Google is the official search app for Android phones and tablets. It supports text, voice, image and camera searches, provides personalised recommendations and helps users quickly find relevant websites.

The Google app is not the same as the Chrome browser. Its main purpose is to provide direct access to Google Search, Lens, Discover and AI-powered search tools.

What the Google app can do

Standard web search is combined with voice input and image recognition. Google Lens can identify plants and animals, translate visible text, find similar products and perform reverse image searches.

Key features include:

• text, voice and image search;

• song identification by playing or humming a melody;

• the personalised Discover feed;

• a Search widget for the Home screen;

• live text translation through the camera;

• product and visual searches with Google Lens;

• AI Mode, AI Overviews and Search Live where available.

AI Mode supports more detailed questions and follow-up prompts. Its answers include links for further research, but users should still verify important medical, legal, financial or other sensitive information.

Things to consider

AI Mode, Search Live, Circle to Search and other recent tools are not available on every device or in every country and language. Circle to Search requires a compatible Android phone.

Signing in is not required for a basic web search. A Google Account is used for personalised Discover recommendations, saved activity and some additional features.

The app may collect location, search activity, personal information and device-related data. Search history and personalisation controls can be accessed from the profile menu. Some results and Discover recommendations may contain advertising.

How to download and install Google

To download the Google app for Android, tap the download button on this page. Google Play will open, where you can select “Install” or “Update”.

Google comes pre-installed as a system app on many Android devices. If it was previously disabled, the store may display an “Enable” button instead.