How to remove the Google Now search bar from Nexus 5 My Nexus 5 has a useless and space-wasting Google Now search bar:



QUESTION: How can I remove the Google bar?

My rooted Nexus 5 runs stock Android 5.1.1, and I would rather get rid of Google Now if possible. I would rather not use a third-party launcher.

Notes:


Disabling Google Now bricks Nexus 5 phones, so I want a procedure which is certified to be safe on Nexus 5 explicitly.
This wild procedure for Nexus 5 is hard to trust (anonymous comment), and it requires two phones. The different procedure below does not sound more trustable.
Remove Google Search Bar on Nexus devices running on stock Lollipop is for Nexus 6 and Android 5.0. Hide search google search bar on nexus 5 is different because the asker wants to keep Google Now, I don't. How do I remove the search bar? is for Android 1.5
Added: After more searching, I found How to remove the Google Search bar from your Android homescreen indicating you have these options:


Disabling Google Now, which is not recommended on the Nexus 5 as it might soft-brick your device
Install custom launcher, which you don't really want to do
Using Xposed framework (root required), which doesn't seem to work as Exposed and ART is a bad combination
Install a custom ROM, and then disable it


In other words, it seems like you need to make up your mind on either living with the Google Now search bar, installing a custom ROM, or install a custom launcher.

Original answer with fails

The 14 Essential Tweaks to Perform on Your New Nexus 5 Smartphone  has the following to say on this topic:


  You'll probably notice the search bar on the homescreen has a reminder to say "Ok Google" to trigger a voice search. It's a neat feature, but the text is a little annoying. It will go away only when you've proven you understand what it's saying. Just do any voice search from the homescreen to clear the text and get your nice, clean bar.


Fail 1: Does only remove the text, not the search bar

The previous tip is for the nexus 5 and lollipop,  whilst the next tip is only for previous android version,  from 25 Hidden Nexus 5 Features:


  Open Google Now with the quick setting above, or swipe to the left and enter Google Now on the Nexus 5. Scroll to the bottom and tap the three dots on the bottom left (menu) > tap settings > and simply tap the On/Off switch at the top to disable Google Now.


Fail 2: Does only apply to previous version of Android

My final tip if none of the above works,  I did the following on my Sony Xperia Z3 running  Android lollipop:


long press on home screen on an empty space
toggle the hide/show button of the Google search bar


Fail 3: Correct procedure for some phones, but not for Nexus 5

Hope either one of these helps you out!