Samsung recently removed the Universal Search function from its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S3, with an OTA stability update without any notice. Now it appears that the company is bringing the feature back with another update, at least in select markets.

According to BBC, the fix for the removal of local search function is in works. Another OTA update for the Galaxy S3 is due to roll out in the next few days and perseveres to bring back the Universal Search functionality.

"The most recent software upgrade for the Galaxy S3 in the UK included the inadvertent removal of the universal search function," Samsung said in a statement to TechRadar. "Samsung will provide the correct software upgrade within the next few days."

The Universal Search function displays results from contacts and other content stored inside the device via the unified search interface. Samsung Galaxy S3's latest software update, marketed as a stability fix, is considered to be a downfall for the device.

The reports regarding the removal of the search function from Samsung Galaxy S3 started surfacing online earlier this year. As reported earlier, Samsung stripped off local search function from Galaxy S3 devices in U.S. The so-called "stability update" later headed to the international model as well.

Rumors point to Samsung versus Apple patent wars as the reason behind the disappearance of universal search function, since Apple has a patent that covers local searches.  In the recent past, Samsung removed the feature in question from its Galaxy Nexus following a patent dispute with Apple. It looks like that the Galaxy S3 ended up in a similar fate.

At this juncture, Samsung is yet to confirm the readdition of local search function in the Galaxy S3. BBC notes that the update is confirmed for the UK version. However, it is unknown whether the search feature is returning to U.S. variant of Galaxy S3 or not.