Google’s Circle to Search on iOS: The Google Lens Shortcut

For Android users, the convenience of Google’s Circle to Search feature has been a valuable asset, enabling them to search for images, text, and other visible elements on their screens with ease. However, iOS users have been left longing for a similar functionality. While Google may never integrate this feature directly into iOS, a new shortcut offers a solution, providing iPhone users with a taste of Circle to Search.

Introducing the Google Lens Shortcut

Recently, the official Google app on iOS introduced a shortcut that allows users to scan images using Google Lens. Although not identical to Circle to Search, Google has assured users that both features utilize the same optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Setting up this shortcut is simple and can be done in a few easy steps:

• Update Google App: Ensure that you have the latest version of the Google app installed on your iPhone.
• Access Shortcuts App: Launch the Shortcuts app, which can be downloaded from the App Store if you don’t have it already.
• Create Shortcut: Create a new shortcut and add the “Take Screenshot” action followed by “Search Image with Lens.”
• Customize Shortcut: Give your shortcut a name and save it.

Triggering the Shortcut

Once the shortcut is set up, you can trigger it in several ways:

• Action Button: If you have an iPhone 15 Pro model, you can assign the shortcut to the Action button.
• Back Tap Gesture: For other iPhone models, you can use the double or triple back tap gesture in Accessibility settings to activate the shortcut.
• Voice Command: Alternatively, you can use Siri to activate the shortcut by speaking its name.

How it Works

Regardless of how you trigger the shortcut, it functions the same way. It captures a screenshot and utilizes Google Lens to scan the image, providing relevant results based on the on-screen elements it identifies. While not a perfect substitute for Circle to Search, this shortcut offers iPhone users a practical alternative that can be accessed seamlessly across iOS.

For those looking for additional functionality to manage their data across devices, Smart Transfer is a versatile data manager app worth exploring. Smart Transfer simplifies the process of transferring data between devices, including photos, videos, contacts, and more. With its intuitive interface and robust features, Smart Transfer enhances the user experience by streamlining data management tasks.

Sum Up

In conclusion, while iOS may lack Google’s Circle to Search feature natively, the introduction of the Google Lens shortcut offers iPhone users a valuable workaround. By leveraging this shortcut, iOS users can enjoy similar functionality to their Android counterparts, bridging the gap between the two platforms. Additionally, apps like Smart Transfer further enhance the iOS experience by providing efficient data management solutions.