Circle to Search not requires utilizing Google’s digital assistants

The Circle to Search characteristic on Samsung and Google gadgets is an extremely nifty search device that cuts down on the variety of steps it takes so that you can search the display screen. As a substitute of taking a primary screenshot after which opening Google Lens, you simply press and maintain on the house button or navigation deal with to deliver up Circle to Search, then faucet, scribble, or draw over the phrases or picture you need to lookup. It’s an amazing characteristic that I and lots of others use just about every single day, however some customers aren’t a fan of it as a result of it locks you into utilizing Google’s digital assistant. Fortunately, that’s not true anymore.

Shortly after Google rolled out Circle to Search, we reported that the characteristic received’t work if Google isn’t your default assistant. When you picked one other app because the default assistant below Settings > Apps > Default apps > Digital assistant app after which tried to make use of Circle to Search, a toast message would seem that learn, “To make use of Circle to Search, set Google as your digital assistant.”

This limitation made sense for one motive, which has to do with the way in which the characteristic works below the hood. Circle to Search makes use of Android’s Help API as a way to entry a picture of the display screen — mainly, to take a screenshot. Solely the default digital assistant app is ready to use the Help API’s screenshot technique, which is why disabling “use screenshot” below digital assistant settings or altering the default digital assistant app to one thing apart from Google would break Circle to Search.

Whereas this limitation made excellent sense, it was nonetheless unlucky because it meant that you just couldn’t use Circle to Search with another digital assistant app like Samsung Bixby. As a substitute, you’d be pressured to make use of one in every of Google’s digital assistant providers, i.e. Google Assistant or Gemini.

Thankfully, that is not the case, as Google quietly up to date Circle to Search to in some way work even when the Google app isn’t set because the default digital assistant app. Reddit consumer FragmentedChicken was the primary to identify and ship us a tip about this alteration, which we verified on each the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 operating the Android 14-based One UI 6.1.1 launch in addition to on the Google Pixel 9 operating the most recent Android 15 QPR1 beta.

Probably the most fascinating factor about this alteration is we don’t know the way it’s potential for Circle to Search to proceed working when the Google app isn’t the default digital assistant app. Google not too long ago added a coverage that lets IT admins disable Circle to Search on work telephones, and it really works by denying AssistContent like screenshots from being despatched to privileged apps like an assistant app. Primarily based on how the characteristic labored prior to now plus this extra context, we had been led to imagine that Circle to Search was grabbing photos of the display screen utilizing the Help API — however evidently, which may not be the case.

Regardless, it’s good to see that Google discovered a method to make Circle to Search with out forcing you to additionally use Google Assistant or Gemini. Whereas I personally have converted to Gemini on my gadgets, I do know some customers desire utilizing Samsung Bixby or another app as their digital assistant. Now these customers can take pleasure in Circle to Search, as nicely, with out having to compromise.