If the new report is accurate, the tool you use to search for information on your iPhone could be subject to change. And it could be a bumpy transition, given Apple's past track record when it broke with Google.

The report comes from the Financial Times, which says Apple is ramping up efforts to build its own search engine. The move comes as Apple's decision to use Google as the iPhone's default search engine and earn billions in revenue from the deal faces increased regulatory scrutiny.

You probably don't think about what drives search on the iPhone. You may vaguely know that Apple has been using Google's search engine as the default search tool on its phones for years. However, you probably were not aware of the fact that Apple began introducing its own search tool with the release of iOS 14.

Using the search bar on the Today screen in iOS 14 or swiping down on the home screen, search results now include suggestions from Apple. Google may still provide the bulk of the search functionality on the iPhone, but Apple's own efforts are becoming more obvious.

The Financial Times report cites this development and ties it to several other points to conclude that Apple is serious about developing its own search engine. One is that John Giannandrea (former head of search at Google) began working for Apple in 2018. Another is the lawsuit filed this month by the U.S. Department of Justice against Google, which claims that the search giant illegally monopolizes the company.

Among the items included in the government's complaint against Google is the reported $8 to $12 billion the company pays Apple annually to serve as the default search engine for its Safari browser app.

If the government files suit against Google, Apple will be forced to turn elsewhere for its cell phone search engine. Especially since Apple has its own Applebot web crawler to see what is on the web.

In theory, this should not affect end users at all, as long as the search results provided by Google, Apple, and others are fast and accurate. However, Apple has not always been successful in its own direction when it comes to software.

Longtime iPhone users will remember that Apple moved away from Google Maps and launched its own mapping software with the release of iOS 6 in 2012. The initial launch was riddled with errors, wrong directions, and missing map details. Apple publicly apologized, the then head of iOS left the company, and subsequent iOS releases have worked to repair Maps' reputation.

As of iOS 14, Maps is one of the better built-in apps on the iPhone, at least in my opinion. However, users who were burned by iOS 6 are likely still using Google Maps as their navigation tool.

It would be a mistake to assume that history will automatically repeat itself in search, especially since we don't know what Apple's plans are for its own mobile search tool. Still, it is a situation worth keeping an eye on, especially as the DOJ case against Google heats up.