how can i bring search bar back to top on all apps in ios26 update

The only place currently you can move the Search Bar is in Safari, the rest of your apps have it to the bottom. I actually find it helpful as you no longer have to scroll all the way back to the top of the page to search for something and can now do it anywhere on the page.

I too would like the search bar (almost) always back up the top in Apple’s Apps etc.

The reason: many (most) 3rd party Apps still have it at the top so my “muscle memory” is always expecting and looking for it up the top in ALL Apps. I waste much time now in Apple Apps trying to raise or find the search bar (even though it is on the screen down the bottom).

Having the bar back up the top would be consistent!

Agree with Zachyy that searching from anywhere is nice BUT the search bar could still be at the top - just always displayed or a simple guesture to raise the bar.

TimmyPig wrote:

so was searching on how to move the search bar back up to top, and if you hold the phone in the typical position and try to type with both hands holding the phone, you will find the bar is almost always directly JUST above your finger which is very awkward to read.

This is ODD and NOT comfortable to use.

When you type & read, Your line of sight will typically JUST be inline with the TOP of the phone which where the older search bar was.

I seriously starting to doubt Apple has actually properly tested how ergonomically feasible of their newer product design is now.

search bar for one of the major one, and the "extra multi-function button" is can now accidently goes from silence to ring due to how your hand is holding it...this is another gripe for another thread.

Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

You do understand you're only communicating with other Apple users here on this user to user only forum. If you're not pleased with the change (I actually think it's a great change), tell Apple by using this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

It doesn't matter here whether you like or don't like the change. No one here had anything to do with where Apple chose to move the search bar, so no one here can change anything built into iOS.

Starfish130 wrote:

I HATE this … you took away the home button so the home access is at the bottom and now this is at the bottom too!? At least give the option to change it.

No one participating in this forum took away anything from you. And no one here can give you back what you want.

Tell Apple what you'd like to see:

Product Feedback - Apple

I hate this too and I told Apple. Everyone else who wants to have the option to switch search bar to the top should do the same. Feedback - iPhone - Apple

It makes no sense that one can switch the search bar to the top for safari and chrome but not in iMessages and elsewhere in iOS 26.

It is one thing to remove things like the audio jack and the Home button —I was not happy about that but I get there isn’t much customization possible. but there is absolutely no reason that half of iPhone users should have to change behavior for such an easily customizable feature. Not to mention laptop/desktop search is almost always at the top.

maybe that the whole point. they want to remind us at every moment that we’re using an iPhone even if we’re irritated doing it.

I'm new to this forum (based on my points alone), but not to apple products. I am unsure who you are except you participate a lot and have lots of points and a high level (or highest). I'm guessing you have some connection to apple but if not could you explain your role? I am being objective as I build software for both mobile devices and desktops. I am not just complaining because I don't like it, which I don't, I am complaining because I am a user, regardless if I am 1 of 30,000,000,000 users, and for Steve jobs, this was important. I understand that software must evolve but where there are borderline cases and the functionality has been used for a long period of time, it should be implemented as an option, and by default could be automatically changed for all users but should have the capability of switching boarder line functionality back to how it used to work. When you have a user interface that simply works, don't change it just because the upgrade department has to prove their existence being pushed by the marketing department. The size of my business is irrelevant, I'm not disputing that Apple is not successful as they are clearly a global player. With new functionality you can play around with it without too much harm but if it core UI, you should make it optional, full-stop. In this case its not just about apple moving its location, its more than that. If you notice carefully there is a subtle but annoying difference apart from location. The old location was at the top, and the search bar was not ON-TOP of other text, now its at the bottom , its ON-TOP of text (in MAIL app), and my eye reads whats left, right, and behind it. It puts me off when I am typing. The previous search bar had no clutter behind it. This is my take it on, regardless if i run an inferior shop. If any apple people read this please make those type of borderline important GUI changes optional. I have already posted this to apple via the link you highlighted.

Pacmanrules wrote:

I'm new to this forum (based on my points alone), but not to apple products. I am unsure who you are except you participate a lot and have lots of points and a high level (or highest). I'm guessing you have some connection to apple but if not could you explain your role? I am being objective as I build software for both mobile devices and desktops. I am not just complaining because I don't like it, which I don't, I am complaining because I am a user, regardless if I am 1 of 30,000,000,000 users, and for Steve jobs, this was important. I understand that software must evolve but where there are borderline cases and the functionality has been used for a long period of time, it should be implemented as an option, and by default could be automatically changed for all users but should have the capability of switching boarder line functionality back to how it used to work. When you have a user interface that simply works, don't change it just because the upgrade department has to prove their existence being pushed by the marketing department. The size of my business is irrelevant, I'm not disputing that Apple is not successful as they are clearly a global player. With new functionality you can play around with it without too much harm but if it core UI, you should make it optional, full-stop. In this case its not just about apple moving its location, its more than that. If you notice carefully there is a subtle but annoying difference apart from location. The old location was at the top, and the search bar was not ON-TOP of other text, now its at the bottom , its ON-TOP of text (in MAIL app), and my eye reads whats left, right, and behind it. It puts me off when I am typing. The previous search bar had no clutter behind it. This is my take it on, regardless if i run an inferior shop. If any apple people read this please make those type of borderline important GUI changes optional. I have already posted this to apple via the link you highlighted.

No posters on this user to user only forum have any connection to Apple. We are ALL users, just like you. But some of us have been on this forum for years, as regular posters like IdrisSeabright, enjoy helping people. Like I enjoy helping people. While you are welcome to take the time to share your thoughts here, they aren't thoughts which will be read by anyone at Apple.

If you want Apple to hear you, this is how you can share them here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Pacmanrules wrote:

I am complaining because I am a user, regardless if I am 1 of 30,000,000,000 users, and for Steve jobs, this was important... If any apple people read this please make those type of borderline important GUI changes optional. I have already posted this to apple via the link you highlighted.

Nope, none of us are Apple employees and for Apple to read your input, then you did the right thing by sending them Feedback directly. That is where your voice will be heard and has also worked in the past with the changes found in iOS 26.1. We cannot comment on the changes found in iOS 26.2 because it is still in beta, but you may have to wait and see if you find that helpful.

The points or being new to this support site is irrelevant when it comes to your views you want to express to Apple through the feedback link. The only relevance of the points is that it means they have helped other posters resolve an issue and others had also found it helpful by upvoting the post. It really means nothing more than that. I user with more points does not have any more influence on the Feedback sent to Apple, and it also does not mean they have any special or direct contacts with Apple.

I do find it odd when people bring up Steve Jobs when making some kind of claim that this would never happen under his leadership. You may not remember his famous quote that seems to apply to what you are saying. It was also just a year ago that iOS 18 was released and you can go back on this Support Site and find the same posts where people hated it and can't believe there were changes, and now, that is the one they liked the most. In fact, that is pretty typical of every update.

“Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said, "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me, 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.”

--Steve Jobs

DocRn wrote:

As a disabled person will visibly issues, I need it back at the top. I have extreme difficulty and my 23 year old daughter won’t be her much longer to assist. I need it back at the top

Could you explain how it is harder for you to move a finger to the bottom of the screen than to the top?

or feedback to Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support

Good for you. But many of us like it better at the top all the time. Our eyes are used to looking there, so it takes longer and feels unintuitive to find it at the bottom, especially with the barely-there low contrast of Liquid Glass. It’s an arbitrary change that users should have control over

vdogg78 wrote:

Good for you. But many of us like it better at the top all the time. Our eyes are used to looking there, so it takes longer and feels unintuitive to find it at the bottom, especially with the barely-there low contrast of Liquid Glass. It’s an arbitrary change that users should have control over

OK. What do you hope by arguing what you like with only another user here? No one from Apple participates here, nor reads here for user feedback. So posting what you liked before but has been changed here is pointless. Feel free to share your thoughts with Apple here, where it will actually be read by someone at Apple --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Ps: You assert users should have control over iOS? We don't own iOS. Apple owns iOS. We merely have a license to use iOS and Apple can put anything they want, where they want it. If you are mega-rich, buy Apple and then you can choose what features users can have control over. It's no different with Android or Windows or any other Operating System.

vdogg78 wrote:

Good for you. But many of us like it better at the top all the time. Our eyes are used to looking there, so it takes longer and feels unintuitive to find it at the bottom, especially with the barely-there low contrast of Liquid Glass. It’s an arbitrary change that users should have control over

I like it on the bottom where it is closer to the keyboard when typing. That makes much more sense to me instead of looking at the top of the screen. Apparently we differ in our opinions, so certainly send feedback to Apple and let them know how you feel.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

vdogg78 wrote:

Good for you. But many of us like it better at the top all the time. Our eyes are used to looking there, so it takes longer and feels unintuitive to find it at the bottom, especially with the barely-there low contrast of Liquid Glass. It’s an arbitrary change that users should have control over

I like it on the bottom where it is closer to the keyboard when typing. That makes much more sense to me instead of looking at the top of the screen. Apparently we differ in our opinions, so certainly send feedback to Apple and let them know how you feel.

Me too! It's one of the better changes Apple has made as far as I'm concerned.

Not quite true. While it is for windows and android, it’s not for all OS’s. Linux allows you to customise and control every aspect, if you want. It lets YOU have control, because it wants YOU use YOUR device the way YOU want.