OneUI 6: Where has Finder app gone?

[Iain321]

I've just updated my Galaxy S23 Ultra to OneUI 6 but the incredibly useful Samsung Finder app has disappeared. 

On older versions of the UI, it provided a deep search of the phone to find folders, contacts, apps etc and you could create a shortcut to it from the homescreen. 

It seems it's now been replaced by the search bar in the apps drawer, which is nowhere near as good. 

Anyone know if it's still there, hidden away?  Or a decent link to sideload it onto my phone?

[UNKNOWNUSERNAME]

Hi, as far as im aware you can now enable what apps that the finder in your app drawer/recents menu can search in, example: files or messages etc.

[Iain321]

Yes, I think you can. But it's a long-winded way of, say, pulling up a contact, or quickly finding a file. Also, I use Nova Launcher which has its own apps drawer.  That's why it was so useful to be able to create a shortcut icon to Finder and keep it on the homescreen.

[UNKNOWNUSERNAME]

Ah right, im in the one ui 6 beta and it seems to be removed from that aswell unfortunately.

[Joeeye]

I've never used it personally, but I don't see much difference it has over the search from the app drawer. If I search on my S23, I get the same search places as the app on my S21. If anything, it's identical... The app drawer search is also not new as it's still the same as OneUI 5.1. Obviously it's frustrating losing that option to add the finder app on the home screen though so I understand the frustration there.

[Iain321]

I agree. It's the same. But in the current version it's only accessible from the app drawer search bar.
The older version has the option to create a shortcut with an icon on the home screen.
I use Nova Launcher...and want to continue using it...so I don't have easy access to the built in app drawer cos Nova has its own.
Also, there is now no option to create a shortcut.
Not a Biggie, just a bit of a step backwards in UI usability.

[shubhamjaiswal1]

Just updated to One UI 6 Stable version on my Galaxy S23 Ultra and Yes they removed the finder app search shortcut and gesture.

Before One UI 6, You can access this by creating an app shortcut icon from settings or via gesture where in, after opening app drawer you have to swipe down anywhere and you can instantly start searching.

I loved this app and used every time for opening any app or searching contact. Also, from GoodLock app you can customize some settings for finder app. They have also gone now.

Samsung please bring back those two features, its kind of downgrading. The universal search of Finder App is pretty awesome. I don't see any reason to remove those shortcuts and decrease flexibility.

[Iain321]

Samsung's reply:  Link to reply 

[Grog78]

I was using it daily, it's the only way I know to have the keyboard popup without reaching the search bar. They basically killed the one hand way of searching apps.

Is there any other way to trigger the finder with the keyboard appearing automatically?

[Iain321]

No, I'm afraid there isn't. I really hope Samsung rethinks scrapping this really useful shortcut.
Some have said Samsung will add the function to the home screen app in their Good Lock suite of Galaxy apps. This will be no help to people - like me - who use a launcher app.