Google might finally let you pick your own search engine on Pixel Launcher

Recent findings suggest that Google could be working on an option that will allow you to change the stock search engine of the Pixel Launcher search bar for another of your preference, opening up new possibilities not only for customization but also for functionality.

The Google Pixel launcher offers a ‘universal search’ function through its search bar, allowing you to find all types of content both locally on your storage and online. From there, you can easily access contacts, apps, settings, and more just by typing the name. However, the new change could affect the source of the online results.

As you would expect on a Google device, online results are powered by its own search engine. That said, tipster Nail Sadykov spotted in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 a hidden option called ‘Search Engine’:

The function is still in development and does not yet work, but both its name and the string “Select the app you’ll use to search the Web. This will affect search and content on your home screen” make it quite clear what it is about.

So, in the near future, you could replace Google with other options like DuckDuckGo or Bing as the engine for online search results. This should not affect the operation of the search for local items but rather the results you get from the internet.

Among the responses to the post on X, user Lance Adams added that they found some flags in the Google Chrome app for Android that could be related to the ‘Search Engine selection’ option:

As the screenshot suggests, the changes you make in the Pixel Launcher search bar may also be reflected in the Google Chrome search engine once the option is available. Being part of Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3, it is possible that the implementation of the option will arrive in the next March Pixel Feature Drop, although nothing is confirmed in this regard yet.

As to why Google may only now allow changing the search engine on its Pixel devices after so long, it may be due to regulatory challenges in certain regions. Lately, organizations like the EU have been strictly regulating big tech companies in favor of free competition, resulting in notable changes such as the implementation of USB-C in the iPhone 15 series (among others).

Whatever the reason, it is always good for the user to have the option to choose what they want to have on their devices, so this potential move would be positive for everyone.

Sources: 1, 2