Microsoft has removed the option to use a different search engine other than Bing in Internet Explorer on some new Lumia phones. Previously users could select Google as the default search engine thanks to an advanced setting in Internet Explorer in Windows Phone 8. However newer phones such as the Lumia 630 and 930 no longer have the option on Windows Phone 8.1.
Microsoft has never allowed users of Windows Phones to change the physical search button behavior, which uses its Bing search engine by default, but IE users could enable a setting to use the address bar to search within Google instead of manually navigating to the search engine or using the Bing default.
The removal of the feature was discovered by technology site The Verge and confirmed by other websites. The feature appears to be still available on some phones running the developer preview of Windows 8.1, older phones and some European phones.
Besides removing the setting, users that manually type Google.com receive a message that they can search faster by typing their query in the address bar. But when they use that option, Bing is used.
It's unknown whether the option will continue to be part of current Lumia's when they are updated to Windows Phone 8.1 and Lumia Cyan. Microsoft acquired Nokia in April this year.
Google is currently in an antitrust lawsuit that argues phone manufacturers are forced to set Google’s as the default search engine on Android devices. However, Google allows Android users to set other search engines like Bing or Yahoo as the default search engine in Chrome. Apple also offers a choice between Google, Yahoo, and Bing in its Safari for iOS browser.
