Open-source Circle to Search app offers offline search without Gemini

The shift in Google Lens

Google Lens has undergone significant changes recently, moving from a traditional search-based system to one powered by Gemini. This transition has led to a variety of user complaints regarding the reliability of the results. Many users have reported an increase in inaccurate responses, unwanted conversations, and hallucinations from the AI.

Beyond functionality, the move has sparked concerns regarding how the app handles user data. When using the official Circle to Search feature in Lens, the app sends an entire screenshot to Gemini rather than just the specific part the user highlights. This behavior has prompted some people to look for alternatives that offer more control over their privacy.

The official app has also seen the removal of several popular features, such as 'Share' and 'Save.' These changes, combined with a less accessible interface, have made the experience less streamlined for some. As How-To Geek reported, these updates have driven a demand for a simpler, more transparent tool that mimics the original behavior of the service.

A privacy-focused alternative

AKS Labs released an open-source version of Circle to Search designed to address these specific issues. Because the app is open-source, anyone can inspect the code to see exactly how it handles the data being scanned from the screen. This transparency is a primary draw for users who are wary of how large tech companies process their visual information.

One of the most significant technical differences is how the app handles data transmission. While the Google version requires an internet connection for almost all tasks and uploads full screenshots, this alternative only processes the specific area the user circles. This means that the rest of the screen remains private and is not sent to the cloud during the search process.

Furthermore, the app is not locked into the Google ecosystem. Users can choose to use different search engines, including Bing, Yandex, or TinEye, as their primary source for results. It is also compatible with phones that have been 'De-Googled,' making it a viable option for users who have removed standard Google services from their mobile devices.

Offline capabilities and features

The open-source app provides several capabilities that do not require a data connection. Specifically, it can perform text recognition and scan QR codes while completely offline. This is a major departure from the standard Google Lens experience, which relies on cloud processing for these types of identification tasks.

The app also restores functionality that many users felt was missing from the current Google offering. It includes the 'Share' and 'Save' features, allowing users to keep track of their findings more easily. These additions make the tool feel more like a utility and less like a restricted AI interaction.

The developer designed the app to be intentionally simple to use. It aims to provide the core benefits of the original Google Lens experience without the extra AI layers. This approach allows users to maintain a familiar workflow while gaining more control over their privacy and the specific tools they use to find information.

How to set up the tool

Users can download the app for free from several platforms, including GitHub, F-Droid, and the Google Play Store. Upon the first launch, the app requires the user to enable an Accessibility permission. This permission is necessary for the app to detect the user's gestures and activate the search overlay.

There are three distinct ways to trigger the search functionality on an Android device. The default method involves double-tapping the status bar at the very top of the screen. Users can also fine-tune the size and location of this tapping zone, such as placing it near the front camera cutout for easier reach.

Alternatively, the app can be set as the default assistant, which allows it to launch in the same way as the native Google Circle to Search. For those who prefer a visual cue, a floating button can be kept on the screen at all times. Once activated, the user simply draws a circle around any item on the screen to see results from their preferred search engine.

What comes next for users

This open-source project represents a growing trend of users seeking 'lite' versions of popular tools. By stripping away the AI and cloud requirements, the app serves as a bridge for those who want the convenience of visual search without the privacy trade-offs. It allows for a more modular experience where the user chooses the search engine and the data handling method.

For the average user, this means having a choice between a high-powered, AI-integrated experience and a more private, offline-capable tool. It highlights a shift toward user agency in how mobile operating systems handle screen content. As more people become aware of how screenshots are processed, these types of alternatives will likely see increased adoption.

The project serves as a reminder that many features once considered standard are now being bundled with complex backend services. By looking at open-source options, users can find ways to revert to simpler behaviors. This development provides a clear path for anyone who wants to keep the utility of Circle to Search while minimizing their digital footprint.