In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of the Circle to Search feature missing on Pixel 8 Pro. While not many will be aware, but we first saw this feature all the way back with Android 6 when you just needed to long press on the home screen and Google used to display the information from the web pertaining to numerous elements present on the screen.
Then came the lens app which took it a step further and now, we finally have the best and most refined version of this feature. Launched first with the Samsung S24 series, it has since made its way over to the latest Pixel flagships as well. Or so we thought. Numerous users have voiced their concern that the Circle to Search feature is missing from their Pixel 8 Pro, even though we are way past the rollout date of 31st January.
If you are also in the same boat, then this guide will make you aware of a couple of handy workarounds that should rectify this bug. So without further ado, let’s get started.
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Fix Circle to Search Missing on Pixel 8 Pro
It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
FIX 1: Rolled out for Non-Beta Users first!
As strange as it may sound, Google has inadvertently rolled out this feature for the non-beta users first instead of its beta testing group. So the testers who had signed up to get blessed with new functionalities are infact having to wait behind the stable users. Strange times we are living in, all thanks to Google. UPDATE: Google has now rolled the update for the beta testers as well. You just need to download and install the latest Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 update.
FIX 2: False Pixel 6/7 Notification!
Yes, another classic Google mistake, this time around it sent out alerts to the Pixel 6 and 7 users that the Circle to Search feature is now available and they are ready to test it out. However, the Circle to Search is not yet compatible with the Pixel 6 and 7 series, it’s only intended for the latest flagships [at least, at the time of writing]. So if you own the earlier iteration of Pixels and got your hopes high due to this notification, then unfortunately it’s time to get back to ground level.
FIX 3: Verify Region Compatibility
All AI features, including the Circle to Search, is part of Google’s Search Lab, which is currently available in 120 countries. So head over to this page and verify that your region is part of that list.
FIX 4: Wait!
One of the most infuriating parts of any Google feature rollout is that it could end up taking ages, due to its slow rollout schedule. While it is usually down to minimize the negative impact in case there are any bugs, however, this is why beta testers are there in the first place. But when you end up rolling out updates to stable users before the beta testers, then you don’t have many options in hand, do you?
That’s it. These were the various methods that might help you fix the issue of the Cirlce to Search feature missing on Pixel 8/Pro. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest. [Featured Image Credit: Google Blog]
