How to use Google Lens on your iPhone and iPad

Whether we admit it or not, we are heavily dependent on our devices. Our iPhones and iPads serve as personal assistants that tell us everything we need to know, get our jobs done, and help us navigate.

We use it to communicate, take photos and videos, navigate, do our jobs faster and better, and most importantly, make our lives easier.

One such feature that makes this possible is Google Lens. This tool uses the computing power of artificial intelligence to make it easier to search the web – no matter what you’re looking for.

This image recognition app understands the image you provide and helps you perform useful activities such as spotting places and objects, learning places and menus and more.

Curious enough? Below I will show you how to use Google Lens on your iPhone or iPad.

• How to use Google Lens on an iOS or iPadOS device
• How to Use Google Lens in Real Time on iPhone
• Other cool things you can do with Google Lens

How to use Google Lens on an iOS or iPadOS device

Before I tell you about the extensive features packed into Google Lens, I should first answer the question, “Where is Google Lens on my iPhone/iPad?”Unlike Android users, who can use Google Lens with a separate app, iPhone and iPad users do not get this privilege.

Regardless, you can still use Google Lens by installing the Google app or Google Photos.

Don’t be fooled by the camera button you see when you go to Google in your browser. It will only direct you to the Apple Store so you can download the Google app.

If you’re choosing between the Google app and the Google Photos app, it’s important to note that Google Photos doesn’t support live search.

How to Use Google Lens in Real Time on iPhone

As mentioned, Google Photos does not support live search, so if you want to use the app in real time, you need to use Google Photos instead. Unfortunately, this feature is not available for iPad users.

In the Google app, start using Google Lens by tapping the camera icon next to the search bar. This will redirect you to Google Lens. Click Search using camera → Turn on camera. The Google app will ask you for permission to access the Camera app. Touch OK.

At the bottom of the screen, you can swipe left or right to change the tabs to suit your needs. Below are the actions you can take with Google Lens in real time:

1. Translate

Just place the camera in front of the element you want to translate. It automatically detects the language and allows you to translate it into another language. Tap the language on the right to open the “Translate to”window and select the language you want to translate it into.

In case you’re not in the know, Apple has a built-in Translate app that you can use on your iPhone too!

2. Text

This option allows you to take a photo of text from the environment and use parts or all of the text in the image. Just highlight the text and Google Lens will instantly show you text-based search results. Drag search results up to view them in full screen mode. Click the down arrow next to the text to return to the camera view.

3. Search

The Search tab offers a feature similar to the Text tab. It only looks for visual matches instead of text in the image.

4. Homework

Are you having problems with homework at school? Google has you. Just take a picture of it and let Google help you find a solution to your problem.

Bonus: It detects both written text and text on the screen.

5. Shopping

The Purchases tab works like a search. However, instead of showing you all the search results, it filters them and only shows you the product search results. This allows you to find similar products or other products that match the keyword that the original image falls into.

6. Places

The first time you launch the app, it will ask you for access to your device’s location in order to better determine your location. Just click “Enable Location”and give it access to your location once or whenever you use the app.

Take a photo of your location and wait for the app to provide detailed location information based on visual matches. You can also point to a landmark or building and let the app determine where you are – a great feature when you get lost!

7. Dining room

Eating out? Take a photo of a restaurant menu so that Google Lens gives you more information about individual dishes, including the best dishes in the restaurant. You can also tap “Select Restaurant”to have the app search for nearby restaurants in your area. It can also suggest recipes for the dishes you choose.

Other cool things you can do with Google Lens

The ones mentioned above are just Google Lens features that you can use in real time. Below are other ways to use Google Lens on your iPhone or iPad.

Finding photos from your camera roll

Reverse image search on iPhone or iPad is one of the most popular Google Lens features. This is ideal if you have an image of an item you want to find, such as an outfit someone wore or a destination your friend visited last weekend.

To start the search, click “Allow access to photos”and select “Select photos”or “Allow access to all photos.”Then do the following:

1. Launch the Google app.
2. Select an image in the Screenshots section.
3. Once downloaded, select the appropriate tab that best suits your search.

Help identify plant and pet breeds

Apart from famous landmarks, buildings and monuments, you can also determine what plant was in the park the other day or what breed of your friend’s dog.

Get more out of text

Google Lens uses optical character recognition which allows you to detect images, text and more.

Learn to pronounce the word

Don’t know how to pronounce something? You can have the app read the word to you.

1. Open the Google app → tap the camera icon → take a photo.
2. Select the Text tab and select the text you want to read.
3. Tap Listen.

If you need to know the meaning of a word, tap the Search tab instead to get more information about the highlighted text.

Scan handwritten notes

You can also convert handwritten notes to digital text directly. Simply take a photo of a handwritten note → select Text → select parts or all of the text → Copy Text.

Scan business cards

Someone handed you a business card? Instead of manually entering their details on your phone, you can scan the card and let Google Lens discover the contact information. A prompt will appear asking you to create a contact by clicking +[name] in the Related Content section.

Add events to your calendar

Another useful feature is the ability to quickly add events to the calendar. It can be a poster for an upcoming event or an advertisement on social networks. Simply take a photo of the ad and Google Lens will discover the details of the event and offer to add it to your calendar.

Tip calculator

Google Lens lets you calculate tips and split the bill if you’re having dinner with friends. Just scan the receipt and indicate how many parts you will divide it into.

Track your packages

Google Lens also helps you keep track of all the items you buy online. Just point the camera at the tracking number to see the delivery status of your package.

Read book summaries

One of the many things that Google Lens is great at recognizing are books! If you’re a reader and still wondering if a book is worth buying, just grab your device, take a picture, and let Google Lens display details like reviews and summaries.

All of these are great features. But if you’re not interested in using Google Lens, you can try Apple Live Text on iPhone. If you’re wondering how they compare, we’ve put Live Text and Google Lens side by side in the article for a more in-depth comparison.

Completion…

Google Lens eliminates our addiction to words. Instead of trying to find the right words to express, it allows you to use visual information to perform a range of functions, increasing the functionality of your device.

Have you used Google Lens for your iPhone or iPad? What feature do you use the most? Did you use it for another hack that I didn’t list? Please feel free to comment below!