A recent update to Google Widget search bar changes the voice search mic icon to a Google Lens four cornerned icon. When you click that icon, Google Lens appears instead of the expected voice search. Google Lens (which turns your camera on and performs searches for things it sees) is a fine product but we seldom want to use it and we want Voice Search back.
Unfortunately, once you have approved the change there is no common sense way to change it back. In fact, the only way return the Google Search widget to its voice search default is to uninstall Google, reinstall Google, and then stop it from updating.
On many (all?) Android devices Google blocks the uninstall of the Google App, so the best you can do is DISABLE it, which forces it to revert to the original version that was on your android device. In my case I had a Samsung S9 and this is the process we followed:
- Swipe down from the top and select the SETTINGS cog in the top right corner
- Scroll down and click on APPS
- Scroll down and click on GOOGLE
- Click DISABLE
- Click ENABLE
1 Comment
Paul · December 8, 2021 at 9:10 am
On my Google Play app, I had to tap the icon for my account. It’s in the same place and replaces the 3 dots. Then tap Manage Apps & Devices and select the Manage tab. Then tap Updates Available. Then tap the Google Icon. Then tap the 3 dots in the top right and uncheck Enable auto-update.