A New iPhone Shortcut Copies Android’s Best New Feature

TLDR: New iOS shortcut replicates Android’s Circle to Search feature using Back Tap, allowing iPhone users to quickly scan screenshots with Google Lens.

iPhone users can now enjoy a feature similar to Android’s Circle to Search, thanks to Google.

Google’s design manager for Google Lens, Minsang Choi, has shared a new iOS shortcut on X. The shortcut uses the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro devices to take a screenshot and run a Google Lens scan. Choi says it’s faster than Circle to Search.

Back Tap Support

Abner Li found that the shortcut also works with iPhones that support the Back Tap feature. This lets you double-tap or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to activate system functions, including running an iOS shortcut.

How to Use Back Tap

To try the new Circle to Search-like feature using Back Tap:

1. Make sure you have an iPhone 6S or newer running the latest iOS.
2. Install the Google app on your iPhone if you haven’t already.
3. Install the Google app shortcut for iOS.
4. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
5. Select Back Tap at the bottom of the Touch menu.
6. Choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap (Double Tap is easier but more prone to accidental triggers).
7. In the Shortcuts section, select “Search your screenshot.”

Now, when you’re browsing on your phone, just tap the back of your device. The shortcut will automatically take a screenshot and run a Google Lens scan.

It’s not as precise as Android’s Circle to Search, where you can circle what you want. But it still works!