### iOS 26.4 Beta 2: Reversion of Search Design to iOS 18 Format
The release of iOS 26.4 beta 2 for developers brings significant modifications to the search design in select apps, reverting to a look that echoes iOS 18. This update comes after the first beta launch, which had introduced some unanticipated design features in the App Store.
#### Modifications in Search Design
The initial beta of iOS 26.4 introduced two crucial changes to the search capability:
1. **Incorporation of the Search Button**: The search button has transitioned from being an independent element to being embedded within the tab bar.
2. **Relocation of the Search Bar**: The search bar has been shifted to the upper part of the screen.
These alterations signify a return to the design strategy observed in iOS 18, wherein the search function was a primary navigation tab and the search bar was reliably placed at the top of the display. In contrast, iOS 26 had previously differentiated the search button from the tab bar and positioned the search bar at the lower section.
Initially, the App Store was the sole application to implement this previous design in beta 1, sparking speculation that it might have been a glitch or a tactical adjustment to emphasize the App Store’s advertising areas. However, with the arrival of beta 2, these same design changes have also been adopted in the Apple Games app, affirming that this is a conscious design decision rather than a mistake.
#### Ongoing Status and Prospective Consequences
Currently, the App Store and the Games app are the exclusive applications exhibiting these design alterations. The transition back to the iOS 18 aesthetic may suggest that Apple is contemplating broadening this design style to more apps ahead of the formal public launch of iOS 26.4.
The community is urged to express their opinions on the placement of the search bar—whether at the bottom or the top of the screen—illustrating the continuous progression of user interface design within Apple’s ecosystem.