Apple executive Eddy Cue's revelation on Safari search decline sparked investor worry. Google's paid clicks growth also has been slowing.

Apple Inc. made an unusual pitch in its bid to save a lucrative search partnership with Alphabet Inc.’s Google, saying that the deal might not be necessary in the long run and that even the iPhone may fall out of use.

Apple will be hurting if it loses its $20b per year cash cow, but it has solid options for a future without the search giant.