Google Lens for iPhone: Search & Shop With Your Camera

It's true: you don't necessarily need an Android phone to use Google Lens—this awesome tool is available for iPhone as well. While getting Google Lens to work on your iPhone takes a few extra steps. These include: 

1. Downloading the Google app on your iPhone from the App Store
2. Clicking on the Google Lens icon
3. Giving Google Permission to use your camera

It's that simple! But there's much more to know about using Google Lens on an iPhone, and in this article we'll give you the full rundown. Read on to learn all about it.

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What Is Google Lens?

If you've come upon this article, you probably already know what Google Lens is—but here's a brief explainer anyway.

Google Lens is a Google software tool that automatically integrates with specific applications and camera features to provide image search and image recognition services. Google Lens uses visual identification technology to identify, understand, and explain information from your phone or camera apps.

For instance, say you  take a picture of an outfit in a store. If you use Google Lens, Google will automatically pull up similar clothing items based on Google search results. Or, say you take a picture of a dog on the street. Google Lens can help you instantly identify what breed the dog is, and give you information about it.

Google Lens works thanks to the advanced algorithmic technology available from Google. Google takes visual information, like images stored in your Camera app, then compares those images against those already stored on the Google search engine. Based on machine learning insights, Google Lens provides suggestions, explanations, or translations depending on your needs. 

However, Google Lens is typically only available on Android devices, such as the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy. That’s because Google’s proprietary phones run on the Android operating system. As a result, Google tries to use Lens as an incentivizing factor to get people to purchase Android phones instead of iPhones. However, with the right tricks, you can use Google Lens for iPhones without too much trouble.

Does Google Lens Store Searches and Data?

Yes. Like other Google searches, your Google Lens searches are stored in your Google account. 

Furthermore, Google saves all Google Lens searches regardless of whether or not they are performed on a Google account. Google takes all that information to update and improve its search engine algorithms and machine learning processes.

How Do You Use Google Lens on iPhone Devices?

Google Lens is included as an integrated search feature on an Android device with the native Camera and Photos applications. In other words, Android users can start using Google Lens immediately. However, if you have an iPhone, don't despair. You can still use Google Lens. Here's how: 

1. Download the Google App. The latest version of this application should be available on the Apple App Store. 
2. Open the Google App from your home screen and click on the Google Lens icon, located to the right of the search bar at the bottom of the screen, next to the microphone icon.
3. Google will then ask for your permission to access your iPhone’s camera. Click “OK.” Once you grant permission, the Google App screen will transform into your camera screen. You are now ready to scan your environment and take images.

Google Lens should automatically activate and produce small bubble icons over the screen. You can tap any bubbles on the screen to get more information about the recognized objects.

What Can You Use Google Lens for?

Now that you know how to get Google Lens up and running on your iPhone, let’s break down how you can use Google Lens in many different ways.

Using Google Lens on Photos

As mentioned above, you can use Google Lens for photos you’ve already stored on your iPhone or iPad. To do that, just open up the Google Photos app — you can’t use Google Lens on your iPhone’s native photos app, unfortunately.

Once you open up the Photos app from Google, you can select the photo you want to analyze and tap the Google Lens icon. Google will search for similar images and provide you with relevant information.

Using Google Lens With Your Camera

If you have an iPhone, you can use Google Lens with your camera, provided you use the Google App to do so. You cannot use Google Lens with your iPhone’s native camera app. You have to use the Google App.

Open the Google App. Once you give Google permission to access your camera hardware, the Google App will transform into a new version of the camera app instead of the native Apple one with the standard camera icon. Then you can analyze the images your camera captures in real-time.

Using Google Lens To Translate a Language

See a foreign language you want to be translated with excellent accuracy? You can either take a photo of the text to be translated or simply point the camera-enabled Google App at the text in real time.

In both cases, Google Lens will translate the text into English or whatever native language your phone is programmed to be. This is a quick and easy way to see what a foreign sign says, for example, while traveling abroad.

Using Google Lens for Homework

Need some help with your math homework? Point Google Lens at it. Simply open the Google App as explained above, then point your phone camera to the math problem. Google will quickly calculate the answer based on what it thinks is written down.

Note that this unique Google Lens use case is most effective if your handwriting is legible or the homework problem is typed out. If your writing is a little scribbly, don’t be surprised if Google Lens doesn’t produce the correct answer or doesn’t recognize the math problem at all.

Using Google Lens To Identify Plants and Animals

You can even use Google Lens to identify different plants and animals: another handy feature if you are traveling abroad and want to learn more about the local natural environment. To do this, simply open your Google App, give it permission to access the camera hardware, and point Google Lens at the plant or animal you want to identify.

Google Lens should quickly come up with the specimen's name and related information. However, give Google Lens plenty of space to analyze the subject; if you’re too close to the plant or animal, it might produce the wrong result.

The Bottom Line

While Google Lens was originally designed as an Android-exclusive feature, iPhone users don’t have to miss out on its powerful capabilities. By simply downloading the Google app and granting camera access, you can unlock a wide range of features—from real-time translations and homework help to plant and animal identification—all directly from your iPhone. Though it requires a couple of extra steps compared to Android, the convenience and functionality it provides make it well worth the effort. With Google Lens, your iPhone becomes more than just a camera; it becomes a smart tool for exploring, learning, and interacting with the world around you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Google Lens app for iPhone free?

The Google Lens app is free to download and use on your iPhone. You can download the app for free on both iOS and Android.

What is the iPhone equivalent of Google Lens?

Apple's answer to Google Lens is a feature called Visual Intelligence, which is set to release with later updates of iOS 18 as a part of the company's AI toolset called Apple Intelligence. Visual Intelligence will let you recognize and identify objects in photos, like plants, text, and more.

Is Google Lens a safe app?

Yes, Google Lens is a safe app to use. Google takes several measures to keep it safe and family-friendly. It uses Google’s SafeSearch guidelines to identify and filter out any explicit content, making sure the results you get are relevant and safe.