Google Rolls Out QR Code Scan Feature to Circle to Search
Google, the world-renowned tech giant, recently added a new feature to their revolutionary Circle to Search feature. The AI visual lookup tool can now automatically scan barcodes and QR codes before taking users to their embedded content.
This new feature activates whenever Google’s Circle to Search detects a QR code on the screen. After reading the information encoded within, the tool displays a floating button with a link to the code’s URL address. Users can then press this button to visit the web page.
With this auto-scan feature, users won’t need to use another device to scan the QR code on their phone or switch to a QR code scanner. Instead, Circle to Search can be opened while the image is on screen.
Activating it is as easy as pressing and holding the home button (or navigation bar) on your Android phone.
This small but impactful addition to this Android feature was introduced through a tweet from Android’s official X account early in September 2024. However, Android Authority already hinted at this update in June.
The online publication spotted the Circle to Search update after diving into the beta of the Google app’s v15.19.45.29.arm64 APK. Android Authority usually performs these “APK Teardowns” to predict features that might come in future updates.
Table of Contents
A look back on how this feature came to be
Circle to Search was introduced to users during the third week of January 2024. This feature serves as a front end to Google Lens, meaning it is the part of the application that users interact with.
Google Lens is a visual search tool that provides users with information on whatever the camera is pointed at. This is achieved through advanced image recognition technology that performs a visual analysis based on a neural network.
The search tool doesn’t just work on objects and landscapes. It can also extract text from images and translate foreign languages. Many people have used the Google Lens QR code scanning capability to get information from QR codes.
When it was introduced in 2017, it was released as a standalone app but was quickly integrated into the Google Camera app. However, it was removed in 2022 for unknown reasons and integrated with Google Photos, Google Assistant, and Gemini a year later.
In the first month of 2024, Samsung Electronics and Google officially announced the release of Circle to Search. This new Android phone feature with Google Lens integration allowed users to tap on or circle images to get more information.
Circle to Search was originally only available on the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 8 but was eventually added to other phones. Thanks to the Google app and Google Chrome, it even became usable on the iOS operating system.
In the following months, Circle to Search slowly received updates for more functions. These additions include a share button and the ability to search for music playing around you or from the phone.
The long journey of QR code scanning on mobile devices
The scanning of QR codes has come a long way since 1994. While the technology was shared by its creators at Denso Wave, QR code scanning didn’t become popular until 2002.
The catalyst for this surge in usage was the release of smartphones that supported third-party QR code scanning apps.
With the introduction of these phones, the average user could scan any code without needing a specially designed QR code reader. This would be the case for over a decade as several developers worked on and released more QR code scanning apps.
In 2017, Google and Apple made QR code scanning a native feature in the cameras of their respective operating systems.
This new update caused the popularity of QR codes to skyrocket as businesses became more confident in using a QR code generator to create codes their customers would scan.
The companies continue updating their systems' QR code scanning features. On Google’s side, QR code scanning was mostly done using Google Lens. Other applications would eventually be integrated with this technology, allowing users to scan codes using almost any Google app.
Google’s long-term goals for Circle to Search
With Circle to Search’s new feature, QR code scanning on Android phones eventually extended to codes on the phone’s own screen. Unfortunately, for most users, this capability is only available on Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones.
However, Android users can expect this to change soon. During the Google I/O 2024 software show, the company announced that over 100 million devices can use Circle to Search. Additionally, Google plans to increase this number to 200 million before the end of the year.
Older Galaxy models like the Samsung Galaxy S21 are already capable of using Circle to Search. Other phones confirmed to have received this update are the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
Users of other phone models might also be included in this number. According to Chinese smartphone manufacturer TECNO, their upcoming phone, the Phantom V Fold 2, will have Circle to Search available in its system.
While Google has not confirmed TECNO’s announcement, it does suggest that reaching their goal of 200 million involves sharing the feature with other Android OEMs.
Overall, the future looks bright for QR code scanning. The day when smartphone users won’t need third-party QR code scanners is arriving fast and will very likely change the world of communications.
