Google is rolling out a redesigned search bar on the home screen of its Android app, adding a “plus” button that puts file uploads and AI tools one tap closer. Android Authority spotted the change in version 17.65.17 of the Google app and found it live on several of its test devices.
The bar itself is slightly slimmer, with a white background, a subtle border and a soft shadow. The new plus icon sits on the left. From there, you can attach images or files, create images with Nano Banana, or switch models in AI Mode. The microphone and Google Lens icons stay on the right, according to Android Headlines.
Labels for Nano Banana and Search Live
The two shortcut buttons below the bar now carry text. The Nano Banana button reads “Create”, and the Search Live button reads “Talk”. Until now, both were icon-only, which left their purpose unclear to anyone who hadn’t tried them.
Attachments aren’t new. Previously, you tapped the search bar first, and then the upload option appeared. The redesign removes that step and makes the option visible to people who never knew it existed.
Availability
Android Authority says the update appears to be reaching users widely, but adds that Google’s rollouts are often unpredictable. Google hasn’t announced anything, and none of the coverage provides a region-by-region schedule, so it’s unclear when UAE users will see the change. If your app is up to date and still shows the old bar, you’ll likely have to wait for the update to reach your device.
The tweak fits a broader pattern. Google has been testing UI changes across its apps, including the Phone app and pinned chats in Messages, and our earlier coverage looked at Google Messages possibly getting GamePigeon-style games. The new search bar shows how Google is pushing its Gemini-era features to the front of its most-used apps.
Do I need to update the Google app to get the new search bar?
Yes. The redesign appears in version 17.65.17, so update the app from the Play Store. Rollouts are staggered, so it may not appear immediately.
Does the new plus button add new features?
No. You could already upload images and files after tapping the search bar. The plus button gives you quicker access and also lists Nano Banana image creation and AI Mode model switching.
