Sounds like the separate search bar might have been disabled or removed from the toolbar. You can bring it back by right-clicking on the toolbar → Customize Toolbar, then drag the Search Bar back into place if it’s available.

Also check Settings → Search and make sure everything is configured the way you expect. Sometimes updates reset these preferences.

I’ve seen similar small UI things disappear on platforms like phonexa too, and usually it’s just a quick customization fix rather than anything serious.

Hope this helps https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-search-bar-firefox-toolbar?redirectslug=my-search-bar-gone-how-add-it-back