That frustrating moment when you long-press your home button expecting Circle to Search to pop up, but instead get hit with “Screen search isn’t available” – yeah, I’ve been there too. On my Pixel 8, this happened right after a system update, and it took me way longer than it should have to figure out the fix.

Here’s the thing: Screen search (which powers Circle to Search) is one of those Pixel features that just works seamlessly… until it doesn’t. When it breaks, it’s usually because of a permission hiccup or the Google app needs some attention. Let me walk you through exactly how I got mine working again.

Why Screen Search Stops Working (The Real Culprits)

Before diving into fixes, here’s what actually causes this issue based on my experience and what I’ve seen in Pixel forums:

The Google app lost permissions – This is the #1 reason. After updates, Android sometimes resets app permissions, and the Google app needs specific access to make Screen search work.

Outdated Google app version – Google rolls out Circle to Search improvements constantly. An old version might not play nice with your current Android build.

Digital Wellbeing interference – Yep, this wellness feature can actually block Screen search if certain restrictions are enabled.

Assistant settings got scrambled – Sometimes Google Assistant settings reset, which directly affects Circle to Search functionality.

Fix #1: Check and Reset Google App Permissions

This solved it for me 80% of the time. Here’s the exact path:

1. Open Settings → Apps → See all apps
2. Find and tap “Google” (not Google Play Store – just “Google”)
3. Tap “Permissions”
4. Look for these specific permissions and make sure they’re ON:
   • Display over other apps (This is crucial!)
   • Device admin apps
   • Usage access
   • Accessibility

Pro tip from my Pixel 7 experience: If you don’t see “Display over other apps” in the permissions list, go back to Settings → Apps → Special app access → Display over other apps → Find Google and toggle it ON.

Fix #2: Update the Google App (The Right Way)

Don’t just check the Play Store – there’s a better method:

1. Open the Google app
2. Tap your profile picture (top right)
3. Go to Settings → About
4. Look for “Update Google” – if it’s there, tap it
5. If not available, go to Play Store → Search “Google” → Update

Important note: On my Pixel 8 Pro, I discovered that sometimes the Google app shows as “updated” in Play Store but actually needs a manual refresh. The in-app update option catches these missed updates.

Fix #3: Reset Google Assistant and Reactivate Circle to Search

This one’s a bit nuclear, but it works when permissions aren’t the issue:

1. Open Google app → Profile picture → Settings
2. Tap “Google Assistant”
3. Go to “General” → Turn Assistant OFF
4. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back ON
5. Go through the voice setup again
6. Test Circle to Search by long-pressing home button

Fix #4: Check Digital Wellbeing Settings

This caught me off guard on my Pixel 6a. Digital Wellbeing can actually block Screen search:

1. Settings → Digital Wellbeing & parental controls
2. Tap “Show your data” → Screen time
3. Look for any app time limits that might include “Google” or “Search”
4. Temporarily disable any limits to test

The Nuclear Option: Clear Google App Data

If nothing else works, this will definitely fix it (but you’ll lose some personalization):

1. Settings → Apps → Google
2. Storage & cache → Clear storage
3. Confirm and restart your phone
4. Open Google app and go through setup again

Warning: You’ll need to re-train voice recognition and re-enable all your Google app preferences.

Device-Specific Notes I’ve Discovered

Pixel 6 series: Screen search sometimes conflicts with the old “Now Playing” feature. Try disabling Now Playing temporarily in Settings → Sound & vibration.

Pixel 7 and 7 Pro: These models occasionally need the “Pixel Launcher” app updated separately. Check Play Store for “Pixel Launcher” updates.

Pixel 8 and 9 series: If you’re using multiple user profiles, Screen search only works on the primary profile. Switch to your main account to test.

What Real Pixel Users Are Saying

“The ‘Display over other apps’ permission was the magic fix for me. No idea why Android reset that after the December update.” – PixelPower_Jake

“Clearing Google app data worked, but man, having to set up voice match again was annoying. Worth it though!” – TechSarah_Mumbai

“PSA: If you have parental controls set up through Family Link, that can also block Screen search. Had to adjust my kid’s phone settings.” – DadOfPixels

Quick Recap: The 5-Minute Fix Checklist

• Check Google app permissions (especially “Display over other apps”)
• Update Google app (try in-app update first)
• Restart Google Assistant
• Check Digital Wellbeing restrictions
• Clear Google app data as last resort

Still Not Working? Try This Bonus Fix

Sometimes the issue is actually with the Pixel Launcher itself. Long-press your home screen → Home settings → Make sure “Circle to Search” toggle is enabled. On my Pixel 9, this setting somehow got disabled during a launcher update.

Circle to Search is honestly one of my favorite Pixel features – being able to search anything on screen without switching apps feels like magic when it works properly. Once you get it fixed, don’t forget to explore other hidden gems like Magic Eraser, Car Crash Detection, or the new AI wallpaper generator that came with recent updates.