iOS 17: Remove the Search Button from Your iPhone Home Screen

Want a cleaner look for your iPhone’s home screen? Apple’s design is already neat, but you might want to get rid of that search button. This guide is just for you! We’ll walk you through how to remove that button and return to a classic iPhone look.

With the iOS 16 update, Apple introduced the search button on the home screen. While handy for some, not everyone was a fan. If you’re a fan of the old-school swipe-down search, you’re in luck. You can get rid of the search button and bring back those familiar page indicator dots. Here’s how:

What’s the Search bar for?

It’s called the Spotlight Search on iPhones. Use it to find apps, contacts, texts, and more. Plus, it pulls results from the internet, App Store, and Apple Music.

How to Remove the Search Button

Spotlight Search on iOS is a powerful tool, that lets you find just about anything on your phone. For newcomers to the iPhone, especially with the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple placed this function right on the home screen dock.

Want it gone? Here’s what you do:

• Go to Settings on your iPhone.
• Tap on Home Screen.
• Under the Search section, switch off the “Show on Home Screen” option.
• Voila! The search button will disappear from your home screen.

And if you change your mind? Just follow the steps above and flip the “Show on Home Screen” switch back on.

Conclusion

It’s super easy to declutter your iPhone’s home screen by removing the search button. And if you get nostalgic? Just a few taps and it’s back. You have full control to set up your iPhone home screen just how you like it. Swipe through or long-press for the editing menu to make other tweaks. It’s all about making your iPhone work best for you.