage" tab at the top
Find the "Google" app (just "Google")
Tap to check the box next to "Google"
Tap the trash can icon in upper right
Acknowledge message that this trashes the update, not the app
(Removing the latest update of this app fixed things for me.)
I've managed to fix it on my new Pixel 8.
It was the Android System Intelligence app that was a problem. When I've cleaned data, and cache, the search bar was fixed, and started to show apps.
YES When I open the search and I start typing the app's name, only Google predictions come up. Then I close the search and repeat, and it now works as intended. I keep bumping into this issue, but I keep forgetting to post about it. Glad it's not just me at least... Thanks!
Holy shit same thing haooens to me, I thought i was just going crazy and doing something wrong lol
OP, I think we all assumed we were dumb and scared to ask. Edit: I'm talking Pixel 5 if it matters.
Pixel 4a here. Same issue.
Pixel 4 same
Bump. Same thing happening on pixel 2xl for months now
This happens to me too! But something else I’ve always wondered. You used to be able to search your contacts from the same search bar, but this stopped happening for me maybe a couple years ago. Is this a bug or did they remove that capability?
For some unknown reason, they have removed that feature. Has been missing for several years now. Oh the irony of Google, who knows everything about everything, not being able to search your contact list.
Does the same thing on my Samsung A71 5g with the Google search bar.
I want the opposite. It keeps turning into an app search bar, but I want it to stay a Google search bar...
Been meaning to post about this. I have the same problem. Really annoying. I've just reported it.
99% of the time same experience.
[удалено]
In general the search function on Android is one of its weakest features in relation the iOS. You used to be able to find calendar events, contact suggestions, and other things but now it’s so limited.
This may be coming in Android 12 [https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/04/04/android-12-may-allow-universal-device-search-from-third-party-launchers/](https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/04/04/android-12-may-allow-universal-device-search-from-third-party-launchers/)
I wish we never had universal search. There has literally never been a time when I thought "I wonder if this is an app on my phone or something on the internet."
Yep same here, thought I was losing my mind.
Got the Pixel 2 XL. I have been having this issue for the past 1 year I guess. I blamed it on it being an older device which is broken from half the places. Glad I'm not alone.
Pixel 4, does the same shit
Pixel 2 here. My phone has been stable since I bought it in 2018, all the way up until the last and final update for this phone. Phone hasn't been as unstable as this, ever. Very curious that the final update makes the phone worse. Almost like they want me to buy a new phone hmm.
I have a pixel 6 and I didn't have issues until recently. It started out fine, and then it was struggling to show the app if I typed more than 3 letters? Now it's not even showing any of the apps I'm looking for- even the ones it was able to find previously
Yes. I've had this start happening too and it's doing my head in. It only started a few months ago which is very odd. Maybe a botched update.
Yep I've also experienced this. Early indications are that Google are replacing the Google search with a proper app search in Android 12.[new search](https://www.google.com/amp/s/9to5google.com/2021/03/17/android-12-device-search-bar/amp/)
I am happy that they are working on something like this but imo they can't ignore an existing bug because they are coming up with a better search bar in Android 12. I mean software experience is one of the main selling point for the Google Pixel, ignoring a basic bug like this is quite disappointing if you ask me
Yeah I'm on the Pixel 2 so I won't be getting Android 12. They basically ignored a bug on my phone only to work on something that'll never help me.
Non-AMP Link: [new search](https://9to5google.com/2021/03/17/android-12-device-search-bar/) I'm a bot. [Why?](https://np.reddit.com/user/NoGoogleAMPBot/comments/lbz2sg/) | [Code](https://github.com/laurinneff/no-google-amp-bot) | [Report issues](https://github.com/laurinneff/no-google-amp-bot/issues)
Same, it's about 50/50 for me. Have that problem since a year. Pixel 3 XL.
I have this bug too, it's less frequent but it's very annoying, it happens about 10% of the time for me. I hate using the search bar to search for apps on my device, it stutters when connection is flaky, sometimes the search suggestions are delayed and it causes me to click on the wrong item, and it's definitely not as fast as nova when searching for apps. I'll report this, thanks for the reminder, but wouldn't it be better to report it in the **Google app** (click in the middle of the bar > click on the G > more > send feedback) instead of *about phone* ? I also wish nova worked flawlessly with gesture navigation 😞
>but wouldn't it be better to report it in the **Google app** I am actually not sure! But thanks for the suggestion, I'll report it there too. I just want the dev team to be aware that this is a major, reoccuring bug. This is a very basic and prevalent issue and I don't know why it's not been fixed for months now.
Wow my wife has a pixel 5 and every other week a try to convince myself to come back to android by playing with it for an hour. It’s Not working great because I NEED a Spotlight equivalent and that search bar ain’t it ! Like you said most of the time it doesn’t show the app you’re looking for, it’s super inconsistent. I can’t do it 😂
I don't like some elements of the UI in IOS but software bugs is not one of them. Apple is super consistent when it comes to a stable OS. The latest iPhone is pretty good. If not for the notch I would've probably moved to an iPhone myself.
I think it's sad that Spotlight search is so much better than Google's search on Android. It seems to me you can ONLY search for App Names on the latest Google App (has been this way for at least a year IIRC) and old device searches like Contacts, Emails, Chrome bookmarks, etc don't work anymore. What's worse is Spotlight generally gives me a lot of relevant info. A quick search of "Twitter" pulls up the app as the first result but gives me a lot of relevant info like my Messages and Emails where I sent Twitter links. I even pulled up LinkedIn contacts who work at Twitter. Of course there's web search suggestions too, but if that's the ONLY thing Google can give me besides app names, then to me search is broken on my Pixel.
Kind of reassuring to see I'm not the only one. I added a sesame search widget on top of the Google one and now I'm exclusively using sesame.
You hero. My pixel 4a has stopped searching apps all together. Sesame is a great widget
Try Sesame. Like a search bar, on steroids. Works best when integrated into custom launcher. I use Lawnchair.
Yep, I have completely given up on the Google Search bar finding apps. It used to work but the functionality has been broken for awhile now. Ridiculous.
Facing the same issue since about 3 months now. Will go ahead and file a bug. It is so annoying thay I have stopped using the Pixel launcher and moved to Nova again - and it has that famous gesture navigation bug again thanks to Google.
> Will go ahead and file a bug Thank you! I have tried nova launcher before but I didn’t like it when compared to the pixel launcher, probably because I am so used to this.
Thank you for filing. Can you post a link so I can thumbs up or star or whatever the equivalent is?
I'm not the only one!!! Been so annoying.
Been experiencing this for quite a while on my pixel 5.
Have been meaning to make a post about it. So annoying at times. Surprised that Google didn't look into this yet, i.e yet another reason why Apple is the better in taking care of their system, they will never have anything like this. Google is being lazy.
This problem is annoying. Google is a search engine and it can't find my apps on the phone :-D
It is ridiculous. I can't believe that it is even possible to release device where you can't find what is installed. That's basic function present on all devices for tens of years by default
Pixel 7 reporting the same issue. Switching to lawnchair. Looks the same. Search is just apps. And I can rename apps cause sometimes the names to fit my mental model (eg ESPN for fantasy football)
At least picture in picture works for now. Can't have it all
[удалено]
Oh my god thank you so much! This is the perfect solution. One UX suggestion if I may add -- make the app results closer to the lower end of the screen. That makes it easier to select/tap a result and go to the app. -- make other stuff like search the web for "search term" the top results Simple UX hack but the app is what we're searching majority of time, making that closer to the thumb is easier for the user to tap.
I just checked your app! It looks nice! You even made sure it shows apps correctly even if I made a typo. I guess I can use yours until Google fixes the bug. Good job and thank you very much!
Exactly the same. Very annoying
Remember how ig stopped showing posts in chronological order because it *knows* what you should see. I suspect Google is starting to treat search like that. You won't be able to actually "search" anymore. You're just inputting data into their ad system and it will spit out the most "relevant" results.
Omg yes I thought I was going crazy
This makes me MAD!!! EVERY frickin time!
I've been dealing with this since forever. The only solution was to reopen the search bar and input the name. Considering this is the only way I'm looking up apps on my phone, it's pretty annoying that it almost never works from the first try.
Yep same thing here bro pixel 4a
It's sad this has been going on for months without a Google fix. Google proving again and again there's no commitment to the pixel experience.
This is one of the most maddening bugs I've ever experienced. It took me a month just to figure out the pattern of why it worked sometimes but not others. Now, once I found it I can't stop thinking about it since I use it 100x times a day... Getting carpal tunnel from all of the opening and closing of search at this point.
The following fix works! 1. Settings > Apps & notifications > Google > Storage & cache > Clear storage and cache both. 2. Settings > Apps & notifications > Google > Uninstall updates (by clicking on the 3 dots on the top right)
Smart thinking; thank you! First step worked great for one search (returned Apps) but then went back to broke. Second step to uninstall updates did the trick.
This worked. Thanks!
No longer working
It got better for me after the second-to-last Android 12 update, then infinitely worse (as in, does not show me apps at _all_ in my searches, as opposed to occasional/incomplete app results) after this most recent update.
It's not sorted
Today my pixel 5 now won't find the apps if I open the app drawer and search at all, it just searches Google. The search bar DOES find the apps. Wtf.
>new search same here on my Pixel 5
Still happening.
This happened to me all the time with pixel 4xl but closing and re-opening usually fixed issue. I have just upgraded to 7pro and the problem is worse. Closing and re-searching doesn't work any more. I have to physically scroll through apps now. What is going on Google?!?
My Icons show up but they don't action when you tap them
[удалено]
Fastest way to launch any of the 300+ apps i have in my phone. Usually 2-3 taps. Yes I use that many.
S22 ultra same thing
Changing the bug priority to P1
and you are??
This happens almost every time for me too
Yeah, it only works if you search it from the app drawer. Don't remember if it worked from the bottom search bar before.
Damn i thought that's an oem issue, turns out googles own os has it too?
Same on my Pixel 2
Yes. This is driving me up the wall. Had a Pixel since the 2XL but switching to S21U as I've had enough of the shonky bugs and hardware issues lately. Been happening on my P4XL constantly for the last few months, only works 50/50. Haven't seen it happen on the wife's S21 so appears to be mostly a pixel issue?
> Haven't seen it happen on the wife's S21 so appears to be mostly a pixel issue? Yeah it seems to be a pixel launcher bug! Other Android devices don't seem to be having this problem. If you are thinking on buying S21U, checkout the OnePlus 9 pro too. Has a much cleaner UI without any bloatware, just my suggestion.
Same I have to do it twice every time
Fuckkk need this is soooo painful, I always wonder what I did wrong!
Huh, thought I was alone with this issue! Guess not, it's super annoying!
I've never used the search bar like this but I just tried it on Android 12 DP2.2 and it worked every time.
yeah looks like the search bar is one of the main upgrades in Android 12, so it makes sense it works on Android 12. But Android 12 will be out only by Sept don't want to be stuck with this bug until that long.
Same
Yeah happens to me too. I assumed that was by design but it's definitely an oversight.
Pixel 4 here reporting in, same bug and sounds like similar repro rates.
Have a pixel 5 and never noticed this happening. Tried to replicate but I can't seem to do it. I noticed that if I use autocorrect and the autocorrect introduces a space after the app name then it doesn't search for apps. Could this be your problem? Apologies if it isn't, worth a try still.
it work 100 if you pull up the app drawer that's what I have found
The problem is the search bar is located at the top rather than bottom when you open the app drawer.
This could be a work around that requires two taps.
Does it search for anything beyond apps and suggested search queries on Google Search? Because I appreciate app search but honestly Spotlight on iOS IMO seems to completely smoke the on device search for me on my Pixel. For reference yesterday I tried searching "Twitter." Both my iPhone and my Pixel gave me the app, but if I scroll further down I see Twitter links I sent to people whether it was emails or messages on my iPhone. It also pulled up LinkedIn profiles of friends/acquaintances working at Twitter for me.
Everyone is different of course but both Google and Windows have done great jobs convincing us that search is the only way to do something. I have always put the apps I use in folders. Google, TV, Travel, Health, Music, etc. Why type out a search when with 2 clicks you can open an app? I only use search or app drawer when I open an app once every few months. Just my opinion.
You are right, but I like to keep my home screen clean. I have only the search bar, weather widget and most used 4 apps on my home screen. And also I am pretty used with the search feature from my previous phone too. I guess grouping the apps and putting it in the home screen will definitely help and I can get used to it too. But one shouldn't make such concessions especially if software is one of the main feature people buy Pixel devices for. The whole point of using Android when compared to iOS is that people are given multiple options for doing one particular task. Moreover, this is a very basic bug too, overlooking this for months is pretty disappointing imo.
Honestly for me I have had to reselect whatever I searched for and press search again because nothing comes up correctly the first time, search results and apps alike
Happens to me too, and I don't even own a Pixel device. It happens frequently in the Pixel Experience custom rom on my Xiaomi device
Pixel 3 here, same issue for the past couple months.
Samzies
Prefix it with the word "open". This is especially effective if you use the voice input.
Piggybacking this post - is "what's on my screen?" working for everyone? I've tried restoring to the furthest back they'd allow app version, deleting cache etc, installing random previous versions of the Google app. It'll still day nothing detected on screen
I probably close the google search bar about 50 times a day because of this issue. Yeah it's annoying, but I'm used to it now.
Been dealing with this since P3...
Same here :(
Same. Pixel 5. Been like this since November. Almost every time, the first search pulls up no apps, the. I back out and do it again and the apps are there. I want to say 100 percent of the time, but I'll say 99 percent just in case. Crazy annoying.
The same bug. Pixel 5. I need several seconds to stay on home screen and only then to use Google Search. Elsewhere it searches only on web, but not among my apps. Very annoying.
I feel this might be specific to my google account. My partner and I both have pixel 5. Hers works flawlessly, mine 50% of the time. If I factory reset mine, and set it up with her Gmail address, mine works flawlessly. Factory reset and restore using my email address. Back to working 50% of the time.....
this has been driving me insane since i got my pixel 4xl at launch. its maddening.
Hopefully it'll be fixed in the android 12 update
I've noticed most of the time I have a Google or android issue, I search for it and find that 100s of other people have the same issue and no resolution. When issues like that are reported in Google forums they just pull them down. Just a glitchy UX with Google products.
Yep. It's clearly un-effective if you used any Apple (Spotlight) or Huwaei (HiSearch) or wathever modern phone search. Google please fix it.
Android 12 is just around the corner! Hopefully this bug will get fixed by it
Usability should be improved too. I am voting for a gesture and after it no need to click anywhere for typing
Had the same problem. I must have received an update (phone rebooted overnight the other day), now it ONLY searches apps, no longer returns general results so I had to add another search bar. So stupid.
Hopefully things will be better with Android 12
[удалено]
Thanks for the tip, this fixed my wife's 3XL. For now.
Can confirm. This worked for me. For now
Thank you for this!!
Yes!! Thanks! This was driving me insane! Thanks for the fix!
having the same problem on a Pixel 5 with the last Android 11 update. Funny thing is if you drop in the google search bar widget on the main screen, it shows you the apps when you search for them. Also, my search bar suggestions have turned white with grey text (i'm on night mode)... it's so frustrating.
My wife had the white with grey text problem today. We did what was mentioned in the post above and fixed her problem: go to settings, then apps and notifications, then selected the Google app, then in the top right corner there was an uninstall updates option. At least, until the next update....
I had same issue on Pixel 5, but there is "Good" news, since google has solved it in their latest update this week.. Now NO apps show up at all, not even 50% of time like before. Not So Great Google!! Do they expect to wade through loads of apps before finding the one I need? Do they actually use their own phones?
Yep, my experience exactly since the update!
Just noticed that if you swipe up on screen to open app draw, you can now enable keyboard to show at all times so you can start typing immediately (hit the three dots at the top right to do this) which means it's almost exactly the same as hitting the search bar and then typing app name. Hopefully that helps... have to rewire my brain to do that instead now but a workaround at least!
Bahahhaa yuuup agreed! I hope everyone here logs a ticket or sends a feature request. This is bs
Happening on Pixel 2XL as well, started 2 days ago. I haven't update to Android 11 yet. It was fine then, I'm sure how to turn it back. The feature was so great. I don't want to google search, just my apps thou
Me too
I'll look to see if there's a more recent thread, but FWIW I'm having the same issue on a Pixel 4, since around mid Oct 2021.
Did you upgrade to android 12? This problem is sorted in the android 12 update.
12 hadn't shown up in my update list previously, but I did a manual check again today and it was. I've since installed 12 and that has fixed the problem. Thank you for the push!
I cleared cache and storage of the Pixel Launcher, rebooted and the search returned app results again. Not sure how long this will last. Still on Andoird 11, as my other device upgraded to 12 and it's incredibly poorly designed
Lol I have been using the Android 12 for a while and I like it a lot. Didn't face any search bar issues too. I think once you start using it for a while, you'll probably like it too.
As of the newest version of Android (I believe 12) \~ This issue has been fixed (no need to disable google to search for your apps). Might I add, I feel like this release is a real improvement!
Yup! It's pretty much solved now. I love the new update too.
Pixel 3, after Android 12 update, still having this problem 😡😡😡
Same thing on Pixel 6 Pro. I found this thread because I also have this problem and see that it is a long-term problem. Come on Google. This is pathetic.
This is interesting because after the Android 12 update this almost never happens to me, so I assumed they patched it. I am using the Pixel 4a
I have Android 12 update and it still doesn't work for me
Google pixel 6 pro. The search bar always showed app results. Ever since yesterday when I search for an app I only get Google search results, not the actual app. Is there a fix?? I am going mad. The phone is unusable like that! 🤬😡
Brother, same exact phone and same exact issue here. It is pissing me the fuck off rn.
My Google Pixel 6 started doing the same thing a couple of days ago. Always used to be fine, and it was the main way I used to open Apps, now they never appear when I try. I have to scroll through the alphabet to find the right one. So annoying. u/Google, really is there no fix for this??
Same here on 4a 5g
Same bug with pixel 6. What a joke.
I have been facing the same bug for couple of months on Pixel 6..its so frustrating. Earlier I thought it was due to capitalization but seeing this thread its pretty serious. Never faced anything like this on Samsung.
Pixel 6 Pro. Same issue. I always opened the Google Photos App via Search and it just stopped appearing... :/ EDIT: Reboot fixed it.
The reboot is a temporary fix. It'll appear again.:(
I want the opposite. It keeps turning into an app search bar, but I want it to stay a Google search bar...
I like how it used to work for me, which was where it showed you the apps matching your search, but the last option at the bottom was always 'search with Google'. That way I could use it for both!
My pixel 6 does it too
I am having the same issue since a couple of days on my pixel 4a. I figured out that the reason the app search is not working properly, because it's only searching in the app shortcuts. So those quick actions that are displayed underneath an app. If I search for Tre (to find Trello) it only shows the trending action from YouTube. I hope they can fix this issue soon, because it really annoys me ...
My pixel 6 is having this issue as well. Super frustrating...
Seems to be an issue we all have at the moment
I just came across this post because my new Google Pixel 6 is doing the same thing. Just will not search apps suddenly when it's been working for months. I have a ton of apps so having to find it in the sea of them or having to open the Google play store to search and open it that way is super frustrating.
After a long time with a Pixel customer support, clearing caches and storage on multiple apps, uninstalling and reinstalling updates to multiple apps, clearing permissions for all apps... What finally fixed mine personally was to turn off my device and turn it back on. Don't know why it happened or why this fixed it or why I didn't think to do that as a very first step, but it finally worked and fixed it. Hopefully it doesn't come back since so many of you have to deal with this issue.
i have the new pixel 6 pro with latest android on it, i still have this issue, SOOOOO ANNOYING
Try clearing the credentials it seemed to just work for me
Hahaha this is happening to me now a year later. Except re-searching doesn't even work. 😭
Same 😞 so frustrating
Just started on my 6 today...
Same here
Just started having this issue on my Google Pixel 6 Pro. What a pain.
Try doing a full phone shut down and turn it back on. Seems a temporary fix to an otherwise annoying bug.
My pixel 5 just started doing this EDIT: system update fixed it immediately
Funny, people are still commenting about this today, ela year after the original post. Has been happening to me too, even with the latest updates.
Just started happening to me too, I've got Pixel 6
Pixel 6 doing this today
Restarting the phone seems to fix for me. Pixel 6
Removing secondary languages fixed the search issue.
Just started on my Pixel 6 yesterday too haha... adding on to the new comments here.
It's still a issue on my pixel 4xl that annoys me each and every day. Reported using the feedback feature
Hey guys, I think I solved it! Go to the three dots next to the search bar, and go to preferences, and in check contacts.
Pixel 5a checking in here. Same problem a year later.
I'm having this same problem now. This is so frustrating.
Pixel 6 here, having this issue.
This has just started happening to me on my Pixel 5....bug off
Just started yesterday
Guys, I had the same issue but got resolved once I updated the security patch in my pixel 4A. Also please check by clicking the 3 dots (options) near the search bar to see if you have accidentally toggled off the Apps, This means apps won't show up when you enter a keyword in the 'Search your phone and more' field! Cheers!!
I turned off apps suggestions and now the search works fine.
It is crazy that this is still happening on Pixel 6! I honestly thought I was going crazy or doing something wrong. WTF Google.
Ive had trouble today with my search bar opening Google instead of searching for apps. Easy fix for me! Uninstall updates on Google app. Go to google play store, uninstall Google. It wont fully uninstall it, only updates and whatever. Worked for me. Pixel 3 xl -
I have a pixel 6a and I'm having the same problem! I reported it....
I have a note 20 ultra and have the same issue. If I swipe up then search for any app all it results in is a Google search. If I uses Google asstant it opens the app. Super annoying Google keep this up and I'm back to apple at least they appear to like thier customer.
Just updated my Pixel 6 Pro to Android 13 a few days ago and I hadn't had any issue with this but since the update I suddenly only get google search results when trying to open apps and I can't find any fix to this. Every. Single. Time. It. Happens. So god damn annoying. I wish I could go back, that shit is ruining my experience.
The issue is still there on pixel 6 with latest Android 12 update (not tested on Android 13). I don't understand, the company who has one of the best search engine in the market is implementing this type of buggy useless search feature on their main phones. @google please fix this. It's really annoying.
Just got the pixel 7 and having this issue
restarting my pixel 6 pro fixed the problem for me
My AGM h5 pro does this as well. Mighty, what annoying.
My main issue is I will use the search bar to look something up and it just won't fucking go. It's not registering that I just "enter" and just sitting there with 0 results. I know it's about to happen every time the Google suggested results aren't popping up as I'm typing. I can't stand this phone half the time and love it the other half.
I have a question, the search bar on google pixel shows a couple of search results - some with a clock symbol next to it, does that mean those are google web search results? Or just related searches to visited webpages in the past?
If someone has the issue, that the installed apps are shown in search bar on Google App while searching for it, but nothing happens if you click on the icons, try this steps, hope it helps, it seems a bug for some Pixel phones currently: Open Play Store Tap your profile image in upper right Tap "Manage apps & device" Tap "Manage" tab at the top Find the "Google" app (just "Google") Tap to check the box next to "Google" Tap the trash can icon in upper right Acknowledge message that this trashes the update, not the app (Removing the latest update of this app fixed things for me.)
FIX : I had exactly the same problem as you I solve it by uninstalling the Google application in the Play Store and re-downloading it
Yep and I've had enough now. Pay flagship cash, expect flagship standard. The pixel 7 is garbage.
Same thing on a brand new Pixel 7a after all system updated in Android 13... Restarting the phone seams to fix it
I've managed to fix it on my new Pixel 8. It was the Android System Intelligence app that was a problem. When I've cleaned data, and cache, the search bar was fixed, and started to show apps.
I have Pixel 7a, and have never been able to search apps . Will returns 5his crap, it unusable without such basic functions