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Google is enhancing Circle to Search with a new AI Mode that lets you get smarter, context-aware answers without leaving the screen. The change brings an 'Ask anything' search bar into the circle experience and surfaces an AI overview of the item you select — all designed to make mobile searching faster and more natural.
What AI Mode brings to Circle to Search
Circle to Search already lets you draw a circle around anything on your Android screen to identify it or pull up related results. With the latest update — spotted in the Google app beta — an AI-powered panel now appears after you circle an object. That panel includes an AI Overview that summarizes the item and a persistent ‘Ask anything’ bar at the bottom for follow-up questions.
Two practical improvements you’ll notice
- One-handed convenience: Moving the search bar to the bottom makes it easier to type or tap on large phones without juggling the device.
- Seamless follow-ups: You can view image results and ask additional AI questions in the same view, avoiding page switches and keeping context intact.
How to try AI Mode today (beta)
The feature has appeared in the Google app beta (version 16.4.7) and is rolling out to users on the Android 16 QPR2 beta. If you’re enrolled in those betas, test it like this:
- Open the Google app (beta) on a compatible Android 16 device.
- Hold the bottom navigation bar to activate Circle to Search.
- Draw a circle around an item on the screen.
- Look for the AI Overview and the ‘Ask anything’ bar at the bottom of the screen.
If you see the new UI, you can start asking follow-up questions right away and get AI-generated context alongside image search results. If not, the rollout may not have reached your device yet — Google typically phases these updates during beta testing.
Why this matters for mobile search
Imagine snapping a photo of a plant, circling a leaf, and instantly getting both identification and follow-up tips without swapping apps. That’s the promise: faster info, fewer taps, and conversational follow-ups powered by Google’s AI. For everyday tasks — shopping, homework, travel, or quick fact-checks — these tweaks can save time and reduce friction.
As AI continues to weave into search tools, expect more context-aware features that keep the conversation flowing where you are — on the screen, in the moment.
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