How to return the search bar to the home screen Xiaomi Redmi

Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face the sudden disappearance of the Google search bar from the home screen, which can occur after updating the MIUI or HyperOS firmware, accidentally removing the widget or resetting the launcher settings. Lack of quick access to search significantly reduces the usability of the device, forcing the user to open a browser or separate application every time.

Fortunately, search bar restoration is a simple procedure that does not require root rights or complex code manipulation. Most of the time, the problem is solved by adding a widget through the widget menu or changing the settings of the launcher itself. Sometimes the search bar can be hidden in the interface settings, which is typical for new versions of the shells from the Chinese manufacturer.

In this article, we will discuss all the possible ways to help you return the familiar element of navigation to its place. We will look at the standard methods for different versions of the MIUI shell, and also touch on the nuances of working with widgets in the fresh HyperOS operating system. Follow the instructions consistently to find a solution that is suitable for your model.

Checking the presence of a widget in the application menu

The first and most obvious step is to check the list of available widgets. Often the search bar is not deleted completely, but simply disappears from the desktop due to a random swipe, and to return it, you need to pinch the empty space on the home screen or pinch with two fingers to go into editing mode.

In the menu that opens, select "Widgets." In the list of available items, look for the "Google" section. If you use a standard launcher, there should be a "Search" or "Google Search" option. Click on it and drag it to your desktop. If the widget is not listed, it may have been removed or disabled in the system settings.

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the widget may be called differently or be in the Tools category.It can take a while to find the widget if you have many apps installed.

It's worth noting that different versions of Android may have different layouts, for example, on Android 11 and 12, the widget menu structure was different from the newer versions, and if you've recently upgraded, the layout might have changed.

• 🔍 Click the empty area on the desktop to enter the editing menu.
• 📂 Go to the “Widgets” section and find the Google category.
• 📲 Drag the “Search” element to the main screen to the right place.

Set up the launcher and main screen in MIUI

The MIUI shell has deep interface settings that allow you to control the appearance of the desktop. If the standard addition of a widget did not help, it is worth checking the settings of the launcher itself. Go to Settings → Desktop or Settings → Main screen.

You can find options here that are associated with displaying the search bar. In some versions of the firmware, there is a "Show Search Bar" or "Google Discover" switch. Make sure it's activated. If the switch is already on, try turning it off, applying the changes, and then turning it on again. This action resets the launcher configuration.

Also available in the home screen settings is the Infinite Scrolling feature or grid change. Changing the density of the icons sometimes affects the display of widgets. If the search bar is built into the dock bar (bottom bar), it can disappear when you change the theme. Changing the theme to the standard often returns all elements to their places.

Notice the “Additional” section in the desktop settings, which may hide the option “Package Mode” or other features that affect the interface, and remember that after you make changes to the launcher settings, the system may ask for confirmation or perform a short-term reboot of the interface.

💡

Before changing the launcher settings, take a screenshot of the current icon arrangement. This will help you quickly restore the usual look of the desktop if the settings go wrong.

Enable Google Discover and Search Strings

Often, the desktop search bar is closely linked to Google Discover tape (formerly Google Now). In Xiaomi devices, this feature can be disabled by default or disabled after an update. To check its status, swipe to the right of the first screen of the main menu.

If the tape doesn't open or an error message appears, you need to activate it in the settings. Go to Settings → Home screen and find "Google Discover" or "Widget Ribbon". Make sure the switch is in the "On" position. Once the swipe is turned on to the right, it should open the news feed, and the search bar can appear automatically at the top of the screen or in the dock bar.

It's important to distinguish between a search widget and a Discover tape. A widget is a static string on the screen, and a Discover is a separate page with news. However, in MIUI, they are often related: activating one feature can lead to another. If you don't use the newsfeed, you can still add the search bar as a separate widget, as described in the first section.

If you try to activate Google Discover, you may have a “Your device is not certified” error or similar error, this may indicate problems with Google Play services. In this case, the search bar may not work correctly. Make sure that the device has all the necessary GMS (Google Mobile Services) services installed.

Resetting the Google and Launcher app settings

If visual settings don't work, there may have been a software failure in the system applications, in which case the effective method is to clean the cache and data, and this won't delete your personal files or contacts, but will return the application settings to factory values.

To start, reset the launcher settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find System Launcher (or System Launcher) in the list. Click on it and select Clear → Clear All Data. The screen can blink and the icons can return to their standard location. After that, try adding the search bar again.

If the problem persists, reset the settings of the Google app itself. In the same All Apps menu, find the Google app (the G color icon). Select Clear → Clear all data. Attention: After this action, the voice assistant settings and some search personalizations may reset, they will have to be reconfigured.

⚠️ Warning: After the launcher data is reset, all widgets and icons on the desktop will be reset to the factory. Remember in advance where the folders that are important to you were located to quickly restore order.

Performing these actions often solves problems that arise after a failed update or version conflict. The system re-initializes the interface components, and the search bar should appear in the list of available widgets or by default on the home screen.

Solving problems with updating Google services

The search bar is directly dependent on the version of the Google app installed and the components of Google Play Services. If these components are outdated or not working properly, the widget may stop showing.

Open Play Market, click on your profile avatar, and select App and Device Management. Under Update Availables, look for Google and Google Play Services. If updates are available, install them. Once installed, be sure to restart the device.

Sometimes automatic updates are blocked or miss, so you can try to manually remove Google app updates so that the system tries to reinstall the current version. To do this, select “Delete Updates” from the app menu (via Settings), then go back to the Play Market and update the app.

💡

Regular updates to Google services are critical for the correct operation of the search bar and voice assistant on Android.

Alternatives and third-party launchers

If standard methods fail to return a search bar, alternatives can be considered, such as using third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allow you to flexibly customize the home screen and guarantee that you can display the Google search bar anywhere.

Installing a third-party launcher requires permissions to display on top of other applications and use as the default home screen. Once installed, you can add a Google search widget through the new interface's widget menu. This often bypasses bugs from the standard MIUI shell.

Another option is to use the Google One Tap widget or other variations of search widgets that can be available in the Play Market. However, for most users, the optimal solution is to restore the functionality of the standard launcher, as it is better optimized for working with Xiaomi hardware.

⚠️ Note: Installing third-party launchers can increase battery consumption and change the usual logic of Xiaomi gestures. Use this method only if the standard methods are exhausted.

In conclusion, the problem with the missing search bar is solved 99% of the time by software, the main thing is to consistently check the widget settings, the status of Google services and the launcher settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)