Samsung, in its unveiling of the Galaxy S24 series, including the Galaxy S24 Ultra, highlighted several new features within its Galaxy AI suite. One of these exciting additions is Circle to Search, a feature that allows you to easily search for information on your screen using a simple gesture.
Imagine a combination of Google Lens and a screenshot search – that’s Circle to Search in a nutshell. By drawing a circle on the screen, the AI intelligently identifies items within that circle and provides relevant search results.
This intuitive feature enhances the user experience by offering fast and convenient access to information. Whether you’re browsing your home screen, navigating a website, or using an app, Circle to Search is always available. While Google is the driving force behind this innovation, it’s not exclusive to the latest Galaxy S24 devices. Older Samsung phones and a wide range of Google Pixel handsets are also compatible.
What Devices Support Circle to Search?
Circle to Search is currently supported on a variety of Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices. Here’s a complete list:
*
Samsung
* Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra
* Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra
* Galaxy S23 FE
* Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, S22 Ultra
* Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, S21 Ultra
* Galaxy S21 FE
* Galaxy A55
* Galaxy A54
* Galaxy A35
* Galaxy A34
* Galaxy Quantum 4
* Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6
* Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5
* Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4
* Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3
* Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra
* Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+
*
* Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold
* Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
* Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
* Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
* Pixel 7a and 6a
* Pixel Fold
* Pixel Tablet
How to Enable Circle to Search
Before you can use this handy feature, you need to ensure it’s enabled. When setting up your Galaxy S24, for instance, you’ll encounter a prompt during the initial setup process. This prompt, triggered by a long press on the home button or navigation bar (depending on your chosen navigation method), offers two options: Google Assistant or Circle to Search. Make sure you select Circle to Search as your preferred option.
If you accidentally chose Google Assistant, don’t worry! You can easily change this setting later. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and select “Display” or “Display & touch.”
3. Scroll further and select “Navigation Bar” or “Navigation mode.”
4. Locate the toggle for Circle to Search and ensure it’s switched to the ON position.
On Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 9 series devices, Circle to Search should be enabled by default. If it’s not, confirm that you’re running the latest software update.
Using Circle to Search
Circle to Search seamlessly integrates into your phone’s environment. You can use it from any app, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, Threads, a news app, or anything else.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Circle to Search:
1. Make sure the subject you want to search for is visible on your phone’s screen.
2. Long press on your home button or navigation bar to activate Circle to Search.
3. A translucent blue overlay will appear on the screen, along with a Google search bar at the bottom.
4. Tap, draw, or circle the element you want to search for.
5. Relevant text and image-based search results will display at the bottom of the screen.
6. If you’re not satisfied with the results, you can refine your selection or search for something else.
Adding Context to Your Searches
To further refine your search and request more specific details about your selection, you can add context. This is particularly useful for in-depth inquiries, such as finding ticket prices for a particular venue.
Here’s how to add context:
1. Once you’ve made a selection for Circle to Search and have the results displayed, select the search input field.
2. Type or dictate the context you want to add.
Exiting Circle to Search
When you’ve completed your search, you can easily exit the Circle to Search overlay.
1. If you use Button navigation, simply select the Back button to return to your app.
2. If you use Swipe gesture navigation, simply swipe inwards from either side of the screen to go back to your app.
