A few Pixel and Galaxy smartphones boast an exclusive feature known as Circle to Search. With this feature, users can hold down the home button to bring up an overlay that allows them to circle objects on the screen for identification through Google Search. There has been speculation about whether Google intends to expand the availability of Circle to Search to more smartphones. Interestingly, a similar feature has recently emerged, but this time it’s on the iPhone.
Dubbed “Search Your Screenshot,” the feature was developed by a team working on the Google Search app for iOS. Minsang Choi, a design manager for Google Lens, describes it as adding a visual search function to the action button on an iPhone 15 Pro. When the button is pressed, a screenshot is taken, and Google Lens immediately scans the image. The results, including images, forum posts, and shopping links related to the detected object, appear in buttons. Choi likened it to Circle to Search but faster.
Although Choi initially shared information about the shortcut on X (formerly Twitter), he has since deleted his post. However, images he posted show a settings menu where Search Your Screenshot is being configured on an iPhone. In another image, the shortcut appears on the action button’s unique interface, with the following image displaying search results for a Teenage Engineering computer case.
For those interested in seeing it in action, 9To5Google produced a YouTube video demonstrating Search Your Screenshot. According to Choi, users can try out the tool by installing the Google Search app on their iPhone or downloading the shortcut from iCloud.
Additionally, 9To5Google discovered that Search Your Screenshot isn’t exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro; it also works on older models that support the Back Tap gesture, including devices as old as the iPhone 8. However, setting it up on older models requires more effort.
Apple provides instructions on how to connect shortcuts to Back Tap in the Settings menu, allowing users to choose the gesture (Double Tap or Triple Tap) and apply Search Your Screenshot. The publication advises selecting “Always Allow” the first time the tool is used to enable Google Lens uploads.
Despite the availability of Search Your Screenshot on iOS, the function is notably absent from Google Search for Android. While it may not be identical to Circle to Search, Search Your Screenshot remains a valuable tool. Therefore, we reached out to Google to inquire about potential expansion plans. We’ll update you if we receive a response.
