Searching with an image helps when words are not enough: a product name is missing, a screenshot needs context, or a photo needs a match. The fastest route is usually Google Lens, but phones, browsers, shopping apps, and AI tools all handle different image-search jobs. Start with the method that matches where the image already is, then switch tools when you need a product result, a screen search, or an exact image match.
1. Start with Google Lens on the web
Go to google.com or images.google.com.
Select the Google Lens camera icon in the search bar.
Drag in an image, upload one, paste one, or select an image from your device.
Review the Lens results.
Add text to refine the search when you need a more specific match.
Tip: use Google Images when you already have a file and regular Google Search when you want Lens next to your normal search workflow.
2. Use the Google app on your phone
This fixes searches from a saved photo, screenshot, or new camera shot.
Open the Google app on Android, iPhone, or iPad.
Tap Google Lens in the search bar.
Take a photo with the camera or choose an image or screenshot.
Review the results.
Tap Add to your search and enter keywords to narrow the results.
3. Search an image from Chrome or a web page
On Chrome desktop, open a website and choose More > Search this tab with Google Lens, or right-click the page and choose Search this tab with Google Lens.
Select, drag, or click the page area you want to search.
To search a specific image on desktop, right-click it and choose Search with Google Lens.
On Chrome for Android, touch and hold an image on a webpage, then tap Search image with Google Lens.
On iPhone or iPad in the Google app, touch and hold a website image and tap Search inside image.
On iPhone or iPad in Chrome, touch and hold a website image and tap Search image with Google.
Tip: Chrome desktop requires Google as the default search engine for the built-in Lens integration.
4. Capture what is on your screen
On Chrome for iOS, open the three-dot menu and tap Search Screen with Google Lens.
In the Google app for iOS, open the three-dot menu and tap Search this Screen.
Select what you want to search by drawing, highlighting, or tapping.
On supported Android phones, start Circle to Search by long-pressing the Home button in 3-button navigation or long-pressing the navigation handle in gesture navigation.
Circle, highlight, tap, or scribble the image, video, or text on screen.
Add text in the search bar and swipe up for more results.
5. Use iPhone image search tools
With Apple Visual Intelligence on supported iPhones, click and hold the Camera Control, point the camera at an object, then tap Search to search for similar images.
To search onscreen content, quickly press and release the side button and volume up button at the same time, then use the visual intelligence tools at the bottom.
Tap Search to search the web for similar items, or swipe over a specific item to highlight and search it.
In Photos, Safari, Quick Look, and other supported places, open a photo or image full screen or pause a video on a frame.
Tap the starred Info button, then tap Look Up to review Siri Knowledge and web results.
Tip: Apple Visual Intelligence requires a supported iPhone with Apple Intelligence available, current iOS, and Apple Intelligence turned on.
6. Control Google Visual Search History
Google’s Visual Search History setting covers eligible services including Google Lens in the Google app, the Lens app, Circle to Search, and Android search surfaces. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google account > Data & privacy > Web & App Activity, then check or uncheck Include Visual Search History. To find or delete saved images, use Web & App Activity > Manage all Web & App Activity.
7. Try Bing, Edge, or Copilot
Go to Bing Images or select Images at the top of a Bing results page.
Select the camera icon in the search box.
On desktop or laptop, drag an image, take a photo with a webcam, browse for a picture, paste an image, or paste an image URL.
On mobile, take a photo, use a saved image, or browse and upload a saved image file.
In Microsoft Edge desktop, right-click an image and choose Visual Search.
In Microsoft Edge mobile, tap the address bar and tap the camera icon above the keyboard, or long-press an image and choose Search Bing for this image.
In Microsoft Copilot, upload or take a photo, then ask what you want to know about it.
Tip: use Bing or Edge when you want another visual search index, and use Copilot when you want a conversational answer about the image.
8. Find products, style ideas, or exact image matches
This fixes searches where a general web result is not specific enough.
For shopping on Amazon, open the Amazon Shopping app, tap the Amazon Lens camera icon in search, then upload an image, take a photo, or scan a barcode.
For home, fashion, and idea discovery on Pinterest, log in, tap or click the camera or lens icon in search, then take a picture, upload an image, or choose from your camera roll.
Inside a Pinterest Pin, open the Pin in closeup and tap the Pin or the magnifying-glass-sparkle icon to search visually.
For reverse image matching, go to TinEye, then upload an image, paste an image URL, drag an image into the search box, or paste one from the clipboard.
For AI analysis, upload an image to Gemini or ChatGPT and ask a specific question about what is in the image.
9. Replace older Google image search instructions
Older guides may tell you to right-click a picture and choose Search Google for image, or to use the old Google Images upload flow without Lens. Current Google consumer guidance routes image searching through Lens instead, including Right-click image > Search with Google Lens in Chrome. Use the Lens wording when older menu names do not match what you see.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to search with an image?
Use Google Lens from google.com, images.google.com, the Google app, or Chrome. It supports uploaded images, screenshots, camera searches, and refining results with text.
Can I search with an image from my iPhone camera roll?
Yes. Open the Google app, Chrome, or Safari, tap Google Lens in the search bar, then choose a photo from your camera roll or take a new one.
Is TinEye the same as Google Lens?
No. TinEye is for reverse image matching, such as finding where an image appears online. Google Lens is broader and can identify objects, products, screenshots, and visual content.
When should I use Amazon Lens or Pinterest instead of Google Lens?
Use Amazon Lens for product shopping matches and barcode scans. Use Pinterest Lens when you want home, fashion, and visual idea results.
Can AI tools search with an image?
Gemini, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot can answer questions about uploaded images. Use them for visual Q&A or analysis; use TinEye or a visual search engine when you need indexed image matches.