YouTube Music is experimenting with a navigation redesign for its Android app that relocates the Search function to the bottom bar. The update replaces the traditional magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner with a new two-step Search + Explore feature, making the app easier to use one-handed and aligning it with modern mobile navigation trends.
What’s Changing
In the redesign, the magnifying glass icon between the notification bell and profile avatar is removed. Instead, Search is now accessed from the bottom navigation bar, replacing the former compass-shaped Explore icon. Tapping the new button brings users to a familiar interface featuring New releases, Charts, Mood & genres, and Podcasts, along with carousels for New albums & singles, Popular episodes, Trending, and New music videos.
New Search Experience
At the top of the redesigned Search page is a new bar labeled “Search songs, artists, pod…,” with shortcuts for voice input and song lookup. Unlike before, the keyboard does not open automatically — users now tap twice to access it. This small adjustment is designed to support easier one-handed use and improves accessibility across different device sizes. The new placement also allows Search to be accessed directly from the Samples section.
Availability
Currently, the redesign is in limited testing and is only showing up for a small number of accounts. YouTube Music has not announced a wider rollout yet, but the change signals Google’s ongoing effort to refine app navigation and integrate Search more seamlessly into the overall user experience.
Conclusion
The move of Search to the bottom bar marks a significant shift in YouTube Music’s interface, prioritizing convenience and usability. While the feature is still in testing, its potential to streamline navigation suggests it could become a permanent change for all Android users in the near future.
