How to search anything on iPhone, Galaxy and Pixel

Apple, Samsung, and Google have all rolled out new visual‑search tools that let users query the contents of their phone screens without needing to type in keywords. The latest wave of features—Apple’s Visual Intelligence in iOS 27, Samsung’s Circle to Search on Galaxy phones, and Google’s equivalent on Pixel devices—promises a more seamless way to get information, translate text, or even add events to a calendar simply by tapping on what you’re looking at.

Apple’s Visual Intelligence: a screenshot‑first experience

Apple announced Visual Intelligence at its September 2026 event as a core part of iOS 27. The feature extends the company’s previous Apple Intelligence work—normally a camera‑only service—into the world of on‑screen content. When a supported iPhone is running iOS 27, the user can take a screenshot of any app, photo, or video frame and the phone will automatically offer a menu of actions based on what it “sees” in the image.

The menu is context‑sensitive. If the screenshot contains a product, a restaurant, or a text block, the phone might show options such as:

• Visual search – Find similar items or related information online.
• Ask a question – The user can type or speak a query about the item.
• Text summary – The phone will read aloud or display a brief summary of any text it can read.
• Add to Calendar – If the image contains an event invitation or flyer, the phone can propose turning it into a calendar entry.
• Translate – For foreign‑language text, the phone can offer an instant translation.
• Read Aloud – The phone can read the text to the user.

The feature is built into the screenshot workflow that nearly all iPhone users already know how to use. After taking a screenshot, a small bar appears at the bottom of the screen, and the relevant options pop up. The user can tap an option and the phone will launch the corresponding app or action.

Apple has made it clear that Visual Intelligence runs “directly on the device” for many requests, but more complex searches may use a private cloud compute service. Apple states that any data sent to the cloud is used only to fulfill the request and is not retained afterward.

To take full advantage of Visual Intelligence, the phone must have the latest hardware. Apple says that only iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models support the feature. Older iPhones that can run iOS 27—such as the iPhone 14, 13, or 12—will not see the new options because the necessary processors are absent. Availability can also vary by language and region, so users in some markets may need to wait before the feature becomes usable.

Apple also added a camera‑mode variant of Visual Intelligence that can be accessed through Siri AI. By turning on Siri AI, opening the Camera app, and tapping the Siri icon, the user can ask questions about whatever is in view of the camera. This mode is still in beta and may not be available on all devices or in all languages.

Samsung’s Circle to Search: a gesture‑based overlay

Samsung’s Galaxy line has offered a similar on‑screen search capability for a longer time under the name Circle to Search. The feature arrived with Android 14 and One UI 6.1, and it remains available on a growing list of older Galaxy models that run those versions. In September 2026 Samsung rolled out One UI 9, but the Circle feature is already present on many older devices.

To use Circle to Search, the user first needs to enable it in Settings: Settings → Display → Navigation bar → Circle to Search. Once the toggle is on, the user can simply tap the navigation bar button (or press and hold the Home button on devices that still have one) while viewing any app or content on the screen. A semi‑transparent overlay appears, letting the user drag a selection box around the element they want to investigate.

Unlike Apple’s screenshot approach, Circle to Search does not require a screenshot. It works on whatever is currently displayed, whether that’s a webpage, a photo, a video, or a document. After the user selects an area, the phone offers quick actions such as:

• Search – Launches a web search for the selected image or text.
• Copy – Copies text or a link to the clipboard.
• Translate – Translates the selected text into the user’s preferred language.
• Open link – If the selection contains a hyperlink, the phone opens it in the default browser.
• Add to Calendar – If the content contains an event, the phone can propose adding it.

Circle to Search can also be used while the Camera app is open. Point the camera at an object, press the navigation button, and the overlay will appear. This is handy for quick identification of items in a shop or a landmark in a travel video.

Google has carried the same underlying technology over to its Pixel phones. Pixel 6 and newer models support Circle to Search, and the feature works in the same way as on Samsung devices. Pixel users must also keep the Google app updated and ensure that “Use screen and app data” is turned on in Settings → Apps → Default apps → Digital assistant app.

The Circle feature can be disabled by certain apps that block screen capture for security or copyright reasons. When the overlay fails to appear, the user can check that the feature is enabled and that the Google app is the chosen digital assistant.

Privacy and data handling

Both Apple and Google have addressed the privacy implications of letting a phone analyze what the user sees. Apple’s approach is largely on‑device, with the option to send data to a private cloud only for more advanced tasks. Apple emphasizes that any data sent is discarded after the request is fulfilled.

Google, on the other hand, treats Circle to Search activity as part of its broader Search history. Users can view and manage this data in their Google account settings. Google also warns users that sensitive information—such as banking details, passwords, or private documents—should not be used with on‑screen search features.

Apple also provides users with controls in Settings → Siri that let them enable or disable Visual Intelligence and related visual‑search options. These controls can be found under the “Visual Intelligence” submenu, where users can toggle the feature on or off and choose what actions they want to be offered.

Practical use cases

Both visual‑search tools aim to streamline everyday tasks:

• Shopping – Point the camera at a product in a video or a photo, then tap the screen to get similar items, prices, or reviews.
• Travel – Identify landmarks or restaurants in a foreign city without manually searching.
• Event planning – Turn an emailed invitation into a calendar event with a single tap.
• Learning – Ask questions about unfamiliar plants, animals, or historical sites that appear on the screen.
• Language translation – Quickly translate foreign text in a newspaper article or a menu.
• Accessibility – Users with visual impairments can tap to have text read aloud or summarized.

Both companies caution that the tools are meant to provide a starting point, not a definitive answer. Users should verify the information, especially when making purchases or entering personal data.

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