Google Lens update will save your searched images to access later

Google Lens, the visual search tool available as a standalone app and built into Google's Pixel phones, is getting a major update. Soon you will be able to save the images you analyze with Lens and easily review them whenever you want. This is a much-needed feature that users have been asking for. Previously, when you used Google Lens to search for information about an image, the image itself was not saved. This meant you either had to take a separate photo with your camera app and then search with Lens, or lose the visual content once your search was complete.

Now, as reported 9to5Google, Google Lens can automatically save the images you search with it. You can always find them later by visiting myactivity.google.com. From there, you can even re-upload the images if you want to run another Lens search or use them for something else. This eliminates the problem of having to go through multiple steps to capture and then identify an image with Lens and makes it easier to reference past searches in the future.

This change specifically applies to searches using Google Lens in the Google app. Images analyzed through the Google Photos integration or other Lens features, such as Circle to Search, will not be saved to this history.

The new feature is optional and will need to be activated manually by accessing your Google account settings, available at myaccount.google.com. From there, enable the “Include visual search history” option under “Data & Privacy” > “Web & App Activity.”

The rollout of this new visual search history feature begins today and is expected to reach all users in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for a pop-up in Google Lens that will let you know when the feature will be available to you.