How to Fix Visual Lookup Not Working on iPhone

Trying to fix Visual Lookup not working on iPhone?

The Visual Lookup feature has been a great addition to the iOS 15 update. Not only does it allow you to identify the main subject of an image, but it also provides additional information regarding objects, artwork, and landmarks with just one tap! 

You can easily access this feature via Photos. However, if Visual Lookup is not working on iPhone, it can be due to various reasons, such as a poor network connection or an outdated iOS version. Worry not, as this guide will provide you with multiple troubleshooting fixes to get your Visual Lookup working again.

So, let’s get started!

1. Check Supported Devices.

If the Visual Lookup feature is not working on your iPhone, it may be because your device doesn’t support it. The only devices enabling users to use this feature include an A12 Biconic chip or later processors. If your iPhone is among iPhone SE (2nd generation), XS, XR, 11, 12, and 13 series, then it should support this feature.

2. Enable Show in Look Up for Siri. 

Not enabling Visual Lookup in Siri suggestions can also be why this feature is not working on iPhone. Since many of its results rely upon Siri’s knowledge, hence you need to enable this option.

You may do this by following the steps mentioned below:

  1. Head over to the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and locate Siri & Search.
Siri & Search
  1. Then, turn on the toggle for Show in Look Up below Content from Apple.
Siri & Search Show in Look Up

Now try using the Visual Lookup feature to see if the issue has been resolved.

3. Select Compatible Images.

Sometimes, there exists an image issue leading to the Visual Lookup feature not working on iPhone. For example, if too many subjects are in your image, the feature may not appear on your device.

This is because Visual Lookip may have difficulty distinguishing between the many objects and hence cannot identify and pinpoint the main subject. Therefore, if your photo is cut-off or unclear, you may not be able to see the Visual Lookup icon. For this reason, it is crucial to select suitable images.

Try using Visual Look Up on another image to find out whether the problem lies in your image selection or the feature itself.

4. Check Your Region.

Another reason Visual Lookup may not be working on your device is because of your region. Just like various other features of the iPhone, Visual Lookup is accessible in limited regions and languages. 

Earlier, the feature was only available to users residing in the United States, but with the recent iOS release, it was launched in Canada and beyond. So, if your selected region and language don’t fall under the ones compatible with this feature, you can change your device location by following the steps below:

  1. First, go to the Settings app.
  2. Find General and tap on it.
iPhone General settings
  1. Then, look for the Language & Region option and tap on it.
Visual Lookup Not Working on iPhone
  1. Select Region.
Language & Region settings iPhone
  1. From the list of regions that appear on your screen, select one that supports Visual Lookup.
  2. Once you’ve changed the region, tap on Add Language.
Visual Lookup Not Working on iPhone
  1. Now, according to your selected region, tap on a language that supports Visual Lookup.

After setting up a compatible region and language, check to see if you can access the feature. However, remember that selecting your device location that doesn’t sync with your geographic location may result in other issues.

5. Ensure Network Connectivity.

One condition for accessing the Visual Lookup feature is an active Wi-Fi or mobile network connection. If your device isn’t connected to a stable network, no information will appear once you tap the Visual Lookup icon. Therefore, for this feature to work correctly, you need to make sure your iPhone has a stable network connection.

6. Restart Your iPhone.

One of the most common fixes to resolve any issues is restarting your iPhone. This may help in fixing Visual Lookup not working on iPhone by giving your device a fresh restart. Here’s how to do it:

For newer iPhone models:

  1. Press and hold down the Side button and either the Volume Up or Volume Down button until you see the slider appear.
  2. Drag the slider across the screen to turn off your device.
restart iPhone
  1. Wait for a few seconds. Then, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

For older iPhone models:

  1. Press and hold the Side button until the slider shows on the screen.
  2. Then, drag the slider across the screen. This will turn off your iPhone.
  3. After waiting for several seconds, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

Once you’ve restarted your device, go to Photos and check to see if the Visual Lookup feature is working.

7. Update Your iOS.

Since Visual Lookup is a feature associated with the iOS 15 update, it’s likely you’re unable to access this feature due to an outdated iOS. Hence, for you to fix this issue, update your device to the latest iOS version.

Here’s how to perform the update:

  1. First, launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Then, locate and tap on General.
  3. Next, select the option that reads Software Update.
update iOS
  1. If there is any pending or new update available, simply tap on Download and Install.

Once you’ve updated your iPhone to the latest iOS version, check to see if you can access the Visual Lookup feature.

8. Try Google Lens Instead.

If all the solutions mentioned above proved to be unsuccessful in fixing Visual Lookup not working on iPhone, consider going for an alternative, such as Google Lens. In addition to highlighting the main subject of pictures and identifying landmarks and objects, Google Lens allows its users to find similar images. You can also copy and translate text via Google Lens!

Conclusion

The Visual Lookup feature can be of great help in identifying objects in your images. Any issue within this feature can be due to the incompatibility of your device, an unstable network connection, or an outdated iOS.

To fix Visual Lookup not working on iPhone, you can opt for any of the fixes mentioned in this guide, such as restarting your iPhone or updating your device. Moreover, ensure your images are compatible for this feature to work.

This brings us to the end of our guide on how to fix Visual Lookup not working on iPhone. We sincerely hope you were able to recognize the root cause of this issue and were able to fix it by any of the methods mentioned above. If there are still any queries or doubts regarding this issue, feel free to reach out to us through the comment section.

If this guide helped you, please share it. 😊

Author

  • Aimen Choudhry

    Aimen Choudhry is an architecture student who has always been fascinated by science. She now finds her therapy researching and writing about the latest technology and the issues that come alongside. Otherwise, you’ll find her playing video games, listening to music, or watching fantasy/sci-fi movies.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *