How to Move the Search Bar to the Top on iOS 26?

If you've updated your iPhone to iOS 26 and noticed Safari's search bar sitting at the bottom, you're not alone. Many users prefer the classic layout with the address bar back at the top. In this easy step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to move the search bar to the top on iOS 26 so you can browse comfortably and keep your screen organized just the way you like.

Part 1. iOS 26 Update: Search Bar Design and Layout Changes

In iOS 26, Apple has introduced a few significant changes to how the search/address bar works — especially in Safari and across system-apps. Here are the key updates:

• In Safari, you now have three toolbar layout options: Compact, Bottom and Top. This means you can place the search/address bar back at the top if you prefer the classic layout.
• For many system apps (such as Messages, Mail, Notes, Apple Music), the search bar has been moved to the bottom by default. Apple describes this as “search is within easy reach at the bottom” of the screen.
• The redesign is part of a broader visual refresh (the "Liquid Glass" design language) and improves flexibility in the UI, including where search elements appear.

These changes mean that you now have more control over where the search field appears — but depending on the app, the placement might still be forced (for example, in non-Safari apps you may not be able to move the search bar back to the top).

Part 2. Which Apps Allow You to Move the Search Bar to the Top in iOS 26?

The new bottom-screen search bar is a system-wide design change, and most apps do not offer an option to move it back to the top.

For the vast majority of Apple's built-in apps (like Messages, Mail, Notes, and Settings), you cannot move the search bar from the bottom. The placement is fixed by the operating system.

However, a few apps, primarily web browsers, do provide this setting. Here is a table of apps that let you customize the search bar location.

Search Bar Customization on iOS 26

Part 3. How to Move the Search Bar to the Top on iOS 26?

You can move the search bar back to the top within most web browsers. Here are the step-by-step instructions for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

3.1 How to Move the Search Bar in Web Browsers

Apple Safari

This setting is managed in your main iPhone Settings, not inside the Safari app.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Then tap the Apps option.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Safari.

Step 3: Scroll to the "Tabs" section.

Step 4: Select the Top Tab option. This will immediately move the address and search bar back to the top of the screen in Safari.

Google Chrome

This setting is managed inside the Chrome app itself.

Step 1: Open the Chrome app.

Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu icon ( ... ) in the bottom-right corner.

Step 3: Tap on Settings.

Step 4: Select Address Bar.

Step 5: Choose Top from the options.

Mozilla Firefox

This setting is also managed inside the Firefox app.

Step 1: Open the Firefox app.

Step 2: Tap the menu icon ( ☰ ) in the bottom-right corner.

Step 3: Tap on Address bar.

Step 4: Select Top from the options. Then tap Settings to go back to the main menu, then tap Done to save the changes.

3.2 How to Move the Search Bar in Phone app?

You can adjust the search bar in the Phone app with the simple steps.

Step 1: Open the Phone app and navigate to Calls.

Step 2: Tap the Menu ( ☰ ) or More option in the upper-right corner.

Step 3: Select Classic Layout (or go to Phone → Classic Layout) instead of the Unified Layout.

Step 4: Once applied, the search bar will appear at the top of the screen in both Calls and Contacts.

Part 4. How to Fix the Search Bar Won't Move to the Top on iOS 26?

If you've tried the above methods and still can't move the search bar to the top in iOS 26, no need to worry, it often indicates a persistent software bug or a corrupted setting file from the iOS 26 update. A powerful system repair tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery is designed to fix these kinds of system-level errors by repairing the operating system. The "Standard Repair" mode reinstalls the iOS files without erasing your personal data, which can clear the glitch.

Apart from that, it also fix other 150+ iOS bugs like iOS 26 Apple Intelligence is down, iOS 26 stuck on install now, and various iOS 26 bugs. With a simple, step-by-step interface, it allows even beginners to repair iOS issues quickly.

Now let's follow this step-by-step guide to fix the search bar won't move to the the top issue on iOS 26.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone

Download, install and launch TunesKit iOS System Recovery on your PC. Connect your iPhone to the computer using your USB cable. Once your iPhone is detected, click on the "iOS System Repair" option on the main screen, and then click "Start".

Step 2 Choose Standard Repair

On the next screen, you will see two options: Standard Repair and Deep Repair. Select "Standard Repair". This mode fixes most common system issues without any data loss.

Step 3 Download the Firmware Package

The software will automatically detect your iPhone model and the latest compatible firmware (iOS 26). Verify that the information is correct and click "Download" to get the firmware package.

Step 4Start to Fix the Search Bar Issue

After the firmware has been downloaded and verified, you will see a screen confirming it's ready to repair. Click the "Repair" button to begin the process. Keep your iPhone connected while TunesKit repairs the operating system. This may take several minutes. Your iPhone will restart automatically when the process is complete.

Part 5. Conclusion

Now you should master how to move the search bar to the top on iOS 26. If you can't move the Safari search bar to the top on iOS 26, it may be due to a minor software glitch. You can easily fix this issue using TunesKit iOS System Recovery, a professional tool designed to repair iOS system problems without data loss. It helps restore normal system performance, resolves hidden bugs, so you can successfully move the search bar to the top.