Google wanted Apple to preload its search app on iOS

Google actually wanted Apple to preload the Google Search app on iOS. This detail was revealed during Sundar Pichai’s testimony. As many of you know, Google is in the middle of an antitrust battle with the Department of Justice (DOJ). All kinds of interesting tidbits are surfacing, even though the trial is semi-private.

Google suggested Apple to preload Google Search app on iOS to boost revenue

In any case, back in 2018, Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, suggested the idea to Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook. That proposal happened after Tim Cook said that he wanted the two companies to be “deep, deep partners, deeply connected where our services end and yours begin”.

In response to that, Sundar Pichai said: “What if Apple preinstalled a Google Search app on every iOS device?”, thus throwing an idea over to Cook. Apple did reject that proposal. The company doesn’t preload third-party software on its devices, which is well-known at this point.

What is interesting is that this deal would probably benefit both companies. It would almost certainly mean more searches for Google, and thus more revenue for both companies. Apple is sticking to its business model, and likely won’t change it, at least not anytime soon.

The two CEOs met about a year ago to discuss the state of the deal between the two companies

During the rest of Pichai’s testimony, he revealed that he and Cook met about a year ago, to discuss the state of the deal between the two companies. As many of you know by now, Google is paying Apple a ton of money to stay the default search option on Apple devices. Back in 2021, that sum was $18 billion.

The two CEOs did communicate a number of times, and Pichai mentioned an interaction from 2018. Back then, Apple was concerned about a decline in revenue growth from their rev-share deal. Google’s overall revenue was growing much faster. Google did throw a few ideas out there, why that may be, and that’s also when the Google Search suggestion came.

Sundar Pichai emphasized that “Google is not in control of the amount or type of traffic received by Safari; Apple is”. Pichai also added that “people trust” the company to do the right thing, they trust Google with what they’re searching for. He also mentioned that Tim Cook did not comment, other than saying that the two companies have different strengths.

When commenting on these emails with Tim Cook, Pichai said that he was trying to find ways for everyone to get what they wanted. That’s why he suggested Apple to pre-install Google Search, as it drives increased usage, and would do the same on iOS.