Pixel - Persistent Google Search bar workaround if you use another search provider.

Google Pixel Phones QPR3 Search Workaround- How it looks.gif

I use a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. I am pretty happy with the phone apart from the persistent search bar not being remappable in most countries without various ADB/Root/Shizuku workarounds, you can't even remove it! I've tried custom launchers, they are however just buggy and don't integrate well with the system gestures, they've made great strides but I try keep my phone trim without any apps I don't use or need. I've just had to live with it...

Since the QPR3 Android 16 update however, I've found a way so the search bar isn't just a redundant bar I never use. Since the update, disabling the Google app causes the search bar to fire a generic "http://" web intent and it'll open in your default browser. This is a step forward vs before the update where it'd not do anything useful, now it'll at least launch the browser.

I use Kagi as my main search engine and I have Google Search completely disabled on my phone. This should work with any browser or search engine of choice though.

Here's how the search bar looks once the google app is disabled:

This might seem a little complex, but it works seamlessly and URLCheck is a great app to begin with.

URLCheck

Since this is a browser intent with a link, this can be intercepted. I've used URLCheck for years as my default browser, it allows me to check links before they open, alter them, remove tracking and pick which app or browser I want to use. It's really a great app, you can even do scanning of the link or use an unshort service. The more advanced use cases for URLCheck allow altering URLs and automating certain actions. For example I redirect x.com links to nitter.net, reddit.com to old.reddit.com, add HTTPS to any links. I won't discuss them today. These same features in the app allow us to:

• Intercept the browser intent from the new google search bar
  
• Use a regex replacement of the "http://" it tries to use, to your search engine of choice
  
• Force a browser to always open links directly via URLCheck automations.
  

Outcome: This in effect will open kagi.com in firefox when clicking the default launcher search bar. You could take this further if your search engine of choice could directly open links (It works with DuckDuckGo browser).

URL Check Setup

• Uninstall/Disable the Google app.
  
• Install the app - URLCheck
  
• Set it as your default browser, so it intercepts links.
  
• Enable the pattern Checker module and go into the JSON Editor (Modules -> Pattern Checker Enable -> Json Editor)
  
• Inside the JSON editor enter the below replacement - This will replace in URLCheck "http://" with "https://kagi.com"

  "http:\/\/tokagi": {
    "regex": "^http:\/\/$",
    "replacement": "https:\/\/kagi.com",
    "automatic": "true",
    "enabled": "true"
  },

• Next under the automation tab you need to add an automation that will automatically open your browser with your search engine when clicked via the Search Bar
• Enter this automation - Referrer is the app that is launched with the google search bar, package is the app you want to open your search provider link we set below.

  "googlesearchbar": {
    "referrer": "com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher",
    "action": "open",
    "args": {
      "package": "org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid"
    },
    "stop": false,
    "enabled": true
  },

If you want to use another search provider change replacement above:

• Google:
  

"replacement": "https:\/\/google.com"

• DDG:

"replacement": "https:\/\/duck.com"

If you wanted another app that's not Fennec Firefox to open the link change package to:

• DDG: com.duckduckgo.mobile.android
  
• Chrome: com.android.chrome
• Brave: com.brave.browser
• Vivaldi: com.vivaldi.browser
• Samsung Internet: com.sec.android.app.sbrowser

It's a crying shame Google seemingly doesn't let you change the search provider... Or remove the widget to use your own Search Widget, but here we are.

Caveats:

Disabling the google app:

• Assistant/Gemini: Voice commands and AI features will cease to function.
• At a Glance: The weather and calendar widget at the top of the home screen may break or lose functionality.
• Circle to Search: This feature will be disabled.
• Lens: Integration within the camera and recent apps screen will disappear.

Final Output: