[jdubb]

Another option you have is to put the firefox search widget above you google search widget in your home screen. It's a bit ridiculous that the Google search bar can't be removed, but this is second best.

[pmontra]

I did remove the Google search bar from all my phones. An old and defunct Samsung Galaxy S2, a Sony Xperia X Compact (Android 8) and a Samsung A40 (Android 11).

Which phone / OS do you use?

Btw, to search for something I open Firefox and type in the URL bar.

[kiwijamo]

That's strange I don't have any Google widgets on my home screen. Perhaps it's the Xiaomi variant of the Android UI that allows this?