Google is adding more ways to trigger Circle to Search on your Samsung Galaxy, Pixel and other Android devices

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jh43cZiGplk/Z4-2YS0EaGI/AAAAAAAAtlc/c-DGFhfQZDgujueuHHnRX7L-FaMSZbGfACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_ORG_1737471573499.png"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1220" height="216" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jh43cZiGplk/Z4-2YS0EaGI/AAAAAAAAtlc/c-DGFhfQZDgujueuHHnRX7L-FaMSZbGfACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_ORG_1737471573499.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>Circle to Search has gained a lot of popularity since it was launched and has been available on millions of Android devices from different smartphone brands. Google has been adding a lot of features lately and doing various UI changes on the Circle to Search interface. Users can currently trigger Circle to Search by long pressing the gesture nav handle or if you use the three button nav, you can long press the home button. <div><br /></div><div>Now it looks like Google is adding more ways to open Circle to Search. With the latest update of Google beta app (version 16.2.39.sa.arm64 beta) I found some code that hints that Google is adding more ways to access your favorite feature (in case you hate it, just deal with it). Just take a look at the screenshot below -</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ObcvFZlNwpI/Z4-2ZA2xOEI/AAAAAAAAtlg/1Lwn-DPBHr4i9Yt6tGvHZrfRWOyFQT-LACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_ORG_1737470629345.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ObcvFZlNwpI/Z4-2ZA2xOEI/AAAAAAAAtlg/1Lwn-DPBHr4i9Yt6tGvHZrfRWOyFQT-LACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_ORG_1737470629345.jpeg" width="609" /></a></div><br /><br />In case you don't know, <b>OMNIENT </b>is codename for Circle To Search feature. The code above hints about more entry points for Circle to Search. </div><div><br /></div><div>We already know about NAV_HANDLE, HOME and FILES_APP (yes, you can trigger Circle to Search in Files by Google app when you open an image in it). The rest of the entry points seems new. I am not sure about what KIKI_APP and META is. Let's talk about the rest though.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>OMNIENT_ENTRYPOINT_LONG_PRESS_OVERVIEW - </b>Overview screen is basically the recents screen which shows all your apps you have opened. So it's possible Google could adding a button in the overview screen which can trigger Circle to Search for the app which is in focus in the recents screen.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>OMNIENT_ENTRYPOINT_LONG_PRESS_POWER -</b> Google can add a new option to trigger CTS by long pressing the power button. I think this will be part of a system update (Android 16 probably). On pixels, currently you can only set power button to trigger assistant on long press or open power menu.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>OMNIENT_ENTRYPOINT_EDGE_PANEL - </b>The Edge panel on a Samsung Galaxy device is a shortcut tab that provides quick access to your favorite apps. So you will be able soon add a shortcut here to trigger Circle to Search.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>OMNIENT_ENTRYPOINT_ACCESSIBILITY_SYSTEM_ACTION -</b> I am not sure if this new of Google already does this. This is for users who use Android accessibility services. It's possible that Google might add a shortcut somewhere in the accessibility menu to trigger Circle to Search.</div><div><br /></div><div>All these changes are a welcome addition and provide more flexibility to customize how they access Circle to Search on their device. I am not sure when all these will changes will be available but we will see soon. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can follow me on <a href="https://x.com/AssembleDebug" target="_blank">X</a>/<a href="https://www.threads.net/@assembledebug" target="_blank">Threads</a>/<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/assembledebug.bsky.social" target="_blank">BlueSky</a> and follow my <a href="https://t.me/GappsLeaks">Telegram channel</a> for more updates.</div>

Google is adding more ways to trigger Circle to Search on your Samsung Galaxy, Pixel and other Android devices

Circle to Search has gained a lot of popularity since it was launched and has been available on millions of Android devices from different s...

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