Quick Guide: How to Use Circle to Search Like a Pro

Quick Guide: How to Use Circle to Search Like a Pro،

The latest suite of AI features on Galaxy and Pixel devices recently introduced a new feature called Circle to Search. As the name suggests, the feature lets you search for anything by drawing a circle on it. Or exactly? Anywhere on your smartphone screen.

Circle to Search is basically easy access to Google Lens. Previously, users could use the Search Screen feature that allowed them to search, translate, and read aloud anything on their screen in most apps. Circle to Search, however, is available across the entire operating system and is not limited to certain applications.

Which devices are compatible with this feature? Well, you will need either a Pixel 8 series device or a Galaxy S24/S23 series device running One UI 6.1. How to use this new feature on your smartphone? Let's find out.

To start

Before we enable Circle to Search and start using it, we need to make sure we have a few things ready.

1. Make sure your device is compatible

First, you must have a compatible device to use Circle to Search. Here is a list of devices “currently” compatible with Circle to Search:

Google Pixel 8
GooglePixel 8 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung has confirmed that some of its older devices will also get Circle to Search functionality by March 2024. These devices include:

Galaxy S23 series
Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy Z Fold5
Galaxy Z Flip5
Galaxy Tab S9 series

2. Install the latest software update

Next, make sure you have installed the latest software update available for your device. Follow the steps below.

Note: Your device must have the January security patch or later.

On a Google Pixel:

Open it Settings application.
Scroll down and tap System.
Press on System update.
Press on Check for update basically.
If an update is available, tap Download and install.
Once the installation is complete, tap Reboot.

On a Samsung Galaxy:

Open it Settings application.
Scroll down and tap Software update.
Press on Download and install at the top.
If an update is available, tap Install now and wait a few minutes for the update to install.
Reboot your phone once the update is successfully installed.

3. Update the Google app

It's not just your phone that needs to be updated, but the Google app as well. This is because Circle to Search uses the Google app (also known as Google Search) to search for text and images on your screen. Follow the steps below to update the Google app.

Open the Google Play Store.
Tap the search bar at the top, type “Google,” and hit Enter.
Press on Google from the first search result.
Press on Update.
Once the app is updated, go to the app info and make sure the version number is there. “cts” inside. If the “cts” in the version number, then you are good to go.

4. Enable Use screenshot in Google Assistant

You must also grant permission to “Use screen context” to be able to use Circle to Search. Enabling this permission will allow Circle to Search to capture your screen once enabled. Follow the steps below.

Open it Google application.
Press your profile picture top right.
Then tap Settings.
Press on Google Assistant.
Scroll down and tap General > Use screen context.
Make sure the “Use a screenshot” the toggle is activated.

Enable Circle to Search

Now that everything is set, you can enable Circle to Search and start using it. Ideally, the feature should already be enabled by default. However, if it doesn't or you accidentally disabled it, follow the steps below to enable it.

On a Google Pixel:

Open it Settings application.
Scroll down and tap System.
Press on Navigation mode.
Now press the gear icon next to the navigation mode you are currently using.
If you use gesture navigationenable the button next to “Hold handle to search”.
If you use 3-button navigation However, turn on the toggle next to “Keep home to search.”

On a Samsung Galaxy:

Open it Settings application.
Go to View > Navigation bar.
Turn on the toggle next to Circle to search.
Make sure to select your preferred browsing mode from here. You can either choose Buttons Or Swipe gestures.

Note: To disable Circle to Search, you can simply turn off these toggles.

Use Circle to search

Once you're ready, you can start using Circle to Search.

3-button navigation: Press and hold the Home button and draw a circle on your screen.

Gesture navigation: Press and hold the navigation or gesture bar for about 1 second and draw a circle to search.

Besides drawing a circle, you can also simply tap your screen or scribble something to search. You can search for both text and images.

Add to circle to search

Finally, you can also request more information about the screenshot or circled area by typing something in the “Add to circle to search” field. Google uses generative AI and Google Search to deliver highly compelling results.

For example, if you circle a food item, you can ask for its recipe, or if you circle a pair of sneakers, you can ask Circle to Search to show you something similar in a different price range.

Note: Add to Circle for Search is still rolling out and may not be available to all users.

FAQs

1. Can I use Circle to Search on any device?

Circle to Search is currently only available for the Google Pixel 8 series and Samsung Galaxy S24 series, with a few more Galaxy devices joining the list soon.

2. When will Circle to Search come to the Galaxy S23 series?

Samsung has confirmed that the Circle to Search feature will be available on the Galaxy S23 series by March 2024. The device series also includes the recently launched Galaxy S23 FE.

3. How is Circle to Search different from Google Assistant’s “Search Screen” feature?

While the Google Assistant “Search Screen” feature is limited to just a few apps, Circle to Search is universal and available across the entire operating system. Circle to Search also has an “Add to Circle to Search” feature that Google Assistant lacks.

Wrap

Circle to Search is an exciting new feature that allows users to quickly find what they are looking for. Instead of taking a screenshot and then uploading it to Google Lens, users can simply long-press, draw a circle, and search.

Although this feature is still limited to a handful of devices, we can expect it to expand to more people in the near future. We hope this guide helped you use Circle to Search on your device. If you still have questions, let us know.

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