Use your phone’s built-in search to look for an app, setting, message, file, or photo: swipe down on an iPhone Home Screen to open Spotlight, swipe up on a Galaxy to open the Apps screen and use Finder, or swipe up on a Pixel to reveal its search bar. Type what you remember and tap a result. These tools do not necessarily search every app or item, so use the relevant app’s own search when something is missing. For text or an object already visible on screen, Circle to Search is a separate option on supported devices.
Search on an iPhone with Spotlight
- Go to the Home Screen and swipe down from the middle of the screen to open Spotlight. Some Face ID iPhones also show a Search button on the Home Screen.
- Type a name, phrase, or other detail you remember, then tap a result.
Depending on the app and content, Spotlight can show apps, contacts, supported content from apps such as Mail and Messages, webpages, system results and suggestions. It can also find text recognized in photos with Live Text and images in your photo library. Searching for an app may surface shortcuts to common actions.
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Spotlight does not automatically include all third-party app content: the app must support Spotlight search. If an email, message, or other item is missing, open the app and search there. In many apps, the search field or button is visible; if not, Apple says to swipe down within the app.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11To adjust which apps contribute results, open Settings > Search, select an app, and change its search settings. Related-content and recent-search controls depend on the iOS release. To turn off location-based suggestions, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Suggestions & Search. See Apple’s Spotlight guide for details.
#1 Best Overall
- Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
- Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
- AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
- Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
- Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****
Search on a Samsung Galaxy with Finder
- Swipe up on the Home screen to open the Apps screen.
- Tap Finder or the search control at the top, enter a search term, and tap the result.
Finder can search for apps, settings and compatible app content, such as email content and files. Its location and available controls vary by model, carrier and software version. Samsung’s Galaxy navigation guide describes the Apps-screen Finder route.
Finder differences on newer Galaxy software
On Galaxy S26 series devices running One UI 8.5 or later, Samsung documents an optional Home Finder that must be enabled in Home screen settings. It does not show suggested apps, so use Finder on the Apps screen when looking for an app. The app-search control is in Finder’s three-dot menu on earlier software; on One UI 9, Samsung places it under Finder > More options > Settings. If a menu or Finder entry is missing, check Settings > About phone > Software information for your One UI version, then try Apps-screen Finder or the app’s own search. Samsung’s Finder guide covers these version-specific options.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Search for a Galaxy file by name
For a filename or download, open My Files, choose Downloads, tap Search, and enter the filename. This direct search is useful when Finder does not surface the file. Menu names and layouts can vary; see Samsung’s My Files instructions.
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- Swipe up from the Home screen to reveal the search bar.
- Type a query and tap a result.
Pixel search can return apps, web results, contacts, settings, Google Play apps, screenshots, Assistant actions and Pixel tips. The specific app-content searches Google lists for Gmail, Clock and alarms, Messages, Drive and Photos are named for Pixel 11 series; do not assume that same coverage on every Pixel model. Google also says tapping the Home Screen search bar can start a web-only search.
Rank #3
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
To choose which apps appear in results, go to Home settings > Search settings > Control search results. If the item you want is not returned, search inside its app. See Google’s Pixel search guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Search text or objects currently on screen
Circle to Search lets you look up something visible without first switching apps. On a supported device, press and hold the Home button or the navigation handle at the bottom of the screen until the interface appears. Circle, highlight, scribble over, or tap the text or object you want to search.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Google lists Pixel 6 and later as eligible. Samsung describes Circle to Search on select Galaxy phones and tablets running Android 14 with One UI 6.1 or later. These eligibility descriptions do not guarantee availability on every region, carrier or configuration. If the gesture does not appear, check your model and software and look for the Circle to Search or “Hold home/handle to search” setting. Consult Google’s Circle to Search help and Samsung’s device guide.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Use Spotlight, Finder or Pixel search when you can describe an item; use Circle to Search when the clue is already on the screen.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
What to try when search misses something
- Use the app’s own search. System results depend on what the app and phone make searchable.
- For a Galaxy filename, search in My Files. Open Downloads and enter the name there.
- Check device and software eligibility. Finder controls and Circle to Search availability differ by Galaxy version and supported device.
- On Pixel, distinguish phone results from web-only search. Tap the Home Screen search bar for web-only search, or use the listed device-search controls for other results.
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.
