I remember having to take screenshots and then feed them into Google Lens whenever I needed to figure something out. That was until mid-2024, when my Samsung Galaxy S22 received the One UI 6.1 update that added Circle to Search. Thanks to ongoing updates, the feature has continued to improve.
It’s become the Android feature I use most on my phone, to the point that it now plays a major role in deciding which smartphone I’m to buy next. Yet, I rarely see people talk about it or its use cases.
I consider that a missed opportunity because it’s so fitting for so many scenarios. From helping me in the middle of chats to assisting while gaming and speeding up my research, these are the ways Circle to Search fits into my daily routine.
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Find and identify products instantly
Shop what you see
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196528716@N07/53495205117/Credit: Justin Duino / MakeUseOf
Circle to Search is designed to provide instant information about anything on your phone’s screen after you’ve circled, highlighted, or tapped it, without requiring you to switch apps. One of the biggest ways I use this feature is to find products I notice in photos or videos. I could be watching a YouTube video on my phone and spot a piece of furniture, home decor, or a clothing item that catches my eye. Instead of pausing the video or opening a separate app, I just hold down my home button and tap or circle the item, and I get all the information I need right away.
This feature works in any app that allows screenshots. For instance, you can’t use it on Netflix because screenshots aren’t supported there, but almost everywhere else works. I often circle entire outfits, desk setups, or room layouts to identify multiple items at once, which makes it much easier to track down specific pieces or find similar alternatives without interrupting what I’m doing.
Learn without breaking your flow
Whether it’s a landmark, term, or tricky math question, you’ll get answers immediately
I also rely on this feature whenever I want to quickly learn about something without interrupting what I’m doing. I can circle buildings, such as the Burj Khalifa, or natural elements, like different termite species, and instantly get background information and useful context. If I’m texting someone and they mention something unfamiliar, I simply activate Circle to Search, highlight the text, and a Google results page, an AI Overview, or AI mode page appears with the explanation I need. Within seconds, I had enough information to continue the conversation confidently without losing any momentum.
This feature is just as helpful when I’m reading academic materials or working through math or accounting problems on my phone. Instead of jumping between apps or searching manually, I highlight the question and receive helpful hints that point me toward the next step, rather than just giving me the final answer.
Translate and interact with text
Speak any language on the fly
When you activate the Circle to Search feature, you’ll find a translation icon at the end of the search bar. You don’t even need to highlight or circle anything on your screen to use it. Just tap the translation icon, and every visible text on your screen can be translated in real time.
This is my go-to whenever I’m engaging with popular posts on LinkedIn or Instagram and want to read them quickly without any holdups. If I want to leave a comment, I type my reply in a language I’m comfortable with, activate Circle to Search, highlight my comment, and tap Translate. From there, it’s simply a matter of selecting the right target language, copying the translated text, and pasting it in place of my original comment.
Since you can translate both individual words and full pages, this feature is also helpful when you run into unfamiliar terms; I often highlight words to get quick definitions. It’s also especially useful for grabbing text from images or apps that normally don’t allow text selection; I could be browsing WhatsApp statuses, notice a link I need, and I’d just copy it for later use.
For gaming and everyday fun
When it’s time to play
If I’m honest, this category is probably where I use Circle to Search every single day. When I’m playing games, whether that’s my daily Microsoft Solitaire challenges, LinkedIn games, or New York Times puzzles, and I get stuck, I simply activate Circle to Search and highlight the relevant text or tap the screen to search for the full page. Within seconds, I get useful results that help me move forward. Pinpoint, in particular, often pushes me to look up word meanings or explore different uses of a term, so I rely on this feature from time to time to figure out the category. I end up using it at least once a day to get through at least one of my three daily games.
Another perk I enjoy is music recognition. Just before the translation icon, you’ll find a musical note icon that you can tap within the search bar to identify songs playing around you or through your device’s speakers. I find this to be a convenient alternative to Shazam. Instead of reaching for my notification bar to find the Shazam icon, I just press and hold my home button, which is usually already accessible while I’m using my phone, and tap the song search icon. It opens a Google results page, which is even more useful when I want access to videos, remixes, lyrics, and other related information.
I also use this feature to highlight the names of places I notice in videos, pictures, or online chats. If I spot a restaurant name, for example, I can quickly look it up to see reviews, directions, and other useful details without ever leaving the app I’m using.
Underrated, but still my most-used tool
In my opinion, Circle to Search doesn’t get nearly as much credit as it deserves. It’s easily my most-used Android productivity feature because it helps me get information and assistance quickly without interrupting my workflow.
If you can access Circle to Search, there’s really no reason not to use it. It makes it easier to grab context and find information than ever before. Once you start using it regularly, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
