Latest Top Posts

google-play-will-come-with-strict-memory-rules-starting-in-november

Google Play Will Come With Strict Memory Rules Starting In November

the-moto-g-stylus-2025-just-launched,-and-you-can-now-get-one-at-a-50%-off

The Moto G Stylus 2025 Just Launched, And You Can Now Get One At A 50% Off

samsung’s-leaked-cases-for-the-galaxy-s25-edge-look-almost-as-thin-as-the-phone-itself

Samsung’s Leaked Cases For The Galaxy S25 Edge Look Almost As Thin As The Phone Itself

samsung-is-ramping-up-galaxy-s25-production-over-fear-of-tariffs

Samsung Is Ramping Up Galaxy S25 Production Over Fear Of Tariffs

you-haven’t-seen-true-power-until-you’ve-seen-the-dcs-lina-dac-x

You Haven’t Seen True Power Until You’ve Seen The DCS Lina DAC X

Google’s New Search Widget Puts More Emphasis On Your Custom Shortcut

Applications Google google app Add Comment 3 Min Read
google’s-new-search-widget-puts-more-emphasis-on-your-custom-shortcut
Google’s New Search Widget Puts More Emphasis On Your Custom Shortcut

4

Sign in to your Android Police account

a phone in hand with the google search shortcut settings screen open

Summary

  • Google is rolling out a redesigned Search widget for the Google app on Android, giving the customizable shortcut a more prominent circular placement on the right side of the widget.
  • The update, currently in beta (version 16.17.38), also introduces new shortcut options like AI Mode, Saved, and News, expanding the total available choices to eleven.
  • The new widget design requires a minimum width of 4×1 to display all elements, and the rollout appears to be a server-side switch, not solely tied to the app update.

Google significantly enhanced the Google app Search widget’s functionality (not to be confused with the launcher’s similar-looking search bar) earlier this year in February with the option to add custom shortcuts.

The feature, which had been in active development since September 2024 at the very least, is now widely available to users, bringing quick access to commonly-used tools like Translate, Song search, Weather, and more.

Home screen image highlighting the Google app search widget.

Related

Now, Google is ironing out the kinks and refining the app’s widget experience, with a prominent emphasis on your custom shortcut.

First spotted by the folks over 9to5Google, Google App beta version 16.17.38 unlocks access to a refined Search widget UI with an overall thicker pill and a relocated placement for the customizable shortcut.

Screenshots highlighting the Google app's redesign widget.

Left (old), right (new)

The new design adopts the overarching pill design seen with the recent Circle to Search (CtS) redesign, with the Google app logo (to the left) and the Lens and mic icons (to the right) retaining their positions. The custom shortcut, however, now appears within its own distinct circular button situated on the far right of the widget, giving it somewhat increased visual prominence.

See also  Doordash Spends Big To Get You Out Of The House For Your Next Meal

Elsewhere, the update also unlocks access to new shortcuts, including AI Mode, Saved, and News, bringing the total number of available shortcuts to eleven.

Out of the seven devices we tried, with the same Google account, the new UI only surfaced on one device, suggesting that the rollout is part of a server-side switch rather than a simple app update — at least for now. For what it’s worth, once the redesigned layout rolls out to you, you’ll need to ensure your widget spans at least 4×1 to see all elements. The compact 3×1 widget cuts off the custom shortcut.

Tags: