A NEW Android-exclusive feature that has been dubbed a ‘world first’ is making Google searches faster – and more accurate – than ever.
But iPhone owners have, notably, been excluded – until now.
The feature is called Circle to Search, and it rolled out alongside Google’s new Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
The clue is in the name, but, users can circle anything on their screen with their finger to search for it on Google.
The gesture-driven tool means users no longer have to struggle through describing something they’ve seen and want to know more about.
Be it an item of clothing you like or a monument you’ve spotted.
Android and iPhone owners can already use the free Google Lens app to do most of this.
Although, it’s the newfound ease that has won users over.
But experts at CNET have worked out a way for iPhone owners to set-up the feature on their own handsets.
And all they need is the Google app.
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How to set it up
iPhone owners can make use of Apple’s Shortcuts so that when they screenshot what’s on their screen, it triggers a Google Lens’ visual search.
It works the same as Android’s Circle to Search feature – except iPhone owners have to screenshot their search query instead.
Here’s how to do it:
First, download the Google app on your iPhone – if you don’t have it already.
Next, head to the pre-installed Shortcuts app.
Once you’re inside the app, tap the + button in the top right to create a new Shortcut.
Then tap Add Action.
From here, search for and tap Search Image with Lens and then hit Done.
Now you’ll need to make a way to trigger the shortcut.
If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, you can choose the Action Button.
Simply go to Settings, tap Action Button > Choose a Shortcut and choose the Search Image with Lens shortcut.
If you have any other type of iPhone, you can use the Back Tap accessibility feature to trigger the shortcut.
In Settings, go to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap > Double/Triple Tap and select the Search Image with Lens shortcut.
Once that’s set up, you’ll be able to Google search the contents of a screenshot simply by tapping the back of your iPhone.
It’s a bit of a ‘make-do’ workaround, but it’s the best option iPhone owners currently have.