Thanks to Google’s innovative Circle to Search feature, Android users can effortlessly discover information by simply circling elements on their screens. If you’re an iPhone user eager to tap into this functionality, you’ll be pleased to know that you can now experience it on your iOS device as well!
1. Enhance Your Experience with Google or Chrome Apps
On Android devices, the Circle to Search feature is embedded within the operating system and needs to be activated through the device settings. However, if you’re using an iPhone, there’s no such requirement. You won’t have to navigate through extensive settings; you just need to install either the Google or Chrome app from the App Store. For this tutorial, we will focus on using the Chrome app.
Start by launching the Chrome app and navigate to a webpage filled with images or conduct an image search using specific keywords.
Look for the three dots situated in the lower right corner of your screen and tap on them.
From the pop-up menu that appears, select Search screen with Google Lens.
A toast notification will prompt you at the bottom of the screen, indicating that you can use your finger to select elements visible on the screen.
Information related to your selected element will pop up, with Gemini’s AI Overview appearing first. Just like on Android, you can pursue further queries about the topic. For instance, after using Circle to Search on a Durian fruit image, we explored recipes that incorporate it.
When utilizing a mobile browser to search for images, you can also click the Lens icon to identify specific objects within the pictures. With the Google or Chrome app installed, this Lens icon becomes available in image searches conducted in Safari as well.
2. Automate Your Searches with the Shortcuts App
If you prefer not to access the Google or Chrome apps every time you wish to carry out a screen search, there’s a great workaround. Remember, you still need to have the Chrome or Google app installed for this method to function.
Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. This app typically comes pre-installed, but if it isn’t, you can download it from the App Store.
Tap the + button located in the upper-right corner to create a new shortcut.
Next, tap on the Search Actions bar.
Find Take Screenshot in the list, and add it to your shortcut.
Tap on Search Actions again, and look for Search image with Lens to add that as well.
With both actions added, tap the small arrow icon at the top to Rename your shortcut.
After renaming, hit Done to save your new shortcut.
Now, head over to the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Accessibility.
Tap on Touch.
Scroll down to the Back Tap feature and select it.
Choose Double Tap.
Scroll to the Shortcut section and select the one you’ve just created.
Your setup is now complete! To use this functionality, navigate to an image or webpage and simply double-tap the back of your iPhone.
Your iPhone will capture a screenshot and automatically open it for search using Image with Lens. You can then frame the specific part of the image that you wish to investigate further.
While this method may not be as straightforward as circling elements directly, it does have its advantages, especially when analyzing images in apps other than Google or Chrome.
Should you wish to simply take a standard screenshot, you can continue to use the Power + Volume Up button combination.
It’s important to note that Circle to Search leverages the capabilities of Google Lens. In contrast, Apple offers an alternative called Visual Look Up that you may also find useful for reverse image searches on your iPhone or iPad.
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