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Samsung Galaxy owners cheer as the ‘most useful feature ever’ finally lands on cheaper phones and makes searches faster
The feature is available on dozens of Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets. See the full list below.
A POPULAR Google feature - dubbed it's 'most useful ever' - has just landed on two cheaper Samsung Galaxy models.
Samsung adopted the Google feature for its newest Galaxy S24 devices in January, and has been has since been rolling it out to more devices ever since.
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Circle to Search, which was only unveiled at the beginning of the year, has now been issued to select Galaxy A series phones and tablets:
- Galaxy A55 5G
- Galaxy A35 5G
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
"Circle to Search has quickly become a fan favorite since launching on the Galaxy S24 series," Samsung wrote in a blog post announcing the news.
For those who are unfamiliar with the feature, Circle to Search lets Android users initiate a Google search simply by circling something on their screen.
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"When Circle to Search is enabled, users can simply circle, highlight or tap anywhere on the screen to select the text, image or video they want to search," according to Samsung.
Android owners are big fans of it.
"Circle to Search is the most useful feature on a phone, ever," one Google Pixel user wrote on Reddit.
"I use it so many times a day, it's become such a habit!
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"Now when I have a friend's phone in my hands, I always end up trying to circle to search, and I'm confused why it doesn't work.
"The other day I was reading a book and there was a word I didn't understand, so I tried to circle to search it... (I'm ashamed...)."
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Another replied, saying: "I agree, I love this feature. I can translate and copy everything from anywhere on the fly."
A third person added: "Circle to search and schedule messages are something I use often, absolutely great quality of life type things."
The feature is available on dozens of Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets.
Full list of eligible devices:
- Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra and S23 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, and S9 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
- Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
- Google Pixel 6A and 7A
- Google Pixel Fold
- Google Pixel Tablet
How to use Circle to Search
To use the Circle to Search feature, simply follow these steps:
- Start Circle to Search:
- On 3-button navigation mode, touch and hold the Home button.
- On gesture navigation mode, touch and hold the navigation bar.
- The Google Search bar and a gradient appears.
- Circle, highlight, scribble or tap the part of the image or text that you want to search.
- For more accuracy, use your two fingers to zoom or move around your screen before you circle.
- When you've finished and want to return to your original app context, swipe down, use the back gesture or tap X on the top left.
In a statement, Samsung executive TM Roh, said: “These updates unlock new possibilities for the Galaxy A series and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series and reinforce our commitment to providing cutting-edge technology for more Galaxy users.
“We are dedicated to bringing best-in-class AI technology to a broader audience, empowering users with the option to work more efficiently, create more freely, and enjoy richer, more personalised interactions with their devices.”
It's important to note that this feature doesn't work on certain apps, like banking and other confidential apps, according to Google.
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And although many Android owners love it, some users say the feature gets in the way of certain gestures, and have disabled it.
Others said they struggled to find anything to use it for.
How to turn off Circle to Search
If Circle to Search isn't your thing, or it's simply getting in the way, you can disable it with these instructions:
On 3-button navigation mode:
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Search for Circle to Search.
- Tap Circle to Search.
- Turn off Circle to Search.
On gesture navigation mode:
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Search for Circle to Search.
- Tap Circle to Search.
- Turn off Circle to Search.