Skip to main content

Have one of these Google Pixel phones? You’re getting Circle to Search

Someone holding the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a next to each other.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Circle to Search — Google’s excellent search tool that debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 earlier this year — is about to become available to more people. Specifically, it’s coming to a bunch more Pixel devices, giving even more people a chance to use it for themselves.

As the name implies, Circle to Search allows you to circle or scribble anything on your screen to perform a Google Search for it. It’s great for those times you see something on your phone and want to know more about it, but aren’t sure how to type out a Google Search for it. It launched on the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in January and then quickly made its way to the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Recommended Videos

Now, Google says Circle to Search is expanding to the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a. As of March 27, the feature is “currently rolling out,” so keep your eyes peeled for it to hit your phone soon. So long as your Google app is updated to the latest available version, it should arrive shortly.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

In addition to the above phones, Google also says that Circle to Search is “coming soon” to the Google Pixel Fold and the Google Pixel Tablet. It’s unclear when exactly this is happening, but they’re both confirmed to get Circle to Search at some point. This news follows Samsung’s recent rollout of One UI 6.1, which adds Circle to Search (among other Galaxy AI features) to the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Renders showing Circle to Search's new translation button.
Google

Along with adding Circle to Search to more Pixels, Google has also announced a new way to use the feature. If you’re looking at something on your screen that’s in a different language — such as a menu, website, etc. — Circle to Search will show a translation button so you can instantly translate the foreign text into whatever language you speak. Google says it will be rolling out “in the coming weeks.”

Joe Maring
Joe Maring has been the Section Editor of Digital Trends' Mobile team since June 2022. He leads a team of 13 writers and…
Future Samsung phones may steal this great Google Pixel feature
Someone holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE with its screen turned on.

A lot has been said about the impressive capabilities of our phone cameras when it comes to capturing photos. However, they are also quite effective at recording videos. Unfortunately, unwanted background noise can often be captured when filming.

The Audio Magic Eraser is a valuable feature that leverages artificial intelligence to eliminate unwanted noise from recorded videos. While this tool is currently exclusive to Google Pixel 8 and later models, such as the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, it now looks like a similar tool could be coming to Samsung devices.

Read more
Google quietly announced a huge change for the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel Fold
The back of the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro.

If you have a Google Pixel 6, Pixel 7, or original Pixel Fold, then we have some good news. Those devices will now last longer, as Google has extended update support for them by an additional two years, according to a change on its support page.

When the Pixel 6 launched, Google also announced that it would be extending software support for future devices from three years to five years. Previously, Google only gave its hardware three years of security and Android OS updates, but at that time, security updates were extended to five years. Android OS upgrades stayed at three.

Read more
Google’s December 2024 Pixel Drop just arrived with a boatload of new features
Someone holding a Google Pixel 9.

It’s December, and that means a big new update for your Android phone, as well as even more goodies if you’re a Google Pixel user.

Google is officially rolling out its December 2024 Pixel Drop, and there's a lot to go over. From new features for all Android users to a few things exclusive to Pixels, here's the lowdown on what's new.
New features for all Android users

Read more