Google Search is off by default on some Samsung phones—here's how to turn it back on

Samsung devices ship with Samsung's own search engine, but you can switch to Google Search as your default. The steps depend on whether you want Google Search in your home screen widget, your notification panel, or as your system-wide default search engine. Most of the time, you are straightforward toggling a setting in Samsung's own apps rather than downloading anything new.

Google Search is already installed on your Samsung phone. You just need to tell Samsung to use it instead of its own search tool. The process takes less than a minute and you can switch back anytime.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung devices come with Samsung Search pre-installed, but Google Search is also on your phone and ready to use.
  • You can change your default search engine in Samsung Internet browser settings, which affects web searches you perform there.
  • To use Google Search on your home screen, you may need to remove the Samsung Search widget and add the Google Search widget instead.
  • If Google Search does not appear in your widget options, check that Google Play Services is enabled in your device settings.
  • Turning on Google Search does not affect your Google account or any other phone settings—only where searches go.

Enable Google Search in Samsung Internet browser

If you use Samsung Internet to browse the web, you can set Google as your default search engine. Open Samsung Internet, tap the three-line menu icon in the bottom right corner, then select Settings.

Scroll down and tap Search engine. You will see a list of options: Google, Bing, Yahoo, and others. Tap Google. From now on, when you search from the Samsung Internet address bar, your searches will go to Google instead of Samsung Search.

This change only affects searches you perform inside Samsung Internet. It does not change what happens when you use the search widget on your home screen or the search bar in your notification panel—those still use Samsung Search unless you change them separately.

Add the Google Search widget to your home screen

The easiest way to use Google Search on your Samsung phone is to add the Google Search widget directly to your home screen. Long-press an empty area of your home screen until a menu appears at the bottom. Tap Widgets.

Scroll through the widget list and find Google. Tap it, then select the Google Search widget (it usually shows as a white bar with the Google logo). Tap Add widget or the plus icon. The widget will appear on your home screen, and tapping it will open Google Search.

If you already have a Samsung Search widget on your home screen and want to remove it, long-press the widget and select Remove. This clears space for the Google Search widget and prevents confusion about which search tool you are using.

Change your default search engine in system settings

Some Samsung phones let you set a default search engine at the system level, which affects searches from multiple places. Go to Settings and search for "search engine" using the search bar at the top. If this option appears, tap it and select Google.

Not all Samsung models have this setting—it depends on your phone's Android version and Samsung software version. If you do not see a search engine option in Settings, the method above (changing it in Samsung Internet) is the standard way to switch to Google.

Troubleshoot if Google Search does not appear

If the Google Search widget is not showing up in your widgets list, the most common cause is that Google Play Services is disabled. Go to Settings, tap Apps, then tap the three-dot menu and select Show system apps. Search for Google Play Services and tap it. If you see a Disable button, your Google Play Services is on. If you see an Enable button, tap it to turn it on.

After enabling Google Play Services, wait a few minutes, then go back to your home screen widgets. The Google Search widget should now appear in the list. If it still does not show up, restart your phone by powering it off and back on, then check widgets again.

Another reason Google Search might not appear is if your phone is set to a region where Google services are restricted. This is rare in North America and Europe but more common in other parts of the world. If you believe this is the issue, check your phone's region setting in Settings > General > Language and region.

Switch back to Samsung Search anytime

Turning on Google Search is not permanent. If you want to go back to Samsung Search, straightforward remove the Google Search widget from your home screen and add the Samsung Search widget instead. In Samsung Internet, go back to Settings > Search engine and select Samsung.

Your phone will remember both settings, so you can switch between them as often as you like. There is no penalty for changing your default search engine, and it does not affect your contacts, messages, photos, or any other data on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning on Google Search change my Google account settings?

No. Switching to Google Search only changes where your searches go—it does not sign you in to a different account or change any account settings. If you are already signed into Google on your Samsung phone, Google Search will use that account. If you are not signed in, you can still use Google Search; it just will not save your search history.

Can I use both Samsung Search and Google Search at the same time?

Yes. You can have both widgets on your home screen and use whichever one you want. You can also use Google Search in Samsung Internet while keeping Samsung Search as your default elsewhere. There is no conflict between them.

What if Google Search is slow or not working?

First, check that you have an internet connection by opening a web browser. If the browser works but Google Search does not, try restarting your phone. If it still does not work, remove the Google Search widget and add it again. If Google Search is slow, it is usually a network issue rather than a phone issue—try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or waiting a few moments for your connection to stabilize.

Does turning on Google Search use more battery?

No. Google Search and Samsung Search use roughly the same amount of battery. The difference in battery life between them is too small to measure. Choose whichever search engine you prefer to use.