ⓘ Google
Google Weather shortcut logo
Google is phasing out Android’s longtime Weather app experience and redirecting users to a redesigned Google Search results page instead. While the new interface still shows forecasts, air quality, and AI-generated summaries, it lacks the fast, native feel of the original full-screen weather view. The change leaves most Android users without a proper first-party weather app, unless they own a Pixel.
Google is taking away the simple and straightforward way to check weather updates on Android phones and tablets. The Google Weather shortcut, which functioned like a lightweight, standalone app but was actually part of the Google Search app, is being phased out in favor of a new web-only experience.
Google started redirecting users to a new Google Search weather interface back in November as part of an A/B test. But 9to5Google reports that the Mountain View giant appears to have flipped the switch on a wider rollout, effectively marking an end to the simple, no-frills weather experience Android users have relied on for years for checking the weather.
Google Weather app interfaceGoogle Search weather interface (old/current)New Google Search inteface that’s rolling out
Tapping the Weather shortcut from the homescreen now takes users to a Google Search weather results page, which displays forecast data with a familiar Froggy background card, complete with an AI weather summary, standard 10-day forecast carousel, and drop-down menus for air quality, humidity, wind, and precipitation.
While the web-based interface still provides the same weather info and updates, the experience is no longer a self-contained full-screen view. Instead, it behaves like a standard web results page, with additional links and search content appearing as you scroll. It feels like a noticeable regression and a step backward in terms of overall user experience, especially considering Google still doesn’t offer a native weather app for Android devices, though the company does offer an exclusive Weather app on Pixel phones.
The change hasn’t hit everyone just yet, with many devices on the latest Search beta still offering the standard app view—but the writing is on the wall. If Google is dead set on killing its best weather interface, now would be the perfect time to stop gatekeeping and make the slick Pixel Weather app available for all Android phones.
Kishan Vyas – Tech Editor – 9 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
Kishan Vyas is a News Editor at Notebookcheck. He has spent over eight years covering the consumer tech industry, previously writing for publications like XDA-Developers and How-To Geek.
He’s written more than 1,800 articles spanning breaking news, in-depth explainers, hands-on hardware reviews, and buying guides, with a particular focus on smartphones, platforms, and the Android ecosystem.
At Notebookcheck, Kishan covers the latest AI developments, display technology, productivity, the AR/VR industry, audio gear, new wireless standards and protocols, among other topics.
Kishan began his career in 2016 as a news writer at XDA Developers, where he covered smartphone launches, Google’s software and hardware roadmap, and upcoming Android features. He later became part of XDA’s Evergreen team, expanding its long-form coverage by pitching, writing, editing, and updating hundreds of how-tos, comparisons, reviews, and editorials.