Apple’s iOS 26 has launched, showcasing a divisive Liquid Glass aesthetic. As typical with significant Apple releases, users express a range of views. The online realm is alive with varied reactions to the innovative elastic animations, semi-transparent app interfaces, and the updated dark mode, which some users find challenging to navigate. While critics highlight issues with text visibility and cluttered displays, others appreciate the fresh customization features for home screens and group messaging.

Users promptly observed a new UX adjustment that complicates the straightforward use of Apple devices: the repositioning of the search bar to the bottom of the interface, challenging years of ingrained habits.

iOS 26 provides a wealth of customization tools. Users have created swift solutions for certain anomalies by employing Apple’s accessibility options to modify app transparency and motion. However, the search bar’s location has not been altered. Users can change the Safari address bar’s position in settings or disable the home screen Spotlight Search if they disapprove of the new setup, yet the search bar continues to remain at the bottom in other contexts.

How to relocate the Safari search bar in iOS 26:

Total Time: 2 min

What You Need: iPhone

Step 1: Access settings

Step 2: Browse (or search) for Safari

Step 3: Navigate to “Tabs”

Step 4: Choose “Top”

You should find three choices for Safari’s search bar: Compact (a smaller, centered search bar), Bottom, and Top (the classic location).