December is one of the most hectic months of the year for me, both professionally and personally. Between year-end projects, holiday events and a steady stream of last-minute tasks, my calendar fills up fast. Add in holiday shopping and travel planning, and I quickly realized I needed a better way to stay organized than digging through emails or text messages to keep track of everything.
That’s where the Google app on iOS has quietly become helpful. And since Gemini 3 Flash now powers the app, it’s far more useful than many people realize. Beyond basic search, the app now offers a set of tools that make it faster to get information, track travel plans and even get real-time help using your camera — without bouncing g between multiple apps.
Here are the Google app features that actually stand out on the iPhone, plus a few tips you might not know about.
1. Get instant access to Search with a home screen (or lock screen) widget
Instead of opening the Google app manually, you can add a widget that gives you one-tap access to Search, Google Lens and AI Mode. I personally noticed the productivity boost right away.
- How to set it up: Long-press on your iPhone's home screen and tap Edit in the upper left corner. On the pop-up menu that appears, select Add Widget and search for Google's widget, which you can then add to the home screen.
- Why it’s useful: The widget turns Search into something closer to a system-level shortcut, which is especially handy when you’re trying to look something up quickly while shopping or traveling.
- Pro tip: You can also add Google widgets to your lock screen for even faster access.
2. Use Search Live for real-time, camera-based help
Search Live lets you talk to Google while sharing your camera view, so Search can see what you’re looking at and respond in real time. Personally, I prefer Gemini Live’s voice over ChatGPT Voice, but even in terms of how usability, I’ve noticed Gemini Live outperforming ChatGPT Voice.
Gemini Live is great for things like questioning the type of spider in my basement, how to fix something like the roller skate minus a wheel that my daughter shoved in my face before breakfast this morning or even where to buy something (like a new roller skate wheel).
How to access it: Open the Google app on your iPhone and tap the Live icon, then start speaking. You can enable your camera feed to show Search what’s in front of you.
It’s one of the most practical examples of conversational, visual search, especially when you need to go hands-free.
3. Search what you see with Google Lens
Google Lens turns your phone’s camera into a visual search tool. You can point it at almost anything and ask questions about what you’re seeing.
Common uses include finding where to buy an item you spotted in real life. For instance, I once used the feature by snapping a picture of the back of a stranger’s jacket so I could buy the same one (Thanks, J.Crew!)
My husband does most of our landscaping and he uses the feature for things like identifying trees and plants or asking how to take care of various shrubs, in real time.
Another helpful use is translating menus or signs while traveling. My kids always have fun with this one.
- How to access it: Tap the Lens icon in the Google app or from the home screen widget.
- Pro tip: Lens includes several lesser-known modes — Translate for instant language translation; Create, which gives access to Nano Banana, Google’s AI image editing model; and Live, which opens Search Live with the camera already enabled
4. Track flights directly from your lock screen
If you have flight confirmation emails in Gmail, the Google app can surface key flight details automatically — no airline app required. This is great for yourself or keeping tabs on a loved one.
You’ll see:
- Flight status
- Gate and terminal info
- Baggage claim details
How it works: A few hours before departure, the Google app sends a prompt asking if you want to enable Live Activities on your iPhone. Once turned on, flight info appears directly on your lock screen.
Live Activities also work for sports scores. Just search for a team or league in the Google app and tap Follow.
5. Identify songs by humming or whistling
If a song is stuck in your head but you don’t know the lyrics, Google can still help. You can hum, whistle or sing the tune (even if it's not in tune — I've tried it), and Search will try to identify it.
How to use it: Open the Google app, then tap the microphone and select Search a song.
This feature also works with music playing nearby, like something you hear in a store or on the radio, though your iPhone also has Shazam built-in to handle that task.
The takeaway
Now iPhone users are discovering what Android users have known for years: the Google app is a game changer for everything from productivity to personal organization. With the Google app available in iOS, it's making those with iPhones get so much more out of their device.
If you already rely on Google services, keeping the app on your iPhone just makes sense.
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