Google Pixel's Circle to Search comes to iPhone 15 Pro, Mac and iPad

Apple’s iOS 18.2 is borrowing a page from Google’s Pixel 8, bringing a Pixel-inspired visual recognition tool to iPhones — but with an Apple twist. Dubbed Circle to Search, the Pixel 8’s feature was designed to let users tap their screen to identify or search for information about what they’re viewing. The handy feature took off with Google’s recent Galaxy S24 integration and has since expanded to other Android devices. Now, Apple users get their own version, and, well, it’s Siri and ChatGPT doing the heavy lifting.

According to 9to5Mac, the iOS 18.2 beta that Apple just released to developers brings a new “what’s on your screen?” command that leans on ChatGPT. Yes, that’s right, Siri now taps OpenAI’s AI wizard to break down whatever’s on your display. Watching a travel vlog? Siri, with ChatGPT’s help, can tell you what monument you’re seeing. Trying to identify a famous painting? Siri can take a guess (though, per Apple’s usual caution, it’ll always ask before sending a screenshot to OpenAI).

So, how exactly does this feature work for non-iPhone 16 owners? Since Apple’s exclusive Visual Intelligence (currently only available on the iPhone 16) uses its own blend of machine learning magic, iPhone 15 Pro users, M-powered iPads and Macs get this ChatGPT-based alternative. The process is simple but ingenious: ask Siri about something on your screen, and it will take a screenshot, seek your go-ahead, and then pass it over to ChatGPT for some visual analysis.

While Visual Intelligence users on the iPhone 16 get their answers with a quick tap on their Camera Control, the ChatGPT-based workaround adds an extra step but keeps everyone else in on the fun. And if you’re feeling impatient, this first developer beta is available now, letting you give it a test drive well before Visual Intelligence spreads further.

But here’s where things get interesting. Apple is quietly working on its own proprietary on-screen content awareness features expected to debut in mid-2025. By then, Siri won’t need ChatGPT for help — it’ll handle these tasks on-device, adding a touch more privacy and speed to the process.

So, while Circle to Search may still be Google’s baby, Apple’s iOS 18.2 gives iPhone users a taste of the convenience. Whether you’re a digital detective or just curious about that building in your friend’s vacation photo, Siri’s got you covered.