When you use Perplexity on a mobile device, the Focus selector may disappear from the search bar. This selector lets you restrict answers to sources like Academic, Writing, Math, or Video. Without it, you get general web results that may include irrelevant or low-quality content. The issue occurs because the Perplexity mobile app hides the Focus selector by default to save screen space. This article explains how to show the Focus selector on iPhone and Android devices.
Key Takeaways: Show the Perplexity Focus Selector on Mobile
- Tap the search bar: Tapping the search bar reveals the Focus selector as a row of icons below the text input.
- Swipe left on the Focus row: Swipe left to see hidden Focus options like Video, Social, and Reddit.
- Settings > Search Defaults > Focus: Sets a default Focus that appears every time you open a new search.
Why the Focus Selector Is Hidden on Mobile
Perplexity designed the mobile interface to maximize screen space for reading answers. The Focus selector is hidden behind the search bar to avoid cluttering the screen. When you tap the search bar, the app shows a row of Focus icons directly below the input field. This design is consistent across the Perplexity iOS and Android apps.
How the Focus Selector Works
The Focus selector limits the search scope to a specific category. Available options include:
- All — Searches the entire web
- Academic — Scholarly articles and papers
- Writing — Creative or professional writing assistance
- Math — Mathematical problem solving
- Video — Video content from platforms like YouTube
- Social — Social media posts
- Reddit — Reddit discussions
- Wolfram Alpha — Computational knowledge engine
When you select a Focus, the app adds a small tag next to the search bar. This tag indicates the active Focus. If you do not see the Focus row, the search bar is likely not tapped or the app may be in a state where the search input is not focused.
Steps to Show the Focus Selector on Mobile
Method 1: Tap the Search Bar
- Open the Perplexity app
Launch the app on your iPhone or Android device. You see the home screen with a search bar at the top. - Tap the search bar
Tap anywhere inside the search bar. The keyboard appears. Below the search bar, a row of Focus icons appears. The default icon is usually All. - Select a Focus
Tap any Focus icon to activate it. The selected icon becomes highlighted. The search bar now shows a tag with your chosen Focus.
Method 2: Swipe Left to See More Focus Options
- Tap the search bar
Follow step 2 from Method 1 to reveal the Focus row. - Swipe left on the Focus row
Place your finger on the Focus row and swipe left. Additional Focus options appear, such as Video, Social, Reddit, and Wolfram Alpha. - Tap a hidden Focus
Tap any of the newly revealed icons to apply that Focus.
Method 3: Set a Default Focus in Settings
If you prefer a specific Focus to be active every time you start a search, set it as the default.
- Open Perplexity settings
Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner. Then tap Settings. - Go to Search Defaults
In the Settings menu, tap Search Defaults. - Select a default Focus
Tap Focus. Choose from the list of available Focus options. The selected Focus becomes the default for all new searches. - Return to the home screen
Tap the back arrow. Now, when you tap the search bar, the default Focus is already active.
If the Focus Selector Still Does Not Appear
The Focus Row Disappears When I Start Typing
This is normal behavior. The Focus row hides once you begin typing to give more room for the keyboard and suggested completions. To change the Focus after typing, tap the search bar again. The Focus row reappears, and you can select a new Focus before submitting the query.
The Focus Selector Is Missing After an App Update
Occasionally, an app update may reset the interface layout. Close the Perplexity app completely and reopen it. If the issue persists, clear the app cache. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Perplexity > Storage > Clear Cache. On iOS, offload the app by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Perplexity > Offload App, then reinstall it.
Focus Tags Not Working After Selection
If you select a Focus but the search results do not reflect it, the app may have a temporary glitch. Force close the app and relaunch it. Then tap the search bar, select the Focus again, and enter your query. If the problem continues, submit a bug report through Settings > Help > Contact Us.
Perplexity Mobile App: Focus Selector Visibility Comparison
| Item | Default State | After Tapping Search Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Focus selector visibility | Hidden | Visible as a row of icons below the search input |
| Number of visible Focus options | 0 | 5 to 7 icons (depending on screen width) |
| Access to hidden Focus options | Not available | Swipe left on the Focus row |
| Default Focus | All | All unless changed in Settings > Search Defaults |
You can now show the Perplexity Focus selector on your mobile device by tapping the search bar. Use the swipe gesture to access all Focus options. Set a default Focus in Settings to save time on repeated searches. For advanced control, try combining Focus with Pro search for academic papers or mathematical calculations.