Circle to Search: Modernise Your Search Experience

In our fast-paced digital world, finding information swiftly is a superpower. Picture this: You’re engrossed in an article on your phone, and suddenly, there’s a term or image that piques your curiosity. Instead of fumbling with search engines, imagine effortlessly circling it with your finger and—voilà! —instant results appear. That’s the magic of Circle to Search! 

Ready to level up your information game? Dive into this cutting-edge feature and redefine how you interact with your device. Say goodbye to clunky searches and hello to intuitive exploration. Check out our blog for a step-by-step guide on embracing Circle to Search and revolutionising your search experience! 

Table of Contents 

1) What is Circle to Search? 

2) The phones you need 

3) How to Enable Circle to Search? 

4) How to use Circle to Search? 

5) Conclusion 

What is Circle to Search? 

Google Circle to Search is an innovative feature designed to enhance smartphone interaction. This functionality allows users to quickly and efficiently search for information by drawing a circle around the desired text or image on their screen. It utilises advanced recognition technology to provide instant search results, making your browsing experience faster and more intuitive.
 

The phones you need 

Circle to Search, an exciting feature, first appeared on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024. Shortly after, it became accessible on Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Now, this innovative functionality is also available on older Samsung and Google devices.  

With Circle to Search, you can explore and learn more about anything that piques your curiosity by simply circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping on it, all without switching apps. The list includes: 

a) Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra 

b) Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra, and S23 FE 

c) Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra 

d) Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra 

e) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 

f) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 

g) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 

h) Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra 

i) Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro 

j) Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro 

k) Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro 

l) Google Pixel 6A and 7A 

m) Google Pixel Fold 

n)  Google Pixel Tablet 

As of now, Circle to Search is available on these devices, enhancing the search experience for a wide range of users. Hopefully, the feature will be available on other Android phones in the future. 

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How to Enable Circle to Search? 

Curious about how to activate Circle to Search on your smartphone? Follow these simple steps to get started and revolutionise your search experience! 

1) For Google Pixel Phones: 

 To enable this feature on Google Pixel, follow these steps: 

Step 1. Update Software:  

a) Ensure your phone has the latest software. Go to Settings > System > Software updates to check for and install updates 

Step 2. Open Settings: 

a) Navigate to the main Settings menu on your Pixel phone 

Step 3. Display and Navigation Mode: 

a) Tap on Display 

b) Select Navigation mode 

Step 4. Enable Circle to Search:
 

a) Choose between gesture or button navigation 

b) Tap the gear icon next to the current mode 

c) Turn on the Circle to Search toggle switch to enable the feature 

2) For Samsung Galaxy Phones: 

To enable this feature on Samsung Galaxy, follow these steps: 

Step 1. Update Software: 

a) Make sure your phone is running the latest software. Go to Settings > Software update to check for and install any available updates. 

Step 2. Open Settings: 

a) Navigate to the main Settings menu on your Samsung Galaxy phone 

 Step 3. Display and Navigation Bar: 

a) Tap on Display 

b) Select Navigation bar 

Step 5. Enable Circle to Search 

a) Look for the Circle to Search toggle switch 

b) Turn it on. This enables Circle to Search for all navigation modes. 

Now, you can enjoy the enhanced search experience provided by Circle to Search on your Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel phone. 

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How to use Circle to Search? 

Circle to Search is a convenient feature that simplifies how you search for information on your smartphone. Here’s how to get started: 

1) Getting Started: 

When you first activate Circle to Search, you'll see an introductory screen explaining how the feature works. Tap “Try it now” to begin. (You won’t see this screen on subsequent searches.) 

2) Launching Circle to Search: 

a) With Navigation Buttons: Long-press the home button (the circle) to launch Circle to Search. 

b) With Gesture Navigation: Long-press the navigation handle at the bottom of the screen to access the feature. 

3) Using Circle to Search: 

Circle or Select an Item: You can circle text or an image, drag a line across text, scribble on an image, or just tap on it. Android’s AI will identify and begin the search based on your selection.
 

Using the S Pen: For Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra users, the S Pen can be used instead of your finger. Handles will appear around the selected item, allowing you to adjust the search area. 

4) Viewing Search Results: 

Search results will pop up quickly, similar to Google Lens. Scroll through the results and tap on any of them to see more details.
 

5) Adding Context to Your Search:
 

You can refine your search by typing an additional query in the search bar at the top of the results screen or by using the mic icon to voice your query. For example, you might ask, “What can I put this on?” for a condiment, or “Why is this trending?” for a popular image. 

6) Exploring Additional Features: 

Circle to Search works seamlessly across various apps, whether it’s an Instagram caption, a webpage image, or artwork on a podcast. This feature doesn’t require the app to support text selection or image saving. 

7) Exiting Circle to Search:
 

To exit Circle to Search, tap the X in the top-left corner of the screen. If you tap the three dots in the top-right corner, you’ll find options to view your Google search history across all apps and services. You can also delete the last 15 minutes of your search history from there. 

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Conclusion 

Circle to Search transforms your Android phone into a treasure trove of knowledge, making every search an adventure and every result a discovery. Embrace this revolutionary feature for a smarter, swifter, and more intuitive way to find your needs. Whether you’re shopping, learning new words, or planning travel, this feature makes every search an adventure. Say goodbye to the mundane and hello to instant insights at your fingertips! 

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