What Is Circle to Search?
Circle to Search is Google’s on‑device visual search feature that lets you draw a circle (or simply press and hold) on any part of the screen and instantly get information about the highlighted content.
How to Use Circle to Search Today
Current workflow:
- Long‑press the home button or navigation handle.
- Drag a circle over the area you want to investigate.
- A card slides up from the bottom showing standard Google Search results – an AI overview, visual matches and web links.
- You can tap the bar at the top of the card to switch between “All results”, “AI mode” or other filters.
New AI‑First Workflow in Version 17.3.59.sa.arm64 Beta
The latest beta of the Google app (v17.3.59) adds a hidden toggle that makes AI Mode the default output for Circle to Search.
- The same long‑press gesture still launches the feature.
- When the AI‑first toggle is active, the result card opens directly in AI Mode, showing a concise, AI‑generated answer before other results.
- Users can still switch back to the traditional view with a single tap.
What This Means for Users
Google is clearly prioritising AI‑driven answers, so the feature may soon feel more like a conversational assistant than a classic visual search.
- Faster access to AI summaries for screenshots, text snippets, and images.
- Potential for richer context, such as translations, calculations, or quick actions.
- All existing functionality (visual matches, web links) remains available.
Looking Ahead
Although the AI‑first mode is not yet public, the groundwork is in place. Expect Google to roll it out gradually, possibly as part of A/B testing, before making it the default for all Android users.
Stay tuned for official announcements and keep your Google app updated to catch the next wave of Circle to Search enhancements.