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If you use a large iPhone, you're familiar with the problem: The search bar in many apps is so high up that you can barely reach it with one hand. This is particularly impractical on devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max. With iOS 19, Apple apparently wants to change exactly that. According to a recent leak, the search bar in apps will move to the bottom—to where you can easily reach it with your thumb. This would be one of the most sensible design changes in a long time.
iOS 19 is expected to be unveiled in less than two months at WWDC 2025. There are already initial indications that Apple is working on a redesign specifically designed to ease the burden on users of larger iPhones. The focus is on a detail that seems inconspicuous at first glance: the position of the search bar in apps. Currently, it's almost always located at the top of the screen—in iOS 19, it will be moved to the bottom.
The search bar moves down
According to YouTuber Jon Prosser, the app search bar in iOS 19 will be permanently moved to the bottom of the screen. This doesn't just affect a single app, but appears to be implemented system-wide. In his video, Prosser shows several mockups, including those of the News app, the Music app, and the App Store. In all cases, the search bar is clearly visible at the bottom of the respective app. Until now, the search bar was often hidden. For example, you have to swipe down in the News app to make it visible. This isn't a big problem on small iPhones, but it can be quite cumbersome on devices with large displays. With iOS 19, the search function should always be visible and immediately accessible, without the need for a swipe gesture.
A design that matches the hardware
Apple last carried out a major iOS redesign several years ago. Back then, iPhone displays were significantly smaller. Now the standard model is large, and models like the Pro Max and the upcoming iPhone 17 Air are even larger. Apple's response to this development is long overdue. The new search bar design is a practical example of how software can be better adapted to the devices. What's particularly interesting is that, according to Prosser, the new positioning works regardless of whether an app has a tab bar at the bottom or not. His examples include apps with a navigation bar (Music, App Store) and without (News), each with the new search bar at the bottom.
Why this is more than a detail
When you want to use a large iPhone with one hand, the little things matter. Currently, many apps require you to contort yourself to reach the search bar at the top. Even if you have large hands, that's not particularly comfortable.
iOS 19 adapts to the reality of large iPhones
iOS 19 probably won't be a completely new operating system, but it does bring some well-thought-out changes. The relocation of the search bar to the bottom is one of those adjustments that shows Apple is finally responding better to the larger screen sizes. For you as a user of a large iPhone, this should be a noticeable improvement in everyday life. We'll know more at WWDC in June—but the direction is right. Time for some fresh accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront and discover a wide selection of products from leading manufacturers, including HomeKit! (Image: FrontPageTech)
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