Circle to Search not working despite receiving notification from Pixel Tips app? Here’s what you should know

06:13 pm (IST): Google has expanded support for Circle to Search to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with the March Feature Drop. But it appears the feature is rolling out gradually, just like it was the case when it first arrived on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. We are seeing several reports (1,2,3,4,5,6) from Pixel 7 and 7 Pro users who claim they got the alert but the feature disappeared not long after. Others didn’t have it at first but got it after updating their Google app, so be sure that you’ve updated this and any other software on your phone.

Going by the reports, though, it should only be a matter of time before everyone gets Circle to Search on their Pixel 7 or 7 Pro, so keep checking your phone once you install the March update.

Original article (from Feb 5, 2024) follows:

Some Pixel users have reported receiving notifications about the ‘Circle to Search’ feature through the Pixel Tips app, only to discover it’s not quite ready for their devices yet. I saw a few reports while scrolling through my X timeline and went on to discover more reports on Reddit. Let’s untangle this confusion and see what’s going on.

If you’re rocking a Pixel 6 or 7, you might have seen a notification about Circle to Search, a nifty feature that lets you, well, search by drawing circles around content on your screen. But here’s the catch: Circle to Search is currently exclusive to the Pixel 8 series. Several users with Pixel 7 and 6 devices were excited to see the notification arrive, only to have their excitement snuffed out within a few minutes.

Google seems to have accidentally sent out the notification to Pixel 6 and 7 users, causing a bit of a stir. So, if you tried the feature and it didn’t work, that’s why! Even a product expert (not a Google employee) on the official forum noted that it’s an error.

Some Pixel 8 users are also reporting that Circle to Search isn’t playing ball. Users note that they too received the Circle to Search notification yet they aren’t able to use the feature. From what I gathered by user reports, it seems most affected individuals are on the latest Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3.1 update or any beta build for that matter. In fact, we’ve checked our Pixel 8 on the QPR2 Beta 3.1 update and confirm that the feature is missing on our end too. There could also be a slight chance that you might be in an unsupported country, more on that here.

Android expert Mishaal Rahman also claims that Circle to Search is disabled on the beta channel. Users might have to wait for the next release to get the feature.

That being said. If you’re on a Pixel 6 or 7 and received the notification, just ignore it for now. Circle to Search isn’t available for your device yet. Moreover, Google hasn’t yet hinted at support for older Pixel phones just yet.

For Pixel 8 users facing issues, you can try restarting your device or checking for software updates. In case you’re unsure about how to use the feature, then check out our detailed guide on using Circle to Search on the Pixel 8 series.

If the problem persists, consider reporting it through the Google Support channels to help them identify and fix the issue. It’s worth noting that Google has a habit for rolling out features in small batches, so that is exactly what might be happening with Circle to Search too. Just hang in there.

We’ll keep an eye out for any further developments on Circle to Search and update you accordingly. Stay tuned, Pixel fans!