[Android Central Question]

Hi all,

I use the Google search bar widget on my home screen. Before updating to Pie, I used to be able to use it to open multiple pages from different websites. Provided I didn't close any of them, I could access any of them by pressing the recently used apps button on the left of the home button.

To give an example, previously on Oreo, I would look up, say, "Bubble tea" on the Google search bar and from there, go to the Wikipedia on bubble tea. Then I'd be able to press the recently used apps button, go back to the Google search results listing and go to, say, bubbletea.com (I'm just inventing some random site).

I could open as many different websites as I want and as long as I do not close any website (i.e. I don't press the "x"), all the sites would be open for me to visit anytime I want.

In fact, if I choose to press the home button and start a new search with the Google search bar, the old websites would still be open and I could refer to them. I could use split screen on the pages.

Now I cannot do this on Pie. For split screen, it has to be with a different app. In fact, now there is no separate Google search list page. Once I go into a website, that's the only page I have. And the moment I start a new search from the search bar, the website I was on completely disappears.

The only way to look it up is to go via Recently Opened pages which is not only a hassle to find but doesn't preserve the data. What I mean by this is that on Oreo, I could be typing something halfway on a website and i could go and Google search something and then come back to the initial page with my half-typed sentence intact.

Even while typing this question, it slipped my mind and halfway through, I went to look up something using the search bar and found that this whole page had disappeared. Along with my question.

So, can anyone help? Is there a way to get multiple Google pages open with Pie? Please don't just say to use Chrome, because it would be a lot quicker with the search bar as it's on my homepage. I've tried changing the settings to make the search results open in chrome tabs but that means you'd have to manually close each tab whereas in the past, I could just press "close all apps" for all my Googled sites.

I hope there is some way to revert back to the old conveniences that I just haven't figured out.

Thanks for your time in reading this and I hope to hear back from someone soon.

[jade nicholson]

I thought I was going mad trying to work around this one.

I've been having the same issue. I use the google search bar and I can't have multiple searches open at the same time since the Pie update. Which is INCREDIBLY frustrating.

For example, reading up on some history stuff and come across some latin, i minimise the page and open a new search to translate the latin, and then i can double tap the left key to take me straight back to my reading. I can't do that any more.

Been house-hunting recently so having a few pages of searches open for comparison that I can flick between, mortgage comparisons, furniture etc etc I cant do that anymore and quite frankly it's p**sing me off.

I do not want to use the split screen because I have a large screened phone for a reason - to view nice big pages. Not have two tiny ones smooshed together.

I'm following this thread in the hope of an answer.

[joannenicole89]

Hi,

I was the one who actually posted the original question. I signed up just so I can write this reply now. Thanks @jade nicholson, I had been keep an eye on this thread but it had gotten zero responses until now.

I had actually gone to a Samsung (my phone's make) store to speak to a technician. They either a) had no idea what I was talking about, or b) thought I was so stupid I didn't know how to use Chrome. When I told them I didn't want to open multiple tabs on Chrome since it's so much more convenient to use the Google search bar app on my home page, they brushed away and shrugged that Android must have cancelled the feature during the upgrade.

I hope this isn't true and do hope someone else responses with a way to fix this issue. I've never liked those black and white sandwich cookies but man I miss Oreo.

[Kellysue8888]

I came here because I thought hallelujah, other people are also having the same issue and I'll get some help at last! So disappointed to find no one has been able to find the solution yet! I HATE Pie, I have other issues as well.

[altalenny]

I've also had the same situation. At the time of searching for the answer there was only one other person. How many people need to complain before they add this feature back?

[alekk88]

Hi all, I've been really annoyed by this problem as well. I found a sort of roundabout solution. Instead of using the Google search widget, you can use a search bar widget from the chrome browser that will open your search results in chrome. Just long press on the home screen, go to widgets, select chrome, and you will see a search bar that looks almost identical to the default Google search bar. When I use this search bar, I can Google something, open the results, then press the home button and Google something else and the new search results open in a new tab, and the old ones are in the previous tab. Hope this helps.

[Azerjaban]

Hello, this had been so frustrating but I FOUND A SOLUTION. This works as of Nov/19.

Download "Google Go" its a light browser widget.

Remove the Google search bar and replace it with the Google Go widget search icon. It's not as neat but searches Google just like normal.

BUT with Google Go you can click home and search for something else and it it opens it IN the App in a new 'tab', no browsers involved.

Happy searching

[aliking158]

Hi all, I have been having similar issues with the Google search app. I have recently found that if you open the app menu and click on "recents" option you can see all of the pages that have been opens recently. It's not very slick but works ok. Not sure if this solves all of the issues in this thread but thought I'd post it anyway

[Tom Lantz]

Open the google app.
hit three dots in the bottom right.
choose settings
choose 1st line
turn of the 8th setting.
Now search results no longer opens within the google app.

[belodion]

An interesting thread in which new members have helped one another with no input from volunteers or regular posters. Thanks and welcome to all.

[mustang7757]

An interesting thread in which new members have helped one another with no input from volunteers or regular posters. Thanks and welcome to all.

I agree

[Signed up to answer this question]

Hi!
So glad I found this thread, and I figured out a solution myself after looking about!
Here it is:
_option1_ (quickest)
•open the Google app
•click on more (three horizontal dots), left hand corner, bottom
•click on setting
•general
•scroll down to "manage pending searches"
→here you'll find a toggle for web pages in the app
When toggled off, the web pages will open in your default browser

_option2_ (basically the same as 1)
•Search anything from Google search bar
•click on a search result
•click the three dots in the top right hand corner (aka snowmen)
•click on recent
•Again, click the three dots in the top right hand corner (aka snowmen)
•click on settings
•scroll down to "manage pending searches"
→here you'll find a toggle for web pages in the app
When toggled off, the web pages will open in your default browser

Hope it helps!
(Plz note: won't solve the actual problem, it'll just automatically open the webpage in your default browser)