[How To] Restore on-device search to your Galaxy S III

No on-device search?!

As we previously reported, Apple succeeded in getting an injunction placed against the Galaxy Nexus in the US on the strength of a patent on a Unified Search Field – Or, as we know it, the Google search box that brings up a myriad of results, both online and on-device. This was ‘fixed’ by simply removing the on-device search function, reducing the Google search box to web-only results.

Samsung has since taken a proactive stance, bringing the same update to (Or, more accurately, removing the same functionality from) its US Galaxy S III variants as well as the Galaxy Nexus. Although Apple has not yet taken Samsung to task for this particular patent outside of the US, that hasn’t stopped Sammy from stripping the functionality away from the international Galaxy S III as well – As of yesterday, the XXLG6 update had started rolling to open market UK handsets, and sure enough, no more contact/bookmark/Twitter/et cetera on-device searching for those who’ve updated.

Thankfully, the fix is as simple as can be – Simply replace the GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk in /system/app with an older one. If that’s something you’re comfortable doing with no further instruction, here’s the apk – For those who fancy a step-by-step walkthrough, read on.

Pre-requisites:

-        A Galaxy S III running XXLG6 or newer. This has only been tested on the international version thereof, the i9300, so proceed with caution if you have any other variant (That said, the i9300T will be just fine).

-        Root access. Read our guide if you need a hand.

-        A root-capable file explorer. I suggest ES FileExplorer, a free and very capable app.

-        This GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk

1. Backup your existing GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk. Just in case! Navigate to /system/app, locate the file, copy it, and paste a copy somewhere safe like the external SD card (If, for whatever reason, you lose your backup, here’s one of ours)
2. Paste the new GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk you downloaded above in /system/app. You can overwrite the old file, or rename the old file (I'm fond of changing the extension to .apk.bak) first.
3.  Set permissions – This isn’t always necessary, but better safe than sorry. In ES File Explorer, this is accomplished by long-pressing on the file, choosing properties, clicking ‘Change’ next to the Permissions display, then unticking the bottom two ‘Write’ boxes.
4. Reboot. This may not be completely necessary, and wasn’t in my case, but again – better to be on the safe side to avoid force closing or data loss.

Easy, eh? Let us know how you get on in the comments below.

Ahh, much better.