The app is App Search: Find apps fast, by Axolotl9: a utility for searching installed apps and opening a result. In an Android Police article syndicated by Yahoo Tech on August 30, 2026, Jon Gilbert describes using it as his preferred way to find apps, launched with the press-and-hold power-button gesture. That is different from replacing or removing the fixed search bar in Pixel Launcher; the article does not show that the app substitutes for that home-screen component.
What does App Search do on a Pixel?
Its stated purpose is narrow: search installed apps, then open the one you want. Gilbert’s account describes opening the app, entering a query, and selecting an installed app. He summarizes the appeal as: “When I search for an app, I want to search for apps.”
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
That focused approach is for people who find broader search results distracting when they already know they want to launch an app. Gilbert says he used the utility for a week and came to rely on it for app searches. That is one person’s experience, not a measured speed comparison or a guarantee that it will be faster for everyone.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Does it really replace the Pixel search bar?
Not in the sense of replacing the Pixel Launcher’s built-in home-screen search bar. The article describes App Search as an alternative way to invoke app search, not as a replacement widget installed in the bar’s place. You can use it as your chosen app-finding route while the Pixel search bar remains a separate launcher feature.
#1 Best Overall
- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
Google’s Pixel Help guidance covers changing the search bar’s themes and shortcuts, and explains how to add, move, and remove home-screen widgets. It does not identify App Search as a replacement for the fixed launcher bar. Some of Google’s widget instructions apply only to Android 14 and later.
How does the power-button shortcut work?
Gilbert reports setting App Search as the assistant app and then choosing the press-and-hold power-button gesture to launch it. In that setup, the gesture opens the utility; it does not turn the Pixel search bar into App Search. Android’s available assistant and power-button options can vary with software version, settings, and device configuration, so the exact menu labels may differ.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
The article also mentions Quick Tap as another possible way to open the app, though Gilbert chose the power-button gesture. Neither shortcut is a requirement for using the utility: the described basic flow is to open App Search, type, and select an app.
Recommended Free Tools
Which search and interface options does the article describe?
According to the article, App Search offers controls for how results are found and displayed:
- Matching from the beginning of terms, with optional fuzzy matching.
- Automatically opening an exact match or, optionally, the only result.
- An option to search beyond installed apps, including contacts and web results.
- Appearance and layout customization, plus T9 search.
Those are features reported in Gilbert’s article; they have not been independently verified here against a current app listing or tested across Android versions. The article characterizes the app as free and without ads, and reports that it asks for no permissions or collects no data. Treat those as the article’s statements rather than a current, independently checked price or privacy assessment; app availability, permissions, and disclosures can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if you want to change the home screen itself?
If your goal is only to find and launch installed apps, a dedicated search utility and a shortcut may be enough. If you want a different launcher or to alter the search-bar area itself, that is a separate kind of change.
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
A broader launcher replacement
Lawnchair is described in its Google Play listing as a free, open-source home-screen replacement based on Launcher3, with local, on-device search. The listing also says it is in beta and was updated April 18, 2026. Unlike App Search, it changes the broader home-screen experience; beta software may change, so check its current listing before choosing it.
Search-bar modification projects
Community discussions describe separate projects that attempt to remove or replace the Pixel search bar, but those reports are not evidence that App Search can do so. A community post about Essentials describes a beta replacement approach and mentions a secure-settings permission. PixelLauncherMods documents limitations specific to its own widget-replacement method, including possible blank widgets or freezes and a workaround that leaves the space reserved. These are distinct approaches with their own setup and compatibility considerations, not features or known limitations of App Search.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Who is this app-search approach for?
- Consider it if you want a direct way to search installed apps and are comfortable opening a separate utility, optionally with a system gesture.
- Look at launcher settings or another launcher if your goal is to customize or replace the home-screen search experience, rather than simply use a different route to launch apps.
- Check current app details first if price, permissions, privacy disclosures, Android compatibility, or assistant-role availability are decisive for you.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
