Google Lens

Google Lens is one of the best all-around camera identification tools you can use on your iPhone. It’s available inside the Google app, or you can download it separately, and it lets you search using your camera or an existing photo from your library.

The main reason Google Lens is so useful is that it handles a little bit of everything. You can use it to identify objects, plants, animals, landmarks, products, furniture, clothes, and even similar images online. If you only want to download one visual search app, this is probably the one most people should try first.

Google Lens is also great for text. You can point your camera at a sign, menu, document, label, or handwritten note and copy the text, translate it, or search it online. That makes it helpful when you’re traveling, shopping, studying, or trying to understand something written in another language.

And, believe it or not, it’s also a strong shopping tool. If you see a pair of shoes, a lamp, a backpack, or a piece of furniture you like, Google Lens can help you find similar products online. It won’t always find the exact item, but it usually gives you a good place to start.