Google is bringing improved translation to Circle to Search, its feature that allows users to quickly search for any information on their screen by using gestures like circling, highlighting, scribbling, or tapping. The company announced on Thursday that users can now see translations as they scroll.
“Translation is one of the most-used features in Circle to Search — you can get more context for social posts from creators who speak a different language, or browse menus when you’re booking restaurant reservations while traveling abroad,” Google wrote in a blog post. “But until now, you had to restart the translation process every time you scrolled or the content on the screen changed.”
Now, users can get continuous translation as they scroll down a page or even switch apps. For example, if you’re scrolling through Instagram and come across a post that includes images featuring text in a different language, you can use the new feature to see continuous translations as you swipe through the photos.
To access the new functionality, users need to long-press the home button or navigation bar to start Circle to Search, tap the “Translate” icon, and press “scroll and translate.”
Google says the new update will begin rolling out this week on Android, starting with select Samsung Galaxy devices.
Since its launch last year, Google has been updating Circle to Search with more functionality.
At Samsung Unpacked 2025 earlier this year, Google announced that it was updating Circle to Search to make it easier for users to find information and get things done. These changes included expanded AI Overviews for visual searches and one-tap actions for phone numbers, URLs, and email addresses shown on screen.
A few months ago, the tech giant made it possible to use AI Mode, its feature that lets users dig into complex topics and ask follow-up questions, when starting a search with Circle to Search.
