Mad at iPhone’s New Search Button in iOS 16? Here’s How to Get Rid of It

You can now download iOS 16, and much like every new major software update to the iPhone, there are features and settings that you’ll absolutely love — and others that you might not be so fond of. If you’ve getting the new iPhone 14, this will apply to you too.

With iOS 16, the addition of the Search button at the bottom of the home screen, right above your dock, has caused an uproar. Many people are unhappy with the new home screen setting.

Although the Search feature on iOS is useful for quickly finding text messages, files, settings, websites and photos, the new button is placed in a location where it’s easy to accidentally tap it, especially when you’re scrolling through your various home screen pages.

And when you do inadvertently hit the new Search button, the Search feature blows up in full screen. Then you have to swipe out of it to go back to your home screen — which is annoying.

Read moreNow That You’ve Installed iOS 16, Do These 3 Things First

Fortunately, there’s an easy fix to get rid of the new Search button on your home screen.

And if you want to learn more about iOS 16, check out how to unsend and edit text messages, view all your saved Wi-Fi passwords and customize your lock screen with widgets.

How to get rid of the new Search button on iOS 16

On your iPhone running iOS 16, launch the Settings application, go to Home Screen and toggle off the Show on Home Screen button underneath “Search.” Instead of the Search button on your home screen, you’ll now see several dots indicating your various home screen pages instead. If you press on it, nothing happens.

Search button on Home Screen of iPhone

Easily remove the Search button in Settings.


Nelson Aguilar/CNET

If you want to access the Search feature after removing the home-screen button, you can access it the traditional way: swipe down from anywhere on your screen.

source: cnet.com