How To Remove Search From The Home Screen In iOS 16

Right after the roll out of the iOS 16 update, a new Search icon is added to the Home Screen by default. It automatically replaces the dots that indicate the number of home screens you have and while it doesn’t interfere with how you use your device, some users are just not used to having it. 

What the Search icon does is that when you tap on it, it expands into a bigger search field where you can type whatever you want to search. You can search for apps that are installed in your device, or do a web search, which automatically opens the default browser and search engine you chose. 

Estimate Cost : 0

Time Needed : 3 minutes

In other words, the Search icon can be pretty helpful. However, if you want to remove it from the Home Screen because it’s already redundant or simply useless for you, then you can do so easily. 

Here’s how it’s done: 

  1. Go back to the Home Screen, find Settings and tap on it once found.

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    This will open the Settings app which allows you to change some settings and features in your device. 

  2. Scroll down to find Home Screen and once found, tap on it.

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    There will be just a few options on the next screen. 

  3. Tap the switch next to Show on Home Screen to disable it.

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    It is the last option and once it’s disabled, the search icon from the Home Screen will immediately be hidden. 

Tools
  • iOS 16
Materials
  • Apple iPhone 14 Pro

It will be replaced with three dots which indicates the number of Home screens you have. 

And that’s pretty much it!

We hope that this guide can help you.

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