Why is Google asking users to pick a search engine while setting up a new Android phone?

We noticed this while setting up two new Android smartphones. According to the setup page, the search engine a user chooses during the setup process will be the default in the search box on the home screen and on the Chrome browser, which is also a Google product. Google clearly mentions that users will have an option to reconfigure the web browser at any time.

Google is asking user to pick a search engine/browser of their choice (Express Photo)

On the setup page, Google is currently offering several search engine options, including Google, Yahoo, Ecosia, Quendu, Brave, Karma, and more.

Right now, it’s unclear if this development is limited to India or available across the globe. And it’s also unsure if it only applies to select OEMs. We got this prompt on an iQOO 12 and an unannounced Redmi smartphone.

As the majority of users don’t change the default settings once they set up the phone, it is a good initiative by Google and also creates healthy competition. This also allows Android smartphone users to set up and explore non-Google search engines on their smartphones.

Back in 2018, the EU asked to drop Chrome as a default web browser and Google as a default search engine on Android phones, and a report from The Verge indicates that Google might charge up to $40 per phone if Google services are not the default option. This price is said to vary from device to device, depending on the pixel density of the screen, which will further increase the price of the phone.