How to Nearly Implement ‘Circle to Search’ on the iPhone
Replicate Android’s Circle to Search on Your iPhone with This Shortcut
Don’t let Android users have all the AI fun. Here’s how to bring Circle to Search to your iPhone.
Credit: Samsung
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you circle an object on your phone’s screen to get relevant Google results, has been a popular addition to Android devices. But what if you’re an iPhone user who wants to enjoy this convenient AI magic? Thankfully, you can replicate the functionality with a clever iOS shortcut.
This shortcut, developed by Minsang Choi, a design manager at Google Lens, leverages the power of Google Lens to perform visual searches from screenshots. It’s not quite the same as the seamless circling experience on Android, but it’s a close and effective alternative.
Setting Up Circle to Search on iOS
Before you dive into the shortcut, make sure you have the Google app installed on your iPhone. This app houses various Google tools, including Google Lens, which is essential for this shortcut to work. Once you have the Google app, you’re ready to set up Circle to Search on your iPhone.
1. Download the Shortcut
Open a web browser on your iPhone and visit the website where the Search your screenshot shortcut is hosted. You’ll find a “Get Shortcut” button, which will initiate the download process. This shortcut is an automated routine that you can execute on your iPhone to perform specific tasks.
2. Add the Shortcut
Once the shortcut is downloaded, the Shortcuts app will open. Tap “Add Shortcut” to confirm the installation. This will add the Search your screenshot routine to your Shortcuts app, allowing you to access and use it whenever you need.
3. Choose a Launch Method
Now, you need to pick a method for launching the shortcut. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can use the new Action button. Go to your iPhone’s Settings, select Action Button, and then swipe left to choose Shortcut. Finally, select “Choose a Shortcut” and pick the Search your screenshot shortcut.
Alternatively, you can use a double-tap or triple-tap on the back of your iPhone. To set this up, go to Settings, Accessibility, Touch, and Back Tap. Choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap, and then select “Search your screenshot” from the list of shortcuts.
There are two simple steps to the shortcut. Credit: Lifehacker
Using Circle to Search on Your iPhone
With the shortcut set up, you’re ready to start using Circle to Search on your iPhone. To activate the shortcut, simply press and hold the Action button, or double-tap or triple-tap the back of your iPhone. This will take a screenshot of your current screen and send it directly to Google Lens. The first time you use this, you’ll need to tap “Always Allow” to confirm that you’re okay with sharing between apps.
Google Lens will then analyze the screenshot and perform a visual search based on the image. It may automatically select the most relevant part of the image, but you can adjust this by using the four white corner handles. You’ll see search results displayed below the image, along with a text box where you can add additional search terms. For example, you might want to ask for directions to a specific location in the image or search for similar items.
Google Lens takes over when the shortcut is launched. Credit: Lifehacker
Benefits and Limitations
This shortcut, while not as seamless as the native Circle to Search on Android, offers a convenient way to leverage Google Lens for visual searches on your iPhone. It’s quick, easy to use, and can save you time when trying to find information about things you see on your screen. It’s a great way to get the most out of Google Lens and enjoy some of the AI magic that Android users have been enjoying.
However, the shortcut does have some limitations. It can be slow to load at times, and it doesn’t always accurately recognize the object you’re trying to search for. Despite these minor drawbacks, it’s a valuable tool for iPhone users who want to explore the world of visual search.
Beyond Circle to Search
This is just one example of how you can use Shortcuts to bring Android features to your iPhone. With a little creativity, you can find shortcuts that replicate many of the features you love on Android. So, if you’re an iPhone user who’s been missing out on some of the latest AI features, don’t despair. There’s a shortcut for that!
Give this Circle to Search shortcut a try and see if it can help you get more out of your iPhone. You might be surprised at how useful it can be in your daily life.
