An Apple Byte : iPhone Users Get Google’s ‘Circle to Search’

Paul Stradling • May 15, 2024

An Apple Byte : iPhone Users Get Google’s ‘Circle to Search’

iPhone users can now use a version of Google’s “Circle to Search” thanks to Google Lens and iOS Shortcuts. 

The “Circle to Search” gesture, launched in January (which Google Pixel phone users may already be familiar with) is where users can circle, highlight, scribble or tap any part of an image or text on the screen that they want to use Google search find out more about. 

Now, a new Google app shortcut means that iPhone users can use the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro to quickly visually search anything on the screen via Google Lens. Although Google’s iOS app already offers a way to use Lens for visual search, this new shortcut makes it easier to start a search with just a simple gesture. 

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