Recently, Google introduced a feature called “Circle to Search,” allowing users to search for items on their Android phones using gestures like circling, highlighting, or tapping. This feature simplifies multitasking by eliminating the need to switch between apps.
Currently, “Circle to Search” is available only on certain high-end Android devices, and there’s no official word on when or if it will come to iOS. However, iPhone users can still create a similar experience with a custom shortcut.
How to Enable Circle to Search on iPhone
Although “Circle to Search” isn’t directly available for iOS, you can create a shortcut that mimics this functionality. Follow these steps to set it up:
1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the (+) icon in the top right to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap Add Action.
4. In the search bar, type “Take a Screenshot,” then select it from the results.
5. Next, tap the “Search for apps and actions” field again.
6. Type “Google” and select Search Images with Google Lens from the results.
7. After configuring the shortcut, tap Done in the top right.
Learn More: How to Remove Connected Apps and Games from Your Facebook Account
How to Trigger the Shortcut
Now that you’ve created the shortcut, you’ll need to set a gesture to activate it.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Accessibility.
3. Scroll down and tap Touch under the “Physical and Motor” section.
4. At the bottom, select Back Tap.
5. Choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap, depending on your preference.
6. Assign the shortcut you created (e.g., “Search Image with Lens”) to your chosen gesture.
Once set up, you can use the gesture to trigger the shortcut. This will take a screenshot, open Google Lens, and perform a search based on the image content.
While Google’s “Circle to Search” isn’t available on iOS yet, this method allows you to replicate the feature on your iPhone. By setting up a custom shortcut and back tap gesture, you can search for items in photos quickly and easily using Google Lens. Learn More
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