Google brings AI-powered Circle to Search feature for iPhone users

Google

Google introduced the Circle to Search feature on Android phones earlier this year, allowing users to quickly select and search objects they see on their smartphones.  This feature was exclusively available for Android smartphones. Now, according to a new report from 9to5Google, this feature can be used on iPhones as well via the Google Lens app.

Google’s Circle to Search feature: How to use it

Circle to Search allows users to take a screenshot and select specific items for a quick search or information. While Google has highlighted that this feature is different from Samsung’s Galaxy AI feature, it's universally available on Android devices with a simple long press. However, both features share the same search and OCR technology.

For iPhone users, you first need to install the Google Lens app, and then you can create an iOS shortcut to take a screenshot of the display to enable the Circle to search feature. For iPhone 15 Pro users, this shortcut can also be accessible through the Action button.

You need to then set a “Search image with Lens” shortcut via the Action button or the Back Tap gesture on your iPhone. Once activated, the Google Lens shortcut will search for relevant information from the obtained screenshot.

This allows users to swiftly copy text, translate, or conduct a visual search from the screenshot. At first, though you will need to select "Always Allow" to permit image sharing. Also, the latest iOS 17.4 OS version must be installed on your iPhone.

You can move the cursor box around what you want to search, in case the wrong object is initially selected with the screenshot on Google Lens.