How to Get the Pixel’s 2 New Google Search Widget in the Dock Using Nova Launcher

There is nothing wrong to say that the Google Pixel 2 would be one of the best smartphones of the year 2017. A lot of people are desperately waiting to use it and probably their can over anytime as Google is all set to make it available in the market. Of course, it can come anytime in the market. One of the best things is, Google always has something new on their devices for their fans. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be having a Google search bar right at the bottom of their screens. Probably, this is one of the best features that these devices will be having.

There is no need for users to reach the top of the screen for searching anything they want. Accessing information will become extremely easy for the users and probably it is one of the best features that smartphones can have. In this post, I will show you how to get the pixel’s 2 new  Google search widget in the dock using nova launcher.

How to Get the Pixel’s 2 New Google Search Widget in the Dock Using Nova Launcher

It is true that the Pixel Launcher is yet to be announced. However, with the help of Nova Launcher, it is possible for you to recreate the functionality and its look. It must be kept in mind that because it’s not an exact replica, you need to reorganize a few things. Here are some steps that you need to perform to keep up the pace in this matter.

Step 1. Enable the Swipe to open App Drawer.

Pixel’s home screen doesn’t have room for  “All Apps” button and it is because of no other reason than this, you need to prefer other methods when it comes to opening your app drawer. Swiping up from the dock is the method that the device uses itself. Probably it’s best in every aspect and brings a whole new experience. Nova is capable to let you do something extremely similar. Just long press any empty space on the screen of your device. Open Nova Settings after this, and choose “Apps & Widgets Drawer”. Next is to scroll down and enable the option you see “Swipe to Open”. Don’t forget to turn off the swipe indicator as it can affect the final outcome of this task.

Step 2. Remove Icons from Dock and delete the names

There are certain icons present in the docs and you need to remove them all. The easiest method to do this is simply long pressing them one after one and dragging them out. Once you remove all of them, simply long press icon once again and select “Icon Options”. Next is to tap on “Edit” button and delete names in the label field. This is easier.

Step3. Remove the “All Apps” Button

When icons are removed from the dock, next is to remove this button. There is nothing to worry as it’s also easy to do so but slightly different from above step. Simply long press the icon and choose “remove” from the popup menu.

Step 4. Tweak the search widget and move the same to the dock.

In the Pixel 2, the Google search bar comes with a beautiful logo which can be emulated in the Nova launcher simply. For this, simply long press the search widget. You can find it at the top of the home screen. Choose “edit” and tap on the rounded option which you will see under the Bar Style and then “G” logo under the Logo style. Click the check mark once you are done. Next is to long press the widgets on home screen. Remember you have to drag it to the dock where icons were moved in step number second.

Step 5. Remove Page Indicator

I would like to remind you again that this would not going to be the exact replica of Pixel Launcher. So there is something you need to keep in mind. Technically, the icons which are present in the home screen are not in the dock. This clearly indicates that a page indicator will be there in the icons and search bar. You need to remove it. For doing the same, long press any empty space at home screen and simply click on the settings configuration. Select “Desktop” from there and simply scroll down and click “Page Indicator”. A popup message will appear and you need to choose “None” on the same.

Step 6. Adjust the icon padding

You will see a there is a difference in the pacing among the icons and search bar in the dock looks differently. To avoid this issue, open Nova settings again and select “Desktop”. Next is to select “height Padding” and choose the option “Medium” to set it over there.

Step 7. Enable Dock as Overlay

Open Nova Settings and open dock section. Scroll down and click “Advanced” button. After this enable dock as overlay. This will remove most of the gap that is there between the icons and search bar.

Step 8. Adjust Dock Padding

Open Nova Settings again and tap on dock menu. Select “Height Padding” as in above step and tap on “None”. Select “Width Padding” and set the same to medium.

Step 9. Try Your Pixel 2 style launcher

Once done, you can simply enjoy the Pixel style home screen on your device. You can see a search bar at the bottom of your screen and there will be total 5 icons close to it. It’s better to be clear about the fact that technically you have only the search bar in the dock which clearly indicates that when it comes to using the swipe-to-open app drawer gesture, the same would be initiated from the top of the search bar.

How to Get the Pixel’s 2 New Google Search Widget in the Dock Using Nova Launcher

You now have one of the amazing Pixel 2 features in your device. I am sure you will like the same up to a good extent. As the steps mentioned above are not very difficult to consider, you can get favorable results for sure. Good Luck!

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