How to Add Android-Like Google Search and Google Lens Widgets to Your iPhone Home Screen and Lock Screen

Most Android phones display a Google search bar on the home screen, which is your quick window for searching the web. You can add a similar Google widget to your iPhone or iPad home screen and lock screen to perform immediate web and voice searches or use Google Lens.

Add a Google widget to your home screen

1) Download the Google app for free from the App Store.

2) Open the app and do the basic setup.

3) Now press and hold on an empty area on the home screen where you want to place the Google search bar.

4) Click the plus button in the top left corner.

5) Scroll down the Widgets screen and select Google.

6) Select one of the two widget sizes and click Add Widget. The smaller square widget only shows the search field, while the larger rectangle also has voice search, Google Lens, and incognito buttons.

7) Finally, click Finish.

You have successfully added the Google search bar to your iPhone home screen.

From now on, just tap the widget’s search bar and it will open the URL bar for you to enter a search term or full address. The keyboard also appears automatically, allowing you to quickly type what you want to search for.

If you’ve added a larger widget, you can also search by voice or use Google Lens, which allows you to take pictures from the Photos or Camera app and search for them online. Alternatively, you can also click the “Incognito”button to search the web that does not appear in your search history.

Note. Even if Safari or Chrome is your default browser for iPhone or iPad, all searches you do here will be done in the Google app.

If you decide to get rid of Google search on your iPhone home screen, follow the same steps as you would for removing any other iOS widget.

Add Google search, Google Lens and Translate to your lock screen

You can add and remove Google widgets on your iPhone or iPad lock screen just like any other lock screen widget. Here’s how:

1) Download the Google app and complete its initial setup.

2) Wake up your iPhone and unlock it with Face ID or Touch ID, but don’t swipe up or press the home button to get inside; stay on the lock screen.

3) Press and hold the lock screen and then tap Customize.

4) Select Lock screen.

5) Click Add Widgets.

6) Scroll down to Google and tap it.

7) Now select a widget for Google Search, Voice Search, Lens or Lens Shortcuts (which has Translation, Store and other features).

8) Depending on the area available in the widget section, you can add more than one widget. When you’re done, double-click X and then Done.

To use widgets, simply tap one of them on the lock screen of your iPhone or iPad.