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App Search: Find apps fast, by Axolotl9, is a utility for finding and opening installed apps. Android Police writer Jon Gilbert described using it as his preferred way to search for apps, launched with a press-and-hold power-button gesture. That is different from replacing the fixed search bar in the Pixel Launcher: the account does not show that App Search can take over that bar.
What the Pixel search-bar story actually describes
In an Android Police article syndicated by Yahoo Tech and published August 30, 2026, Jon Gilbert wrote: “When I search for an app, I want to search for apps.” He was looking for a focused way to find and launch apps without mixing in suggestions or broader search results.
His reported setup made App Search his chosen app-search method. It did not establish that the app removes, replaces, or takes over the Pixel Launcher’s built-in search bar. So “replaced my search bar” is best understood as a change in how the author searched for apps, not a demonstrated launcher-bar replacement.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How App Search is described to work
Find and open an installed app
The article describes a simple flow: open App Search, type a query, then choose an installed app from the results. Its search window reportedly includes a search field and a settings control. The author says the app is free and has no ads, but those details—and its permissions and data practices—were reported in the article, not independently verified against a current store listing or privacy disclosure.
#1 Best Overall
- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
Adjust matching and results
According to Gilbert’s account, settings include matching from the beginning of terms, optional fuzzy search, and T9 search. The app can reportedly be set to open an exact match automatically or to open the only result when a search returns just one app. There is also an option to search beyond apps, including contacts and web results; enabling broader search would make the experience less strictly app-only.
Change the appearance
The article also reports appearance and layout controls. These are app-interface customizations, not evidence that the Pixel Launcher’s own search bar has been modified.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
Can you open app search with the power button?
Gilbert says he assigned App Search the Android assistant role and then selected the press-and-hold power-button gesture to launch it. He mentions Quick Tap as another possible launch method but chose the power-button gesture. The article does not provide a version-by-version setup path, and gesture availability or labels can vary with Android version, device settings, and configuration. Check the assistant and gesture options available on your Pixel rather than assuming the same steps will appear on every device.
The author reports using the app for one week and preferring its focused behavior. “Faster” is his personal assessment; the account gives no timed benchmark or controlled comparison, so it is not a measured speed guarantee.
What you can change in Pixel’s built-in search bar
Google’s Pixel Help guidance covers search-bar theme and shortcut settings, as well as ordinary widget placement and removal. To adjust the search bar, long-press it and open Widget settings. To remove a home-screen widget, long-press it and drag it to Remove. Google also explains that widgets can be added by long-pressing an empty area of the home screen, choosing Widgets, selecting an app and widget, and placing it. Some of that guidance applies only to Android 14 and later.
Those controls do not establish that App Search can replace the fixed Pixel Launcher search bar. Removing a widget and making a separate app your preferred way to search for installed apps are different actions.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
Choose the approach that fits what you want
| Approach | What it is for | What the source establishes |
|---|---|---|
| App Search: Find apps fast | A focused utility for searching and launching installed apps | Android Police’s account describes its features and one author’s use; it does not establish replacement of the Pixel Launcher bar. |
| Lawnchair | A broader home-screen launcher replacement with local, on-device search | Its Google Play listing describes it as free and open source, based on Launcher3, in beta, and updated April 18, 2026. |
| Pixel search-bar settings | Customize the built-in bar’s themes and shortcuts | Google’s Pixel Help guidance documents these settings, plus ordinary widget controls. |
Lawnchair is a different kind of change: it replaces more of the home-screen experience than a dedicated app-search utility does. Its beta status, as stated in the listing updated April 18, 2026, matters if you want a settled launcher rather than a focused app finder.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsOther projects, including Essentials and PixelLauncherMods, have been discussed in connection with changing the Pixel search bar. A community post describes beta removal or replacement through Essentials, while PixelLauncherMods documents limitations for its own widget-replacement method, including blank widgets, freezes, and a workaround that leaves space reserved. These are separate projects and methods; their claims and limitations should not be attributed to App Search.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
What to verify before installing or changing your setup
- Check the current app listing for availability, compatibility, permissions, and privacy disclosures. The published account’s claims about price, ads, permissions, and data collection have not been independently confirmed here.
- Confirm that your Android version and device expose the assistant and power-button gesture options you intend to use.
- Decide whether you want a dedicated way to find apps, customization of the existing search bar, or a different launcher. Those are distinct goals, and App Search is described as the first.
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