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How to use Circle to Search on Android

On a Pixel, touch and hold the bar at the bottom of the screen, then circle or tap what you want to search. On Samsung, touch and hold the home button.

How to do it

  1. On a Pixel, touch and hold the horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen until the search overlay appears.

  2. Circle, highlight, or tap the part you care about.

  3. On a Samsung phone, touch and hold the home button instead of the gesture bar.

  4. If nothing happens, the phone does not have Circle to Search. Holding harder will not add it.

It sends the selected region to Google search. Do not use it on a screen that shows a password, a code, or someone else's private message.

Questions people ask

Which phones have Circle to Search?

Recent Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones and some others. If holding the bar does nothing, the phone doesn't have it.

Can I copy text with Circle to Search?

Yes. Highlight text in the overlay and you get a Copy option.

Is it private?

The part you select goes to Google search. Don't use it on a screen showing passwords or someone else's messages.

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