title_body: Why does Google Play Books not allow search for uploaded books?
upvoted_answer: Dear Sir / Madam &amp; Citizens of the Internet,
  
  I find that, with the current version of Play Books on android (version 5.7.5, as of 09/02/2020), if one launches the app connected to Wi-Fi or the internet via. mobile-data, then the search option is "disappeared", i.e. it simply doesn't show up.
  But, if one disconects from the internet (i.e. turns off Wi-Fi &amp; Mobile data) then the search option suddenly appears. I also found, once the search option appears, then wi-fi and mobile-data can be turned back on again.
  
  I hope this is useful to someone. I was annoyed and perplexed by this, but didn't know for quite some time that the "fix" was so simple. I hope Google doesn't see this and patch it out.
  
  Take care,
  
  G. Ward.