If you’ve updated to iOS 26, you’ve probably noticed something new: in many native apps like Settings, Notes, and Messages, the search bar now lives at the bottom of the screen instead of the top. Apple says this makes it easier to reach on larger iPhones, but not everyone is a fan.
So, can you move it back to the top? Here’s the answer.
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Table of contents
Can you move the search bar in iOS 26?
Right now, you cannot move the search bar back to the top in Settings, Notes, or other built-in apps. Apple has fully redesigned the interface in iOS 26, and the bottom-aligned search bar is part of that system-wide change. There’s no toggle in Settings to revert it, and no accessibility option to reposition it.
What you can customize
While you can’t move search bars in Notes or Settings, there are a couple of related things worth knowing:
- Safari’s search/address bar: In Safari, you can choose between the top and bottom location. Go to Settings → Safari → Tabs → Single Tab to put it back at the top.
- Spotlight search on Home Screen: You can turn the Search button at the bottom of your Home Screen on or off in Settings → Home Screen → Show on Home Screen. This doesn’t move it, but it lets you remove the extra bar if it bothers you.
Why Apple moved search
Apple has been slowly shifting UI elements lower on the screen (think Safari in iOS 15, or the new Liquid Glass Lock Screen controls in iOS 26). The idea is to make common actions reachable with one hand, especially on larger iPhones like the Pro Max. For users who prefer the traditional layout, this can feel like a step backward in clarity.
The bottom line
For now, you can’t move the search bar back to the top in iOS 26’s built-in apps like Settings and Notes. The only exception is Safari, where Apple still gives you the choice. If you find the bottom bar distracting, the best workaround is simply getting used to the new placement or sending feedback to Apple via Apple’s feedback page.
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The search bar at the bottom of the screen is the worst thing ever. I do a lot of work on my phone and when I’m scrolling down to look at other items that I’m researching, it thinks I’m going into the search bar. It then stops what I’m doing because it thinks I want to search when I am just power scrolling. I have to completely start all over from the beginning to try to get back to where I was. In this case today, I’ve had to do it seven times!!!
I’m just giving up. It’s ridiculous. So PLEASE tell put out the word through the Apple people to let that search bar move.
Let the search bar be movable.
This is ridiculous.
Enough said!
Whoever gave this as the main idea for searching is small minded in my opinion.
I would rethink this and start over.
Put it at the top or most fairly….. let people choose for themselves.
Yeah its stupid not to just give us the choice!
Hate the search bar at the bottom!!!! Whose brilliant idea was it??? You should have polled users for their input. I’m guessing more hate it than love it! We should have a choice. If you love it keep it….if you hate it change it! That simple 🤬
Hate It. Listen up Apple. Give the choice. I see very, very few happy with the bottom search.
There is Zero reason to force users to the bottom that HATE it
Listen up Apple. Give the choice. I see very, very few happy with the bottom search.
There is Zero reason to force users to the bottom that HATE it
Hate that the search box is at the bottom. Whenever I swipe up to put mail app into background it almost always opens the search box and microphone .. probably 8-9 times out of 10
Move search bar back to the top. Did you survey if anyone wanted it at the bottom?
Agree – search bar should be at the top.
Or do Apple want us to all change to reading pages from the bottom up – THATS JUST PLAIN STUPID!
I HAVENT ALREADY SAID THIS – I MUST JUST BE ONE OF MANY!!!!
I agree i don’t like the search box on the bottom
I don’t like the search bar at the bottom c of my screen
Whoever made that dumb decision should be FIRED!!!!!!
Please move the search bar back to the top of the screen.
PLEASE MOVE SEARCH BAR BACK TO TOP PLEASE!!!
Please allow iOS users to move search back to top and when you thumb down at the top. Please let us know when that will happen, otherwise, people like me (who have been using apple iPhone for years) will move to Android.
Positioning the search bar at the bottom is not natural. We read top to bottom not bottom to the top of a page. Also, this positioning requires more eye movement which takes up split seconds of time. It is not something we just need to relearn, it is unpractical. Please give those of us who prefer the classic and sensible way of typing and reading the option to return to the original search bar on IMessage and Apple podcast.
Move search back to the top or show how to go back to before upgrade!
Thanks
Yes, please move the apps search bar back to the top of screen or allow user to make that selection like the safari app. I have a pro max and I prefer the search bar on top of screen which is at eye level when I’m using it. Looking down to bottom of screen is distracting and less productive for me.
Years of ‘muscle memory’ with search at the top, yet some spotty kid thinks they know better and we’ll ‘get over it’?
Make it a choice.
PLEASE move search bar back to the top – or even better at least give us the choice!!
Yes!
Sooo annoying!!
Please move the search bar back to the top of the screen.
Yes! Please move the notes search bar back to the top of the screen!!!!😡
I don’t think these developers realize that using your phone with one hand is going to lead to a ton of thumb/wrist arthritis in the future. I am already suffering from it and my surgeon said yes they’re seeing big increases in this. Bad apple.
Well, you can’t e what you are typing in notes now to know what needs editing, so it’s time for me to go back to Android. Apple is going to … without Steve Jobs.
Android has its bad things too. This update has left me realising that tech companies like Apple etc rely on me using a device that spends all day bugging me to do things that have zero importance in the grand scheme of a person’s life. I find my iPad useful (even with the awful, buggy, slow excuse for an OS that I now have on it) but have recently realised I’d be a lot happier with a land-line than continue to carry a tracking device made to annoy me, around with me all the time. So, I’m dumping the cellphone completely… I have no idea what idiotic thought I had that made me want to carry around something that purposefully disturbs my peace, whilst reporting my every action to a bunch of companies that abuse my privacy and the ownership of MY device. Anyway, I’ve finally realised it was an idiotic thought, and intend to reverse the damage of that stupid decision by now choosing peace over corporate profit for the rest of my life.
Amen!