How to identify plants, animals and landmarks in a photo on an iPhone

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open the photo in the Photos app and look at the Info button under it. If it shows a small star, tap it, then tap the icon that appears in the photo or the Look Up line below it. The iPhone shows what the plant, animal, artwork or landmark is, with information from the web.

The feature is called Visual Look Up. It works on photos you have taken and on pictures in Messages, Mail, Notes and Safari, and it needs no extra app. It recognises plants and flowers, dog breeds and other animals, works of art and well-known buildings.

Menu names are from recent versions of iOS.

Step by step

  1. Open the photo

    In the Photos app, tap the picture to see it full screen. In Messages, Mail or Notes, touch and hold a picture and choose to open it.

  2. Look for the star on the Info button

    The Info button is the i in a circle below the photo. A small star on it means that Visual Look Up has found something in this picture.

  3. Tap the Info button

    An icon appears on the object in the photo: a leaf for a plant, a paw for an animal, a map pin for a landmark. Below the photo there is a Look Up line with the same icon.

  4. Tap the icon

    The iPhone shows the likely name, with pictures and information from Siri Knowledge and the web.

  5. In Safari

    Touch and hold a picture on a web page and choose Look Up.

  6. If there is no star

    Nothing was recognised in this photo. Try a picture in which the object is large, sharp and well lit. The feature also depends on your language and region settings.

Good to know

Visual Look Up needs iOS 15 or later and an internet connection for the results.

Treat the answer as a suggestion. Do not eat a mushroom or berry, or give a plant to a pet, on the strength of a photo match.

The same button also reads symbols, for example the laundry symbols on a clothing label and the warning lights on a car dashboard, on recent versions of iOS.

To copy writing out of a picture: how to copy text from a photo on an iPhone. On Android: how to use Google Lens on Android to search with your camera.

In short: Open the photo, Info button with a star, tap it, tap the leaf, paw or pin icon, read the result. In Safari: touch and hold, Look Up.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Look up what's in a photo with your iPhone or iPad

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