Android’s ‘Search’ bar now lets you ‘Ask Google’ and AI Mode

Google is updating the Android Search bar in Pixel Launcher and the Google app to say “Ask Google,” replacing the old G logo with a plus menu.

The new menu lets users add images, switch into AI Mode, or create images with Nano Banana, making search more conversational and visual.

The change is also appearing in Google for iOS and follows similar AI Mode integration in Chrome.

Overall, Google is pushing AI Mode deeper into core mobile search entry points across its apps.