Up is down and down is up in Android 17 Beta 1. The primary iteration of Google’s Android 17 replace brings again a well-recognized design instead of the Pixel Launcher’s immovable search bar.
Simply two days after Google pulled again its scheduled Android 17 rollout, the corporate has formally made the replace out there to the general public. The Android 17 Beta 1 replace brings just a few adjustments with out overhauling your complete look of Google’s OS to the purpose of unrecognizability.
One facet that did change is the Pixel Launcher search bar. The brand new model seems acquainted as a result of it’s primarily based on a design the Google Search app used for its customized widget in Android 15. The 2 “search bars” are totally different: one is offered throughout most Android units, whereas the Pixel Launcher’s model is offered solely on the Pixel collection.
The Pixel Launcher search bar not too long ago underwent a redesign mirroring that of the Google Search widget in 2025 throughout an Android 16 replace. On secure variations, the design has a Materials You-inspired background with a search capsule and an AI Mode shortcut.
Android 17 Beta 1’s change regresses the search bar to a design that has no colourful backing. Relatively, it’s a barely clear capsule that provides a shortcut – AI Mode by default – and the usual Google Lens and voice search choices.
The brand new design is customized, identical to the outdated Google Search app widget. Its settings have modified considerably, too. As an illustration, the Google Search app now not affords a “System” theming choice. The “System” theme takes on the burden of including Materials You colours to the “G” emblem with a number of hues, slightly than a stable backing.
Transparency and coloration choices appear to work on a few of our units operating Android 17 Beat 1, however not all.
It’s unclear if this modification will keep in place in Google’s Android 17 timeline. This regression feels very acquainted to what Google did to the Pixel Launcher search perform within the November 2025 Function Drop. As an alternative of a Materials You sheet sliding up from the underside of the display, the Google Search app expertise was roped in, providing a dated expertise. Google famous {that a} good thing about this new/outdated look was an simply accessible AI Mode.
The brand new Pixel Launcher search bar on this first beta iteration of Android 17 doesn’t look dangerous in any respect. It nonetheless seems like whiplash, although.
To get the most recent on Android 17, you’ll want to observe our protection and be a part of the dialog in our new 9to5Google Discussion board.
FTC: We use earnings incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. More.
Thanks for studying! Be part of our neighborhood at Spectator Daily
