Google removes lens shortcut from circle to search: Simpler UI but Fewer Visual Search Options

Google has recently made a significant change to its Circle to Search feature, removing the shortcut for Google Lens. This update follows a recent visual tweak, and while it streamlines the user interface, it also limits easy access to the popular visual search tool.

Previously, users could access Google Lens via a small ‘G’ logo located at the bottom of the Circle to Search field. This logo allowed for quick access to various Google features, including the Google app, voice search, and Lens, along with text query options. The Lens shortcut was particularly useful for those wanting to perform live visual searches directly from the Circle to Search interface. In addition to this, the song search feature, represented by a music note icon, was added recently alongside translation options.

With the latest update, however, Google has removed the Lens shortcut from this lineup, which could be seen as a regression. The removal means that users no longer have quick two-step access to Google Lens from any part of their phone. Although some Pixel phones offer a Lens shortcut on the homescreen in the bottom-right corner, other devices, and third-party launchers don’t have that convenience. To work around this, users can either place the Google Search widget on their home screens or download the standalone Google Lens app to regain easy access.

It’s unclear if this removal is due to a bug or an intentional change by Google to declutter the Circle to Search interface. Reducing the number of buttons from four to three does give the UI a cleaner look, but losing easy access to Google Lens on Android is a drawback for many users who rely on it for quick visual searches.

This update seems to have rolled out widely across both the stable and beta versions of the Google app, following a server-side change earlier this morning. Whether this shift is permanent or subject to further tweaks remains to be seen.