In iOS 9, Apple decided to allow users to be able to invoke Spotlight via two methods. The first method, the swipe down gesture on the Home screen, is the same invocation method employed in iOS 8. The second method, the swipe right on the first Home screen page, is a throwback gesture from older versions of iOS.
SpotlightBeGone is a new jailbreak tweak that allows you to disable one, or both of the Spotlight gestures. If you’re simply not a fan of Spotlight, or if you don’t like a particular method for accessing it, then SpotlightBeGone is the tweak for you.
Once you install SpotlightBeGone, venture over to the stock Settings app where you’ll find the tweak’s preference panel. Inside the preferences, you’ll notice two switches. The first switch lets you disable the swipe down gesture, and the second switch lets you disable the alternate way of invoking Spotlight—swiping right on the first Home screen page.
Interestingly, both switches appear to be enabled upon launching the tweak’s preferences, but you’ll have to perform an additional respring to put them to work. Any changes made to the switches necessitate a respring as well.
I tested SpotlightBeGone, and it works just as advertised. That said, I find Spotlight in iOS 9 extremely useful—certainly much more useful than in previous iterations of iOS. I’d never consider outright disabling Spotlight, but I could see someone wanting to disable one of the invocation methods.
What are your thoughts on Spotlight in iOS 9? Would you consider using SpotlightBeGone?