Skip to main content

The Google Lens app is now available on Google Photos for iOS

pixel 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As announced via the official Google Photos Twitter account on March 15, users of Google Photos for iOS can now use Google Lens to analyze and extract text, hyperlinks, and other information from photos.

Originally announced at Google’s I/O event, Google Lens uses machine learning to extract text and hyperlinks from images, along with its ability to identify various landmarks from around the world and a host of other promised abilities. It first launched on Google’s Pixel phones at the tail end of 2017, before being launched for all Android phones in March 2018. As of today, March 16, iOS users can also access the deep learning of the Google Lens by accessing it through the iOS Google Photos app.

Starting today and rolling out over the next week, those of you on iOS can try the preview of Google Lens to quickly take action from a photo or discover more about the world around you. Make sure you have the latest version (3.15) of the app.https://t.co/Ni6MwEh1bu pic.twitter.com/UyIkwAP3i9

— Google Photos (@googlephotos) March 15, 2018

Anyone looking to play with Google Lens should make sure that their Google Photos app is updated to the latest version (3.15). Then, open your Google Photos app, open a photo, then tap the Google Lens logo. If you’re struggling to find it, Google has posted a small guide on its support website. Some Twitter users have been complaining that they have not yet been able to access the functionality, and it seems that the update is in the process of rolling out worldwide. It’s also worth noting that Google Lens can only be used if your iOS device’s language is set to English, for the time being.

But what can you do with Google Lens? It’s capable of extracting text from your Google Photos, and while that may not sound impressive, it’s then able to use that text to find businesses, extract hyperlinks, find addresses, or identify books, movies, and games. If you take a picture of a business card, Google Lens will offer to save the information as a new contact, taking some of the fuss out of business networking. Landmarks can also be identified, and information on ratings, tours, and history will be offered as a result.

Use Google Lens to copy and take action on text you see. Visit a website, get directions, add an event to your calendar, call a number, copy and paste a recipe, and more. pic.twitter.com/E4ww2cxVUd

— Google Photos (@googlephotos) March 15, 2018

The Google Photos account has been sharing more than a few ways to make your Google Lens work for you, and while that fact that it’s currently restricted to the Google Photos app on iOS means it’s a bit harder to use in everyday circumstances, it’s a really cool addition, and a great indication of what the future has in store for us.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
8 iPhone browser apps you should use instead of Safari
iPhone browser apps

By default, the Safari web browser is available on every iPhone, including the iPhone 15 series. Nevertheless, several other web-browsing options can be found on the App Store, each with at least one unique feature that distinguishes it from the others. While some web browser apps like Google Chrome, DuckDuckGo, and Microsoft Edge might already be familiar to you, others such as Aloha and Arc Search may not be.

If you're looking for a Safari alternative, here are our favorite iPhone browser apps you should consider using instead.
Google Chrome

Read more
We finally know the exact date of Google I/O 2024
The Google I/O 2023 logo outside Mountain View.

Google I/O is one of the biggest tech events of the year. With updates everything from Android to Google Search and (more recently) new Pixel hardware, it's one of those events you just can't miss.

Google always holds its I/O conference around the same time each year, typically in early May. However, the exact date is kept secret until a couple of months beforehand. Now, we know exactly when Google I/O 2024 is taking place.

Read more
I tried Belkin’s ridiculous new iPhone accessory — and I love it
Belkin Stand Pro with iPhone 14 Pro Max mounted in StandBy mode.

One of the most interesting iPhone accessories to debut this year is one that wouldn’t have been possible without Apple sneaking a new feature into iOS 17 last fall. While there’s no shortage of iPhone stands and mounts on the market, Belkin’s Stand Pro is something entirely different from the rest.

That’s thanks to Apple’s DockKit. It's a framework for accessory makers to create motorized stands that can follow you around the room. While the concept itself isn’t new, DockKit means that such stands can be significantly more affordable as they don’t need to pack in complex sensors. With DockKit, the iPhone does all the heavy lifting of figuring out where to point itself.

Read more