The AI search mode has become available to all American users participating in the Google app testing program on Android and iOS. According to 9to5Google, the configuration of the icons in the search bar area has undergone radical changes.
The launch icon for AI mode has moved to the right edge of the search bar, replacing the microphone icon for voice search and the Google Lens shortcut that were previously located there. The new button is designed as a magnifying glass with a four-pointed star — the Gemini logo. It’s surrounded by a rotating ring with gradient Google colors along its perimeter. The design resembles the updated company logo shaped like the letter “G”, though it is not identical. The animation is continuous, and the launch button remains on-screen even when scrolling through the “Recommendations” section.
Visual Redesign and Expanded Rollout
Along with these adjustments, the multi-colored carousel of buttons located beneath the search bar has also received a major redesign. It is now only visible to users who are not part of the testing program. The “Photo Search” option is still included, but “Translate,” “Homework,” and audio search have been removed. They have been replaced by voice input and “Google Lens,” though these now appear without the previously used colorful styling.
Google began testing this updated interface in April, and by early May, it appeared in the iOS version of the app, adds NIX Solutions. Now, a wider audience is gaining access to it. We’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available and the rollout continues.
The overall design refresh complements the AI mode — a filter that had previously appeared on the search results page. Prior to this, the AI mode had already made its debut in the Google search widget. These changes suggest a broader push by Google to integrate generative AI into everyday app usage, gradually replacing older tools and layouts in favor of more dynamic, AI-driven interaction models.
As always, this remains part of an ongoing test, and further updates to functionality and design may be introduced in the coming weeks.