When Google introduced the Circle to Search feature alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, it quickly became a standout innovation for Android users. Now, Google has unveiled a subtle yet powerful enhancement to this feature—one that enables Circle to Search to scan both barcodes and QR codes.

This update was first announced by Google on X, with a playful tweet that caught the attention of Sam Mobile. The ability to scan these codes was not entirely unexpected; there had been speculation and hints about it through various code explorations since May. In fact, QR code scanning appeared in an APK teardown as early as July, indicating that the feature was nearly complete.

With this new capability, Circle to Search becomes even more versatile. Whether you’re browsing the web or viewing images on your phone, you can now activate Circle to Search, highlight the area containing a barcode or QR code, and let the search tool do the rest. It will scan the selected code and instantly open the associated link or display the embedded information.

Beyond the Circle to Search feature, Google has been working on improving the overall QR code scanning experience. These updates aim to make it easier for users to scan codes with just one hand, and the functionality is now accessible through Quick settings. However, this specific enhancement is more tailored to scanning QR codes found out in the world, rather than those on your device screen.

As is common with Google’s updates, the rollout of this feature is staggered. If you already have Circle to Search on your phone following a recent update, you might already have access to this new scanning ability. Google’s announcement confirmed its availability, although it remains unclear whether the update is delivered server-side or through the Google app. If the feature hasn’t appeared on your device yet, just give it a day or two for the update to reach all eligible devices.