Neo-Launcher VS KISS

You can remove the Google search bar from a Pixel phone or any Android phone by replacing the launcher.

I recommend Neo Launcher, which is free and open source: https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher

But I tested this with neo Launcher which is also based on rootless pixel launcher. It doesn't have this issue.

Neo launcher. It's on the izzyondroid repo. https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher/releases

You can always give Neo a try.

just checked, the neo launcher i use is not on the play store, although there is some other "neo launcher hyperion", thats not what i meant. If you want to try it out, you'll have to get the apk directly from their github (https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher) or get the F-Droid store & activate the IzzyOnDroid repo (https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/).

You can try something like https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher Its based on the stock aosp launcher and it has quite a lot of customization features all while looking natural and not iphone-ish.

I use Neo-Launcher on my Oppo Find X3 Lite 5G, with ColorOS 13 and I have a Neo Launcher start latency.

Neo Launcher

All ma hommies are using Kiss these days anyway.

Kiss https://github.com/Neamar/KISS

KISS launcher - A Simplistic launcher focused on minimalism. You get one window, one line of favorites, one widget and a searchbar. The ability to tag apps is great and the search focused useage I fine quite pleasing. I do wish you could have more widgets but combining it with KWGT and Popup widget 3 has been my go-to solution.

KISS Launcher (version 3.16.7): Blazingly fast launcher focused on search

Good to know it helps you somewhat, regarding the missing features you mentioned, may be you can raise an FR @ https://github.com/Neamar/KISS, its an open source launcher.

There seems to be an issue with Xiaomi phones.