The Samsung Galaxy S24 series is the new premium Android smartphone of this year and ‘Galaxy AI’ is one of the major highlights of it. Samsung’s Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra will pack several advanced AI features to make your life easier and more fun. One of the key features made by Google is ‘Circle to Search.’ This new gesture stands true to its name – draw a circle around an object in a picture or text to search for more information.
Here’s a quick guide on setting up and using the Circle to Search feature on Samsung Galaxy S24 series phones.
Note: Some AI features from the S24 series like Circle to Search will also make their way to the S23 series.
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What Is the Circle to Search Feature
Circle to Search is a new Google feature to search for anything on your screen without leaving the current app. When you circle, scribble, tap, or highlight something on your screen, Google will summon the Google Lens and pull up everything related to the selected text or image. Google has partnered with Samsung to introduce Circle to Search exclusively on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, accessible in many languages and regions where the device is available.
Earlier with Google Lens, you’d have to take a screenshot, open it in the Photos app, and then tap the Lens icon to run a search. Alternatively, you could enter the recent apps screen, long-press on any image, and receive a prompt to view the image using Google Lens on Android 14.
Circle to Search cuts down all that and makes it quicker to search for information about what’s on your screen.
You can use it to quickly identify a flower or a dog’s breed from someone’s Instagram story, look up a jacket or sneaker that your favorite creator is wearing, learn more about the food recipe, and much more.
That means all you need is an active internet connection on your Samsung Galaxy S24 series phone.
Extension of Multisearch
Google’s existing Multisearch feature allows users to combine text and image searches in Google Lens. The feature is now getting a significant upgrade with Generative AI. It can now function more as a ‘knowledge box’ rather than just a visual search tool. You can capture or upload a photo and ask a question about it in the search box. Google will then use Generative AI to provide you with an answer.
For example, click a picture, upload it to Lens, and ask, “How do I play this?” in the search box. It will not only provide information about the game and related visuals but also offer instructions on how to play, followed by the rules.
However, the multisearch feature works only in the Google app for Android and iOS while being limited to the US at the time of writing.
How to Enable the Circle to Search on Galaxy S24
You’ll need to enable the Circle to Search from the Settings before you can start scribbling on the screen of your Galaxy S24 series phone. Here’s how to turn it on:
1. Open Settings on your Samsung Galaxy S24 series phone.
2. Tap on Display and then choose Navigation Bar.
3. Scroll down and enable the toggle for Circle to Search.
After that, Circle to Search is ready to use on your Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
How to Use the Circle to Search on Galaxy S24
After you enable the feature, using Circle to Search is quite straightforward. It works exactly how it sounds. However, the steps vary depending on the navigation mode you’re using – whether you’re using OneUI’s default buttons or another launcher. Here’s how to proceed:
1. Tap and hold the Home button (if using on-screen button navigation) or the Navigation bar at the bottom (if using gestures).
2. Draw a circle around the object on your screen that you want to do a Google Search for, using your finger or an S-Pen.
3. When you lift your finger or S-Pen from the phone’s screen, it will search the web for the object of interest and bring up the results.
Is It Coming to Other Android Phones
Samsung has worked closely with Google to add Circle to Search with the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S4 Ultra. On January 31, Google will make the new Circle to Search available on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro as well. It’s safe to assume that it’ll be available to other Android phones later this year – after every phone maker tests it on their Android phones thoroughly.
