Reports are mounting that the Share option inside Circle to Search has vanished for many Android users, leaving only Create and Select Text on the overlay. The disappearance appears to be tied to recent Google app builds and could be the result of a server-side experiment, an A/B test, or a plain bug.
What Changed in the Circle to Search Overlay for Users
Normally, invoking Circle to Search presents a top bar that includes a Share button, letting you send the cropped selection to any app without saving a file to your gallery. Users now report that the Share control no longer shows up, replaced by a slimmer set of actions that excludes direct sharing. The behavior has been spotted across a range of phones where Circle to Search is available, including recent Pixel and Galaxy models.
One recurring detail in community threads is the use of a newer beta build of the Google app, with at least one report referencing a 17.3.60 series package. In some cases, resetting the Google app to its default state temporarily restores the Share button, hinting at a configuration or flag-driven toggle rather than a permanent removal.
Bug Rollback, A/B Test, or Server-Side Flag Change?
Google frequently ships features via server-side flags, especially for Search, Assistant, and Lens-related tools. That approach enables quick rollouts and reversions but can yield inconsistent interfaces day to day. If the Share control is governed by such a flag, it may have been disabled globally or for select cohorts to gather performance and engagement data.
There’s also precedent for transient UI changes when Google experiments with new flows. Circle to Search has steadily gained capabilities since launch, adding utilities such as QR code scanning and music identification. It’s plausible the team is testing a leaner layout that nudges users toward text selection or creative tools, though the sudden absence of Share—without a visible replacement—suggests an unintended regression is just as likely.
Why the Share Option in Circle to Search Matters Now
Share in Circle to Search offers a faster, more private handoff than screenshots. Instead of creating a file in your gallery, it pipes the circled snippet directly into the Android share sheet. For sensitive content or quick one-off shares to apps like Messages, Gmail, Telegram, or Slack, that workflow saves time and avoids cluttering local storage.
Removing this button adds friction. Users must either take a full or partial screenshot and manage files afterward, or rely on text selection where images are the target. For a feature pitched as the fastest way to act on what’s on your screen, that’s a notable step back.
What You Can Try Right Now to Restore the Share Button
While Google has not publicly commented, several workarounds have helped some users:
- Restart the Google app: Force stop and relaunch to refresh feature flags.
- Clear the Google app cache: Some report the button returns after a cache clear.
- Reset the Google app to defaults: This can restore Share, but it will reset preferences and may require re-sign in for some features.
- Leave the Google app beta: Switch to the stable channel in the Play Store and update, then reboot.
- Toggle Circle to Search: Disable and re-enable the feature in system settings to refresh the overlay state.
Because these controls are often managed server-side, results will vary. If the removal is part of an experiment, the Share button may simply reappear without user action.
The Larger Picture for Circle to Search and Android Users
Circle to Search has become a signature Android capability, blending Google Lens, on-device AI, and the traditional web index into a single gesture. Its appeal is speed: identify, translate, compare prices, or look up objects without losing your place in apps. Small interface choices—including whether Share is one tap away—have an outsized impact on how often people use it.
If this is a bug, a quick fix would help preserve trust in a feature that’s fast becoming a daily habit for many users. If it’s intentional, Google will need to articulate how the new flow improves outcomes or reduces complexity. Either way, the response will signal how aggressively the company balances simplicity against power as it iterates on one of Android’s most visible AI features.
Until there’s clarity, the best approach is to treat the missing Share button as a transient change. Keep the Google app updated, watch for configuration flips, and lean on screenshots or text selection as stopgaps. We’ll be watching for confirmation from official support channels or product leads.
