10 mo. ago • 96%

Pixel Launcher to soon allow users to change the default search engine

nitter.woodland.cafe Наиль Садыков (@Nail_Sadykov)

Pixel Launcher will soon allow you to choose the default web 'Search engine'. The app build that comes with Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 contains a hidden search settings item called "Search Engine". This feature will allow you to choose an app for the web search.

Screenshot from the linked tweet of the setting in Android 14 QP2 Beta 3:

37 comments

And make it open in Firefox, right. Right?

18
- That's already possible. I have my default browser set as Firefox and for Google to open links in browser.
  
  12
  
  Wow. I did not know about that at all, thanks
  
  4
- Just for anyone looking how to do this, you should have your default web browser set to Firefox (settings -> apps -> default apps) then swipe up from the home screen, search for the "Google" app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and go to settings -> general -> uncheck "Open web pages in the app."
  
  8
  
  Omg amazing
  
  2
  
  I started with this, but I have trained myself to use the search bar at the bottom of the home page as the beginning so often. That automatically opens Chrome regardless, unless you switch launcher.
  
  2
  
  Thank you for this!
  
  2
This is the reason I'm using Lawnchair at the moment.

12
- apart from curiosity, the search bar is the main reason I switched to GrapheneOS on my 7a
  
  7
  
  It's the reason I use the Nova Launcher
  
  4
  
  How is it compared to the stock OS?
  
  3
- Isn't lawnchair dangerous to use since it hasn't been supported for 3 years? Just asking, simply an assumption on my side.
  
  6
  
  If there's some security vulnerability, perhaps. That said it's not ingesting data from the web. It's ingesting data from me and some of the installed apps. It's not a huge attack surface. I haven't heard of CVEs for Pixel Launcher for example. Doesn't mean there weren't any. With all that said, I'm using the actively developed version.
  
  7
About damn time.

11
Nice

8
FINALLY

8
Wow, that's perfect. I'm actually really used to Niagara Launcher right now but I might consider Pixel Launcher. It's just sooo smooth on a Pixel, no other launcher quite gets there, even Niagara.

8
- I've really come to like Nova. It's one of the few that is as smooth as the pixel launcher
  
  6
  
  It's not. Particularly the switch to a multitasking view and some animations cannot be as smooth for any third party launcher due to the fact that the required API is not available to them. I don't remember the details but I think it's only available to system apps? I know it can be achieved with root but I don't want that.
  
  6
  
  I've been using Nova for years and love it too, but it seems to be a bit unstable on my Pixel 7 Pro. Sometimes when pressing the home button, I just get a blank wallpaper until trying again. Other times the launcher freezes until I go into settings and force close it. It's not happening often enough to make me switch yet, but often enough to be annoying.
  
  4
Wow. I might actually use it if this happens...

6

You've viewed 37 comments.