# **Google Launches “Search Screen with Google Lens” for iPhone: An Alternative to Circle to Search**
When Google revealed **Circle to Search** in early 2024, it transformed the search experience for Android users, enabling effortless screen searches with a gesture. Unfortunately, iPhone users were excluded, as the iOS ecosystem prevents Google from incorporating such features directly at the system level.
Now, Google introduces a new functionality for iPhones called **“Search Screen with Google Lens,”** delivering a comparable experience through the Google and Chrome apps. Although it may not be as fluid as the Android counterpart, it still offers iPhone users a straightforward method to search for information right from their screens.
—
## **How “Search Screen with Google Lens” Operates on iPhone**
In contrast to Circle to Search on Android, which can be triggered from anywhere on the screen, the iPhone variant necessitates several additional steps:
1. Launch the **Google app** or **Chrome browser** on your iPhone.
2. Click on the **three-dot menu** within the app.
3. Choose **“Search Screen with Google Lens.”**
4. Highlight, outline, or tap on an item displayed on the screen to start a Google search.
In upcoming updates, Google intends to introduce a **Lens icon** in the Chrome address bar to enhance accessibility.
—
## **Main Differences Between iPhone and Android Versions**
While this new feature brings aspects of Circle to Search’s capabilities to iPhones, significant differences are present:
| Feature | Android (Circle to Search) | iPhone (Search Screen with Google Lens) |
|———|—————————|—————————————-|
| **Activation Method** | Long-press on the home button or navigation bar | Tap the three-dot menu in Google or Chrome |
| **Works Across Apps** | Yes, anywhere on the screen | No, limited to Google and Chrome apps |
| **Gesture Support** | Circle, highlight, or tap | Circle, highlight, or tap |
| **System Integration** | Deeply integrated into Android OS | Restricted to Google’s apps |
Since Google manages Android, it can incorporate Circle to Search within the system itself. However, on iOS, Apple restricts this level of integration, confining Google’s utility to its own applications.
—
## **Availability and Rollout**
Google has begun the global rollout of **Search Screen with Google Lens**, which will be accessible to all iPhone users who have the **Google app** or **Chrome browser** installed.
While it may not integrate as seamlessly as the Android version, this feature still presents iPhone users with a convenient way to search for information on their screens.
—
## **Final Reflections**
Google’s **Search Screen with Google Lens** is a positive enhancement for iPhone users seeking a quick method to look up information without leaving their current apps. Though it lacks the extensive system integration of **Circle to Search** on Android, it remains a practical alternative for those who depend on Google’s search tools.
As Google works on refining its features, it will be intriguing to see whether Apple will introduce a similar native function in subsequent iOS updates. Until then, this new option stands as the nearest experience to **Circle to Search** for iPhone users.
Would you consider using **Search Screen with Google Lens** on your iPhone? Share your feedback with us! 🚀
