# Google Introduces Circle to Search-Like Functionality on iOS Through Chrome and Search Apps
Google is enhancing its AI-driven search features on iOS, introducing a capability akin to **Circle to Search** within Apple’s ecosystem. Although it doesn’t completely mirror the feature exclusive to Android, **Search Screen with Google Lens** provides iPhone users with a fresh method to seek information right from their displays.
## **Key Highlights**
– Google is launching **Search Screen with Google Lens** on iOS through the **Chrome** and **Google Search** applications.
– This feature enables users to **select and search** anything displayed on their screen without requiring a screenshot.
– **AI Overviews** will enrich search results by providing summarized information.
– The functionality will also be available to **Android and desktop Chrome users** at a later date.
## **How the Feature Operates**
The new **Search Screen with Google Lens** capability allows users to inquire about anything visible in the **Chrome** or **Google Search** apps on iOS. Rather than inputting a question manually, users can:
1. Click on the **three-dot menu** located in the toolbar.
2. Scroll down and choose **Search Screen with Google Lens**.
3. **Tap, draw, or highlight** an object or text on their display to conduct a search.
4. Obtain search outcomes, featuring **AI Overviews** for pertinent inquiries.
This functionality is quite similar to **Circle to Search**, a feature found on select Android devices that permits users to circle, scribble, or tap on-screen elements to query them instantly. Nevertheless, due to **Apple’s limitations**, Google’s feature is confined to its own applications and cannot be employed universally on iOS.
## **Launch and Distribution**
Google has commenced the rollout of **Search Screen with Google Lens** for **English-speaking users** in regions where **AI Overviews** are offered. The feature is presently active in the **Google Search** and **Chrome** apps for iOS, with intentions to broaden its reach to **Android and desktop Chrome** soon.
While the feature is already available, Google intends to enhance user experience by introducing a **Lens icon in the Chrome address bar** for faster access.
## **Google’s AI Growth on iOS**
This is not the inaugural instance of Google bringing **AI capabilities exclusive to Android** to iOS. Previously, **Gemini Live**, a conversational AI assistant, first launched on Android before transitioning to iPhones. Likewise, **Search Screen with Google Lens** represents another initiative by Google to bolster AI-integrated search functionalities across different platforms.
## **Concluding Remarks**
Though **Search Screen with Google Lens** does not fully substitute **Circle to Search**, it offers iOS users a **dynamic new avenue for searching** within Google’s applications. As Google continues to fine-tune its AI-enhanced search solutions, we can anticipate further cross-platform advancements in the future.
Would you be interested in seeing **Circle to Search** entirely integrated into iOS? Share your thoughts with us! 🚀
