Android 17 finally brings custom shortcuts to the Pixel Launcher search bar

No one’s ever going to accuse Google of not giving Android phones enough places to conduct searches. You can search with Chrome, search in the Google app, search from your app tray, ask Gemini to do a search… and we could keep going. On your home screen itself, we’ve got two major players in the search game: You can use the Pixel Launcher’s search bar down at the bottom of your screen, or you can position a Google widget search bar anywhere you like. And now with today’s Android 17 Beta 1 release, those two are becoming more similar than ever.

Compared to the Pixel Launcher’s search bar, Google’s widget has existed as a more flexible alternative. Beyond being able to move it around, we’ve also had the option to reconfigure its shortcut.

By default, both bars offer the same set of buttons, connecting us with voice input, Google Lens, and AI Mode. But in the Google search bar widget, users have been able to swap that AI Mode shortcut out for another of their choosing. In Android 17 Beta 1, we’re now finally seeing that same option arrive for the launcher.

We’ve been craving this kind of flexibility since at least last summer, and while we’ve still got some time to go before Android 17 gets ready to hit stable, it’s great to already be looking forward to this option arriving for Pixel users everywhere.

If you’re curious to get an early look along with us, you can download Android 17 Beta 1 for your own Pixel phone and start trying out changes like this one today.

Just be warned: Beta releases are designated as such for a good reason, and unintended glitches can and will interfere with device functionality. In this case, while we’re able to access that shortcut-changing UI, actually changing them doesn’t seem to work all the time — at least not yet. But hey, this is only Beta 1, and Google’s got plenty of time to work out the kinks.