Google app is not working on iPhone? How to fix

Do you have issues running the Google app on iPhone? For instance, have you encountered cases where Google won’t display search results, or you get an error message stating that the webpage is not available? well, you’re not alone.

This happens often due to a wide range of reasons. From bad internet connection, accumulated cache, to an updated/outdated software/app.

We’ll look at some of the reliable solutions to save you from unnecessary inconvenience.

How to fix Google app that’s not working on iPhone

To fix issues with a malfunctioning Google app, use the following troubleshooting tips:

1. Check the internet connection

Your problem with Google searches could be a result of poor internet connection or lack of it. So, start by ensuring your device isn’t in Airplane Mode.

Go to settings and toggle OFF the Airplane mode feature if it’s ON. This will turn ON Wi-Fi and mobile networks.

Next, check if the Wi-Fi connection works. Go to “Settings” then look for “Wi-Fi” and turn it ON. Choose the network and enter a password if asked to. If this doesn’t solve the issue, restart your router then move closer to it.

Lastly, check your mobile data connection. Go to “Settings”, click on “Mobile Data” and toggle it ON. If it was ON, turn it OFF then back ON again.

If the search bar is still not working or you have no coverage, try moving to an area with better coverage or contacting your mobile service provider.

2. Force quit the Google app

Force quitting your Google app when it becomes unresponsive could help solve underlying issues. Here is how to force quit Google for different iPhone models.

iPhones with Face ID (iPhones X, Xr, Xs, 11, 12, and 13)

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold at the center.
Swipe horizontally to see all the open and recently used applications.
Look for the Google app and drag it up to close it.

iPhones with a home button (iPhone SE, 8, 7, 6s, 6, 5s, 5, and iPod Touch)

Double click the Home button to see all the open and recently used apps.
Swipe right or left until you find the Google app.
Drag the Google app card up to force quit it.

Relaunch the Google app to see if it’s working.

3. Reset network settings

Incorrect network settings could be the reason Google search stopped working on iPhone. You can fix this by resetting the settings. Follow the steps below:

Go to “Settings”.
Select “General”.
Click on “Reset”.
Click on “Reset Network Settings”.
Enter your passcode and confirm that you want to “Reset Network Settings”.

This action will reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, VPN and APN settings, and cellular settings too.

So, you’ll have to enter the password for your Wi-Fi network to reconnect and check if the Google app is working.

4. Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is one of the simplest fixes to an unresponsive app and other system issues. You need to try it out when the Google search is not working on your iPhone.

Follow the guide below.

How to restart iPhone X, 11, 12, or 13

Press and hold the side button and either of the volume button simultaneously until the power off slider appears.
Drag the slider to the right to turn the device off.
Wait 30 seconds for the device to turn off completely.
To turn the iPhone On, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

How to restart iPhone SE (2nd Generation), 6, 7, or 8

Press and hold the side button until you see the power off slider.
Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
Give the device 30 seconds to switch off completely.
To turn the device back On, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

How to restart iPhone SE (1st Generation), 5, or earlier versions

Press and hold the top button until you see the power off slider.
Drag the slider to turn the iPhone off.
Wait for 30 seconds for the device to shut down completely.
To turn the device back On, press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.

When the iPhone turns back On, launch the Google app to see if the problem is fixed.

5. Clear data and cache

The next solution to your Google search problem is to clear app data, cache, cookies, and history. It helps to free up space and remove any error files in the cache.

Here is how to clear Google app data and cache:

Open “Settings”.
Tap on “General”.
Tap on “iPhone Storage”.
Scroll down to the “Google App”.
Tap on “Offload App”.
You’ll see a message telling you that the app will be deleted but documents and data will remain intact.
You should then go and reinstall the Google app from the App Store.

6. Update the Google app

If your Google Search bar is not working yet, then you need to download the latest app update. It could have the necessary solution to the bug.

Open the “App Store”.
Go to the search bar and search for “Google”.
Click on the “Google App”.
Tap on the Update button to start installing the latest version.

Better still, you can tap on your profile on the App Store, then tap on “Purchased”. This will open a list of all the downloaded apps on your iPhone.

Look for “Google” and tap on the Update button next to it.

7. Uninstall Google updates

In some instances, your Google app might stop working after an Update. This is mainly caused by bugs in the new version of the app.

So, to fix the issue, you must roll back the Google app update. How? By using a Time Machine or iTunes.

How to undo Google app update using iTunes

Uninstall the app from your iPhone.
Connect the iPhone to your PC.
Run iTunes.
Look for your device in the upper right corner and click on it.
Go to the Applications tab, choose Apps, then look for the Google app.
Click reinstall.
Once the installation is complete, sync your iPhone to get the older version of the app.

How to undo Google app update using Time Machine

Launch Time Machine on your Mac computer.
Go to the date when the Google app was performing well.
Go to “User”, then “Music”, followed by “iTunes”.
Tap on “Mobile Applications”.
Search for the “Google App” and delete it.
Drag and drop the old version of the Google app from the backup into the iTunes My Apps Section.
This will replace the new Google app version.
Lastly, sync your iPhone to get the old app version.

8. Update your iPhone software

You need to update your iOS software to fix bugs that could be hindering the performance of the Google app.

Follow these steps:

Connect your iPhone to a power source.
Go to “Settings” and tap on “General”.
Tap on “Software Update”.
If there are two update options available, select the one you want to install.
Tap “Install Now”.
Ideally, you can set up Automatic Updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Update. Toggle ON the Automatic Updates option.

9. Logout and log back into your Google account

Lastly, when Google search is not working on iPhone, try and log out of your Google account then sign in again.

Open the “Google App”.
Tap on your profile image at the top.
Select the account that’s signed in.
Tap on “Manage Accounts”.
Select “Remove”.
Tap “Back”, then “Done”.

To sign back in:

Launch the “Google App”.
Select “Add account”.
Tap on “Sign in”.

Hopefully one of these solutions helps to fix your Google app issues so that you can get back to using Google on your iPhone or iPad.

Alex

Alex is an IT technician who shares his experiences with Apple devices occasionally. He has a collection of Apple devices (from iPhone 4) and has recently started trying out Android.
IG: @I M_Alex