Google's Circle to Search-like feature comes to iPhone: Here's how to use

Google introduced the Circle to Search feature on Android phones earlier this year. It allows users to quickly select and search objects they see on their smartphone.

The feature at its launch was available for Android smartphones only, but thanks to an update to Google Lens app, it can now be used on iPhones as well.

Google Lens Design Manager Minsang Choi shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the shortcut.

“Google App iOS team just released a super cool shortcut that allows you to lens visual search using your action button on iPhone 15 Pro series. It’s basically a circle to search but faster! Please download google app and try this out,” the post says.


How to use Circle to Search feature on iPhone

Apple iPhone users can activate ‘Search my screenshot’ shortcut within Google Lens app. Apple iPhone 15 Pro users can access this shortcut with the Action Button. For those using other iPhone models, can use the shortcut by using Back Tap Gesture. Here’s how to configure:

• Open Settings on your iPhone
• Go to Accessibility and tap on Touch
• Scroll down to Back Tap
• Here, choose either double tap or triple tap
• Now, scroll down to the Shortcuts area and select a shortcut
• Tap back to apply the setting

Once the shortcut is activated, the iPhone will take a screenshot of the current screen and send it to Google Lens app to perform a visual search. Users will need to select ‘Always Allow’ to allow sharing.