Google Search widget is once again getting a custom color theme on Android

Back in AugustThe Google Search Bar widget has been updated with dynamic colors and ‘custom’ colors are now back.

When Google redesigned the interface for the search bar widget, the theme options were limited to always Light or Dark, System and Device (dynamic color).

The latest beta version of the Google app (version 15.43) introduces a “Custom” theme with Hue and Saturation controls. Together with Transparency, these sliders use the latest material 3 design with a thick, pill-shaped line and a vertical bar for the handle that is physically separated.

You can see an example above, while at the top right you can ‘Reset’.

This is the “Google” widget that you have to manually place on your home screen, and not the Pixel Launcher one. To tune in, open the Google app and tap your profile avatar in the top right corner for Settings > Customize Search Widget.

Custom color for the Google Search widget isn’t in the stable channel yet, but should be available in a few weeks.

Looking ahead, Google could potentially allow this to users add a shortcut for Translate (text), Song Search, Weather, Translate (camera) or Finance in addition to Google Lens and the microphone for voice search.

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Google has tweaked the Song Search widget so that it’s a blue musical note on a white background instead of the opposite. This follows the addition of a QS tile.

More about the Google app: