How to return Google search bar to Xiaomi’s home screen: all working methods

Have you noticed that the Google search bar has gone missing from your Xiaomi smartphone’s home screen? This is a common problem after updating your MIUI, resetting your settings, or accidentally removing your widget. Unlike “pure” Android, where the search bar is fixed, Xiaomi’s shell allows you to flexibly customize your desktop — but sometimes it plays against the user.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to return the search bar: from basic actions in the launcher settings to advanced methods using ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of MIUI 12-14 and smartphone models – from budget Redmi Note to flagship Xiaomi 13.

Why is the search bar on Xiaomi missing?

The disappearance of the search bar is rarely an accident – usually it is the result of one of the system actions:

• 🔄 Update MIUI. After major updates (for example, with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the smartphone can reset the launcher settings to factory ones, removing all widgets, including search.
• 🧹 Clearing the launcher cache. Forced data clearing of the com.miui.home application (via Settings) → Applications) resets the location of icons and widgets.
• 📱 Change launcher: Installing a third-party launcher (Nova Launcher, Apex) automatically deactivates widgets of the standard Xiaomi interface.
• ⚙️ Manual removal: A user could accidentally hold a finger on the search bar and drag it to the basket (in the search box). MIUI It is done intuitively, as with ordinary icons).

On some models (such as the POCO F4 or Redmi K50), the search bar may be hidden due to regional settings. If the system is installed in China, the Google widget is blocked by default, which is a feature of firmware for the domestic market.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), standard search string recovery methods may not work. APK-Google Quick Search Box file.

Method 1: Recovery through launcher settings

The easiest method is to return the search bar through the built-in options of Xiaomi launcher, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, if the widget has not been removed completely.

Instructions:

1. Touch and hold the empty space on the home screen until the settings menu appears.
2. Select Widgets (or Widgets in English).
3. Scroll down to the Google section (or Google Search).
4. Find the Search String widget (usually the first item on the list) and drag it to the home screen.

If the Google widget is not listed, it has been deactivated.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google or Google Search on the list.
3. Click Enable if the application is disabled.
4. Return to the widget (steps 1-4 above).

Make sure that the Google app is updated to the latest version|

Check your internet connection (widget requires synchronization)|

Restart your smartphone if the line does not appear after adding |

Turn off VPN (some regions block Google widgets from downloading)

-->

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T) after adding the widget, you may need to restart the launcher.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or com.miui.home).
3. Press Forced Stop, then OK.
4. Return to the main screen – the search bar should appear.

Method 2: Resetting the launcher settings

If the search widget does not appear in the list of available, but the Google application is installed and active, resetting the launcher settings will help. This method will delete all your current desktop settings (location of icons, folders, widgets), but return the search bar by default.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or com.miui.home in the list of all apps).
3. Press the storage (or memory)
4. Choose Clear Data and confirm the action.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After the reboot, the main screen will return to the factory settings, and the Google search bar will appear at the top of the screen.

• 📌 Availability of updates for the Google application in the Play Store.
• 🌍 Regional settings: Go to Settings → Additionally. → Language and region and set the country where Google is supported (e.g. Russia, USA, Germany).
• 🔍 Google Play Services Activity: Open Settings → Google → Google Play Services and Turn on All Switches.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for China (e.g., firmware marked with a note) CN) Google search bar may not recover even after a reset, in which case you will need to install global firmware or manual installation APK.

Standard MIUI|

Nova Launcher|

Apex Launcher|

Another third-party |

I don't know what that is.-->

Method 3: Installation of an alternative launcher

If standard methods don’t work, you can use a third-party launcher that supports Google widgets, which is suitable for users who want the flexibility to set up a desktop.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

Instructions for installation and configuration (for example, Nova Launcher):

1. Download and install Nova Launcher from the Play Store.
2. Click the Home button and select Nova as the default launcher.
3. Touch and hold the empty space on the home screen, then select Widgets.
4. Find the Google Search widget (size 4×1 or 5×1) and drag it to the screen.
5. If necessary, change the size of the widget by pulling around the corners.

The advantage of this method is the ability to customize the look of the search bar (transparency, color, size) through the Nova Launcher options, for example, you can make the panel semi-transparent or hide the Google logo.

💡

If you don't see a search bar after you install the launcher, try updating the Google App to the latest version, and sometimes the widgets don't become available until after the update.

Method 4: Recovery through ADB (for advanced users)

If the search string is lost after rooting, installing custom firmware or deep changes in the system, the ADB team can help. This method requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then do:

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This command activates the Google Quick Search Box app that is responsible for the search bar, and if the widget still doesn't appear, try resetting it:

adb shell pm clear com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

After you execute the commands, restart your smartphone. The search string should appear in the list of widgets.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system instability if you type the wrong commands. Don't follow instructions if you're not sure what you're doing. For devices with a bootloader unlocked, the risk is higher, the risk of data loss.

Method 5: Manual APK installation (for firmware without Google)

On devices with firmware for the Chinese market (MIUI CN) or custom builds without Google services search bar may be absent due to the lack of necessary APK-In this case, you will need to manually install the files.

Instructions:

1. Download the latest version of Google Quick Search Box from a trusted source (such as APKMirror (arm64 For most of today’s Xiaomi).
2. Transfer the.apk file to your smartphone (for example, via USB or cloud storage).
3. Install APK by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
4. After installation, restart the device.
5. Add a search widget through the widget menu (as in Method 1).

If the widget does not appear after installation, follow the additional steps:

• Install Google Play Services (if they are not available).
• Update all Google apps through the Play Store.
• Check for updates for MIUIs – sometimes they add support for missing components.

Xiaomi.EU firmware (unofficial global builds) may require the installation of NikGapps — it includes all the necessary Google services in one archive.

💡

On devices with MIUI CN firmware, Google’s search bar won’t work without completely replacing the firmware with a global version or installing a custom ROM with GMS support.

How to prevent the search bar from disappearing in the future?

To ensure that the search bar does not disappear after updates or random actions, follow these recommendations:

• 🔒 Fixing the widget. MIUI You can block widgets from accidentally deleting: Tap and hold the search bar. In the menu that appears, select Secure (or Lock). Now the widget will not be deleted by accidental touch.

Disabling the cleaning of the launcher cache

com.miui.home

Backup of settings

Nova Launcher

Update via Mi Pilot

MIUI

Mi Pilot

It's also useful to keep track of the change log before updating MIUI. For example, MIUI 14 had a bug that caused widgets to be reset after the update. If the firmware notes mention a launcher issue, delay the upgrade or backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the search bar on Xiaomi