Android 15 is copying this Circle to Search feature from One UI 6.1

Google launched Circle to Search (CtS) in January this year with the Galaxy S24 series smartphones. This feature allows you to search for anything on the screen by just drawing a circle around the object. The same month, Google introduced CtS on Pixel devices. However, unlike on Galaxy devices, where CtS works even when you use applications in the split-screen mode, CtS doesn’t work when apps are being used in the split-screen mode on Pixel devices. Well, Google seems to be fixing that issue.

According to a new report from Mishaal Rahman on Android Authority, in Android 15 Beta on the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel Launcher has a flag, that, when enabled, allows you to use Circle to Search even when you are using applications in the split-screen mode, just like Galaxy smartphone and tablets.

Currently, there’s no info on Google’s plans to offer this feature in the stable version of Android 15 but we hope that it does as it would be a very useful addition. Fortunately, Samsung smartphone and tablet owners don’t have to wait for it. Features like this are why I prefer One UI over stock Android.