How to use Circle to Search and Google Lens

Both Google Lens and Circle to Search are visual search tools that help you get information from what you see on your screen, but they work a little differently. Google Lens helps you search the world around you. It uses your camera or existing images to identify objects, translate text and more. Circle to Search works while you're already using your phone. It’s a quick and intuitive way to find out more about anything on your screen without switching apps.

Google Lens is a visual search tool that uses vision-based computing to understand what you’re looking at. It can use your camera, a photo or almost any image.

Here are some ways you can use Google Lens:

• Copying and translating text.
• Identifying plants and animals.
• Exploring landmarks or buildings.
• Discovering products and similar items.
• Finding visually similar images.

How to open Google Lens.

Google Lens is deeply integrated into the search experience on Android-powered devices, helping you get answers where and when you need them.

Here’s how to find and open Google Lens on Android:

Through the Camera app:

• Some Android-powered phones have Google Lens integrated directly into the Camera app.
• Open your Camera app and look for a Lens icon or mode. If you see it, tap it to activate Google Lens through the camera.

Using Google Assistant on most Android-powered devices:

• Open Google Assistant and tap the Google Lens icon.

Within the Google App on some Android-powered devices:

• Open the Google app on your Android-powered device.
• Look for the Google Lens icon in the search bar.
• Tap the icon to launch Google Lens.

How to use Google Lens.

Follow these steps to use Google Lens:

1. Open Google Lens using one of the methods above.
2. Point your camera at an object, text, barcode or QR code, or select an existing image.
3. Tap the shutter button or wait for Lens to automatically analyse the image.
4. Explore the results by checking information, taking an action or finding similar products. Google Lens compares objects in your picture to other images, ranking them based on similarity and relevance.
5. To copy text in Google Lens, tap and select words or numbers.

Real-life ways to search with Google Lens on your device.

Google Lens helps you understand what you see without having to describe it in words.

Identifying objects, people or places.

If you don’t know what or who you’re looking at, Google Lens can help you find out more about people or your surroundings.

• Point Lens at a landmark to find out what it is and learn about its history.
• Identify a breed of dog you see at the park.
• Figure out which famous person is in a photo.

Shopping made easier.

If you spot something you like, either online or in a shop, Lens can help track it down.

• Find out where to buy a similar item to one you saw in-store.
• Read reviews for a product you’re considering buying.
• Quickly compare prices of a product across different retailers.

Product information at a glance.

Lens is useful when you need quick details about something specific.

• Scan a barcode to find product information.
• Identify the model number of an appliance and look up manuals or support.

Translating text.

Make sense of text in over 100 languages in real time.

• Translate a restaurant menu in a foreign language.
• Understand street signs while travelling to help you find your way.

Troubleshooting Google Lens on Android.

If Google Lens isn’t working properly on your device, try these solutions:

Lens isn’t working.

Check permissions:

1. Open Settings.
2. Find Apps and tap Google.
3. Then, go to Permissions. Make sure Google Lens has access to your camera and microphone.

Manage Google Lens settings in the Google app:

• Go to Google app settings and search for Google Lens to find options to turn Lens on or off.

Results aren’t accurate.

• Make sure you are using a clear image and the object has good lighting.

The app is crashing.

Update the Google app:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your profile icon and select Manage apps & device.
3. Select the app to update it to the latest version.

Google Lens updates on Android.

New Google Lens updates deliver even better ways to search. Previous Google Lens updates have added new features, including calculating tips and bill splits, popular item recommendations for menus and reading text out loud. By keeping your app updated to the latest version, you’ll have access to future updates such as improved object recognition and even better integration with other Android features.

Circle to Search helps you find out more about what’s on your screen without having to type or switch apps. It’s a quick way to access Google Lens – you just circle, highlight, scribble or tap on your screen. Circle to Search works on any Android app that allows screen captures.

Here are some ways using Circle to Search can simplify Google Lens searches:

• Find out more about text, images or video on your screen.
• Translate your entire screen instantly.
• Get fast generative AI answers about what you’re seeing.

How to open Circle to Search on Android.

Note: Circle to Search is available on selected Android-powered phone models. Find out if it’s supported on your smartphone here.

You can activate it by:

• Three-button navigation mode: long-pressing the Home button.
• Gesture navigation mode: long-pressing the navigation handle.

Turning off Circle to Search.

Follow these steps to turn this feature off:

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Search for Circle to Search.
3. Tap Circle to Search and turn it off.

How to use Circle to Search.

Circle to Search is simple to use. Here’s how to do it:

1. Activate Circle to Search using one of the methods above.
2. Circle, highlight, scribble or tap to select the text, image or video you want to search.
3. To translate your entire screen, tap the translate button next to the search bar. This is available on selected Android devices.
4. To search for music playing live or through your device’s speakers, tap the musical note.
5. Refine your search by adding text to the search bar if needed.
6. Explore the results that appear at the bottom of the screen.

Circle to Search in action.

Circle to Search is built for moments when you’re curious about something on your screen but don’t want to stop what you’re doing to look it up.

When you’re reading.

• Quickly search for the definition of a word in an article.
• Highlight text and paste it straight into another app.

When you’re looking at images.

• Identify a plant in a photo on social media, then get care tips or find out where to buy one.
• Circle an outfit in a screenshot to see similar clothing items online without having to describe them.

When you’re watching a video.

• Use a music search to get the name and artist of a song playing in a YouTube video.
• Learn more about a location shown in a movie scene.

Troubleshooting Circle to Search.

If Circle to Search isn’t working, try these solutions:

Check your permissions settings:

1. Open Settings and search for the Digital assistant app
2. Ensure the default digital assistant is set to Google and turn on the Use screenshot option.

Update the Google app using the Google Play Store.

Google Lens is best for comprehensive visual searches, identifying objects, translating text and detailed product searches. Whether you’re exploring something in the real world or trying to get info from a photo, Lens gives you a deeper dive.

Circle to Search is ideal for quick, on-the-spot searches right from your screen. It gives you immediate information about something you see using a circle or tap. With both tools available on Android, you’ve got the flexibility to choose what works best for the moment.

With Google Lens and Circle to Search, you get powerful visual tools at your fingertips. They make your phone more useful in everyday situations, so you can unlock a more intuitive experience on your device.

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