5 Next-Level Tips for Maximizing Google's "Circle to Search" on Android

If you're an Android user, you're likely already familiar with the nifty feature known as "Circle to Search." This tool allows you to simply highlight any text on your screen, then tap and hold your finger on it for a moment, and instantly trigger a quick search for that term using Google's Assistant. It's a powerful time-saver that can save you the trouble of manually copying and pasting text or typing out entire phrases, and it's all built right into the Google app on your device.

But what you might not realize is that there's more to Circle to Search than meets the eye. Google's implemented some advanced features to enhance the experience and make it even more useful once you know where to look and how to use it. Here are five next-level tips for taking advantage of Circle to Search on your Android device so you can get even more out of this clever tool.

1. Search within an app without leaving it

When you use Circle to Search to look up a term within an app, the Google Assistant will typically pull up the relevant info in a compact overlay at the bottom of the screen. But here's the thing: If you tap the "G" logo in the bottom-left corner of that overlay, the search result will expand and show more relevant information.

Even better, if the content you're viewing is compatible with Google's App Actions system, you'll see an "Open in app" button at the bottom of the expanded search result. That means you can view the info within the app itself, without ever leaving the app you were originally using. For example, if you look up a location in a messaging app, you'd see the map associated with that location and then have the option to open the full Maps app for further explorationâ€"all without ever leaving the messaging app. Pretty slick, right?

2. Research terms on the fly

One of the most practical uses of Circle to Search is for quick, on-the-fly research. For example, if you're reading an article on your phone and you come across a term you're unfamiliar with, just highlight the word, tap and hold it for a moment, and then tap the resulting "Search" button. The Assistant will instantly pull up a definition and additional info for that term.

But here's the next-level twist: When you're doing that sort of impromptu research, try tapping the "Share" button on the expanded search result that appears at the bottom of your screen. That will pop open the standard Android sharing menu, which means you can easily save the information into a note-taking app or message it to a friendâ€"or even send it into an app like Google Keep, where you can then add additional notes and reminders as needed. It's a quick way to expand on that initial search and make the information you've found immediately actionable.

3. Utilize the "Text to Search" feature

Google's Assistant has a lesser-known but particularly handy feature that works hand-in-hand with Circle to Search: the ability to trigger a search based on text you've copied. To use it, just highlight any text in any app on your phone, then tap the "Copy" command that appears alongside it. After that, tap and hold the area where you'd typically use the "Paste" command when you want to paste the copied text into another location. Instead of doing that, though, tap the "G" logo in the bottom-left corner of the pop-up that appears, andâ€"voilÃ !â€"you'll instantly see a search results page for that newly copied text.

The nifty part is that it works with text of any length and in any app, which makes it an excellent way to perform quick searches without any additional effort or interruption. Plus, while Circle to Search itself works with a single tap-and-hold gesture, you can adjust its behavior in the Google app's settings to include a second tap-and-hold action as a means of triggering the feature, if that feels more comfortable for you.

4. Add Circle to Search to your home screen

If you're a heavy user of Circle to Searchâ€"and really, why wouldn't you be?â€"you might appreciate having a more immediate way to access the feature, without having to first highlight any text. With a simple and uncommonly helpful workaround, you can actually create a custom icon to add Circle to Search as a shortcut on your home screen, ready to go with a single tap.

Here's how it works: First, highlight any text on your screen, tap and hold, and then tap the resulting "Search" button. When the expanded search result appears, tap the "Share" button and then tap the "Add to Home Screen" option. That'll create a shortcut that takes you directly into the Circle to Search interface, ready for you to type or dictate your search termâ€"and with a single tap.

While that might seem like just an extension of the same function you can already access more easily through the standard tap-and-hold method, being able to open Circle to Search without having to first highlight any text could be particularly useful if you're in a situation where selecting and highlighting text isn't practical or possible.

5. Turn on dark mode for easier nighttime use

If you're using Circle to Search in a nighttime setting, Google's enabled a dark mode that seamlessly integrates with the rest of the Google app's appearanceâ€"provided you have dark mode enabled at the system level on your device. To check, open the Google app, tap the three-line menu icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, select "Settings," then tap "General" followed by "Theme." There, ensure your system level preference for dark mode is activated.

Once that's done, triggering Circle to Search will automatically cause the Assistant interface to appear in dark mode whenever the rest of your device's system interface has gone dark. It's a small touch, but it makes the interaction feel a bit more seamless and offers a more consistent visual experience.

And there you have it: five advanced tips for making the most of Google's Circle to Search on Android. With a little thought and effort, you can turn an already useful tool into an even more essential part of your productivity-fueling Android experience.