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have they fixed that yet?
They likely never will, because as far as Google is concerned that's a feature instead of a bug. You're at their mercy as long as you're using their launcher. Personally, I switched to Niagara Launcher for this exact reason.
You could switch to Graphene OS, no search bar.
Obligatory note on Nova being bought over a while ago by a data mining company. Apologies if you already knew that OP.
Just install GrapheneOS
"just"
Yes, just. It takes around 10-15 minutes and zero technical knowledge. As long as you can plug something into a USB port, read a website, and click a couple of buttons on the website, you can install Graphene OS.
FYI, what you consider "zero technical knowledge" is actually quite a lot of technical know-how for the average person. Think about the stereotype of technical support people explaining how to find the power button, then extrapolate from there.
Yes, but the answer should not be based on this kind of stuff. You will always find people that can't do anything simple. Installing graphene is really simple. Read what is on screen. And go on.
I recommend discrete launcher from fdroid
Discreet Launcher (Enjoy a clean home screen while accessing everything in an instant) https://f-droid.org/packages/com.vincent_falzon.discreetlauncher/
For the lazy. :)
Nova launcher has been great the entire time that I've owned an Android. And then the other day I read that they're selling our information. Like what the fuck man? You can't just buy a product any more without it literally spying on you. We used to call this stuff spyware, and had programs to remove it from our computers. Now it's just called business as usual. Anyways, I stopped using Nova launcher and I like my phone less because of it.
that explains why they stopped treating users like clients.
You can make it use a different search engine, but that's about it. Oh, and the update that made it possible also brought a google-only circle to search gesture to older Pixels - ~~if you switch search provider, that gesture won't be available~~. Edit: it worked like that on release, but apparently has been fixed since. Now circle to search works (using Google) no matter what search provider you use for the search bar.
It doesn't seem to have been rolled out in Canada. I don't see the setting.
Apparently it's an EU thing due to the recent DMA changes
https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-launcher-change-default-search-engine/
I mean, to be fair, I don't think it's up to Google to create an image search feature for DDG or someone else on their phones
If Microsoft got busted for giving Internet Explorer special APIs not available to other programs (which made it the best browser on Windows because of its tight integration that could not be replicated by the competition), then what business does Google have doing pretty much the same thing here?
It doesn't appear like there's any way for other search providers to hijack your nav pill and randomly pop up their own UI when you hold it, so why should Google?
Very good point. Thank you for the alternative perspective
I have default search changed to DDG but if I use circle to search it will use Google search... I'm fine with that though.
Oh, I tried it now and it really works. I still have mixed feelings about it, but that's definitely an improvement over how it worked at release.
As someone who has used a Samsung for the last 10 years, it was shocking to see this when I purchased and setup 2 pixel 8a's that I got for my parents yesterday (couldnt turn down the offer for 2 free phones and cutting $100 a month off their old bill by switching to google fi). It was literally one of the things I kept looking at, and going there has to be a way to remove this, but I also didn't have much time to look into it either. Good to know so I don't have to look back into it. What a terrible UI option...
I just set up a new Samsung Galaxy A54 (?) for my mom and it automatically installed facebook and tiktok with no way of stopping the install. At least nowadays you can uninstall that crap again afterwards without adb.
Unfortunately, the only way seems to be to use another launcher. I've been using the non-free Smart Launcher, which meets my needs well and has a decent level of features and customization. I also quite like Kvaesisto which has a highly customizable and powerful search (FOSS).
I don't think that there is a major Pixel/AOSP based launcher in development rn, but someone else may know of one. ~~Lawnchair is ancient history~~, NeoLauncer is dead.
Does Smart Launcher sell all of your information like Nova Launcher does?
It's closed and for profit, but they seem to be better than most.
Tracker report (Google crash analytics , GSM)
Thanks
I literally forgot that even existed down there until I read this post. I've never once used it.
Nope still there and I've yet to find a way to remove it. Curious why don't you want it there?
it's in my way
It's the main reason I use a custom launcher (Lawnchair). It's not possible to remove search from stock pixel launcher.
have you been having any problems with it? Nova launcher has been freezing a bunch lately, and the camera shortcut is broken when using it
I'm using Lawnchair 14 Beta 2, so I'm expecting a few bugs here and there. Sometimes app icons in the app drawer are suddenly way smaller than usual, but I just restart Lawnchair when that happens. But it runs smooth most of the time.
I find Google search to be just a bad product these days. Would love to switch to another search provider
