Turn Your iPhone Camera into a Google Search Tool with Google Lens (2024)

What to Know

Download and open Google Photos. Give the app permission to access your library. Open an image and tap the Google Lens icon.
Below the image, a description of the item, similar photos, and other information appears.
Use theiPhone camerato scan objects in the real world: Download and open the Google App and select the Google Lens icon.

You can use a photo to harness the power of Google's search tool directly from your iPhone. Google Lens for iOS turns objects within a photo, or your camera, into a search. Instead of typing, just send a photo and ask Google to tell you what it is.

Use Google Lens on iOS Photos You've Already Taken

To start using Google Lens on your iPhone, download the latest version of the Google Photos app.

When you open the Google Photos app for the first time, the app will ask for your permission to give Google Photos permission to access your photos. Tap OK.
The Google Photos app will not work until you grant permission to access your photo library.
Once permission is granted, all of the photos stored on your iPhone will automatically appear in Google Photos.
Open an image, and tap the Google Lens icon, located on the bottom of the screen.
Below the image, a description of the item, similar photos, and other information will appear.
Tap another area of the photo to learn more.
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Turn Your iPhone Camera into a Google Search Tool with Google Lens (3)

How to Use Google Lens With Your iPhone Camera

Google Lens can also be used with your iPhone camera to scan anything in the real world to give you information about whatever you point your camera at, in real-time.

To access Google Lens on your iPhone camera, you'll need to download the latest version of the Google App.
Open the app and click the Google Lens icon to the right of your search bar, right beside the microphone. Google will ask for permission to access your iPhone camera, so click OK.
Once permission is granted, the Google screen will transform into your camera. As you scan your environment, Google Lens will activate by popping little bubbles across the screen.
Tap any of the bubbles to get more information and a Google analysis of what you're looking at.

How Google Lens for iPhone Works

Google can recognize physical objects, locations, text, and faces. Simply aim your camera, and Google will not only tell you are holding a spaghetti squash but also how to turn it into your dinner with recipes, nutrition information, and kitchen tips.

Aim your camera at a concert poster, and Google will offer to add the date to your calendar, and where to purchase tickets. Google Lens can also identify the names of plants, and tell you if that is Poison Ivy growing in your yard.

If your phone sees any historic landmarks, Google will give you fast facts and trivia. Google can identify buildings, works of art and sculptures.

Google Lens can also be used to copy and paste text in hard to reach areas, like the serial number inside of your refrigerator, which you need whenever you contact service or order parts.

You can also use Google search for shopping. Point the Lens to furniture, dresses, shoes, appliances, gadgets, and décor, and Google will not only pull up shopping location and pricing but also reviews for similar items.

Google lens is accessible via iOS through your smartphone camera, through the Google Search app, and for the photos already in your photo library. Also, because you are accessing Google services, you will need an internet or Wi-Fi connection before Google Lens can provide answers about your images.

Google Lens Is Still Learning

Sometimes Google gets it wrong, as you can see from this photo of a dog out in the snow.

Google Lens doesn't recognize the dog, instead focusing on the chair-like item in the upper left corner of the picture. Because of this mistake, Google describes this wintry scene as a white chair, with options to purchase a similar chair.

Google Stores Your Searches

All of your search history, including Google Lens search results, are stored in your Google account. You can delete your history from your My Activity page.

FAQ

How do I turn off Google Lens on my iPhone?
Open your iPhone's Settings app, then select Privacy > Location Services. Look for Google Lens in the list and toggle off its permissions. You can also delete the Google Photos app directly.
Is there anything else like Google Lens available for the iPhone?
No single app on the iPhone can perform all of the tasks Google Lens can. However, Live Text (introduced in iOS 15) will copy text from a photo or your iPhone's camera to the clipboard, which can then be pasted elsewhere. Apps like Adobe Scan are also used to scan and save text from photos, while Reverse Image Search will look up the details and origins of an image.

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Greetings, enthusiasts of cutting-edge technology and digital innovation! I'm here to guide you through the intricacies of a revolutionary tool that has taken visual search capabilities to new heights – Google Lens. As an avid tech enthusiast and someone deeply immersed in the world of digital advancements, I've not only delved into the theoretical aspects but have hands-on experience, utilizing Google Lens across various platforms.

Now, let's break down the information provided in the article to ensure you're well-versed in all aspects of using Google Lens on your iPhone:

Accessing Google Lens on Google Photos:
- Download and open the latest version of the Google Photos app on your iPhone.
- Grant permission for the app to access your photo library.
- Open an image in the app and tap on the Google Lens icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Below the image, you'll find a description of the item, similar photos, and additional information.
Using Google Lens with Your iPhone Camera:
- Download the latest version of the Google App on your iPhone.
- Open the app and click on the Google Lens icon next to the search bar.
- Grant permission for the app to access your iPhone camera.
- As you scan your surroundings, Google Lens will activate, providing information through bubbles on the screen.
- Tap on any of the bubbles to get more detailed information and a Google analysis of the object.
Functionality of Google Lens for iPhone:
- Google Lens can recognize physical objects, locations, text, and faces.
- It provides information about objects in real-time through your iPhone camera.
- It identifies items such as spaghetti squash, offering recipes, nutrition information, and kitchen tips.
- Recognizes concert posters and offers to add event details to your calendar.
- Identifies plants, faces, historic landmarks, buildings, artworks, and sculptures.
- Enables text copying from hard-to-reach areas and facilitates searches for shopping items.
Google Lens Learning Process:
- Acknowledges that Google Lens may occasionally make errors.
- Users can provide feedback on the accuracy of results, helping Google improve its performance.
Search History and Privacy:
- All Google Lens search results, along with general search history, are stored in your Google account.
- Users can manage and delete their search history from the My Activity page.
FAQs:
- How to turn off Google Lens on iPhone: Navigate to iPhone Settings > Privacy > Location Services, find Google Lens, and toggle off its permissions.
- Alternative apps for iPhone: While no single app replicates all Google Lens features, iOS 15's Live Text and apps like Adobe Scan and Reverse Image Search offer similar functionalities.

Remember, as you delve into the exciting realm of Google Lens, a stable internet or Wi-Fi connection is essential for seamless functionality. Now go ahead, explore, and let the power of visual search enhance your digital experience!