How to Change Fake Search Box to Real in Chrome New Tab Page?

Google Chrome is the most popular browser on the web. However, it has strange features that will annoy users. One of the most annoying is the new tab page that will show many shortcuts and a Google Search box by default. In our article, we have explained how to remove the thumbnail shortcuts and in this article, we will explain how to change fake search box to real in Chrome new tab page.

Fake Search Box in Chrome New Tab Page

Whenever you open a new tab page in Google Chrome, it will show a search box in the middle of the browser. You will see this when launching the browser, if you do not have a custom home page and use new tab page as a home page.

The problem is that it is not a real search box. When you start typing search keyword, it will automatically move you to the address bar search. Therefore, it is a redundant fake search box that occupies the page. Instead of using this, you can actually type in the address bar to search using the default search engine. 

You can setup default search engines by going to “chrome://settings” and change under “Search Engine” section.

Change Fake Search Box to Real

You can use the experimental flags in Google Chrome to change fake search box to real one. Follow the below instructions if you want to change the fake search box and use for real search.

• Open “chrome://flags” command ULR in the address bar. Chrome will show you a warning message that flags are experimental purposes.
• Type “search” in the search box to filter relevant flags. Find the flag named “Real search box in New Tab Page”. Alternatively, you can use “chrome://flags/#ntp-realbox” this command URL to reach this flag directly.

• By default, the flag is disabled in Chrome. Click on the dropdown and choose “Enabled” option. Relaunch the browser for the changes to take effect.

• Now type your query in the search box to see it works like a real Google Search accepting text input. You can get the recommended predictions right below the search box without going to the address bar search.

This will work on Windows 10, macOS, Chrome OS and Linux. However, Google it will not work if Google removes this flag in later Chrome version.

Matching Search Box Color with Address Bar

Google Chrome allows you to change the browser’s color scheme. You can click on the “Customize” button shown on the bottom right corner and change the color under “Color and theme” section. If you have different background color for the browser, the search box will still use the default white background. You can match the search box color to use theme’s color using another Chrome flag.

Again, go to “chrome://flags” section and search for “search”. Enable the flag with the name “Make the New Tab Page real search box match the omnibox’s theme color”. Alternatively, you can access the flag using the command URL “chrome://flags/#ntp-realbox-match-omnibox-theme”. This will mingle the background color of the real search box to use browser’s address bar color.

Remember, you should first enable “chrome://flags/#ntp-realbox” flag, in order to use “chrome://flags/#ntp-realbox-match-omnibox-theme” flag.