Google is quietly making Search a little more colorful

Google's "G" logo
(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google is testing a new 'Color your Search' feature that adds subtle pastel colors to the Search interface.
  • The feature lets users choose from ten muted color options that change the top bar and overall Search theme.
  • Right now, the colorful Search interface appears limited to large-screen devices like tablets and foldables.

Until now, Google Search has always looked the same. Whether you were using it in light mode or dark mode, the experience was mostly limited to white or dark grey. That seems to be changing with a new Search update.

Google is testing a new way to make Search feel a bit more colorful and slightly more personal. The change was spotted by 9to5Google, with Google experimenting with a new feature called 'Color your Search.' This adds color to the top bar above the search field, where the Google logo and your profile icon sit.

As for color choices, Google offers a total of ten options. All of them are fairly muted, pastel-style shades rather than anything bright or flashy. Once you pick a color, that theme is applied across your Search results.

It's not a redesign, but it makes Search feel a little less sterile

Google Search's new color options

(Image credit: 9to5Google)

At the moment, Google appears to be testing this feature only on large-screen mobile devices, such as tablets and foldables. According to the report, the option doesn't currently show up on regular smartphones or desktop devices.

If you want to try it yourself, head over to Google Search on a large-screen mobile device and tap the color palette icon in the top-left corner. From there, you can choose the color you like. That said, the rollout seems limited right now, as the feature did not show up on our Oppo Find N5 foldable, even though it was visible for the publication.

It is still unclear when or if Google plans to roll this out more widely. However, given that it is already being tested on large-screen devices, we could see broader availability soon. Google could even tie this into Android's Material 3 Expressive design and automatically apply system colors to Search in the future.

Sanuj Bhatia
Contributor

Sanuj is a tech writer who loves exploring smartphones, tablets, and wearables. He began his journey with a Nokia Lumia and later dived deep into Android and iPhone. He's been writing about tech since 2018, with bylines at Pocketnow, Android Police, Pocket-Lint, and MakeUseOf. When he's not testing gadgets, he's either sipping chai, watching football, or playing cricket.

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