What Android phones support ‘view in your space’ for Google 3D animals [Updated]

Two key parts make up the life-sized creatures that appear in Google Search. The first lets you see animals in 3D, while the second — and most delightful — is viewing them in your current space with the ability to take pictures. Here’s what iOS and Android devices support Google 3D animals.

Most modern Android and iOS devices support viewing 3D animals in Google Search. This is the simple ability to “meet a life-sized tiger up close.” Your creature of choice will be displayed against a white background, and move naturally with sounds. You can fully rotate and zoom-in as they roar or eat a bamboo stalk — in the case of giant pandas.

However, what makes augmented reality really immersive is the “sense of scale and detail” gained by seeing an animal in your environment. This is done with the “View in your space” button at the bottom of the screen. Unlike the first gallery feature, there are a few technical requirements for AR and seeing a creature next to the couch or in your backyard.

How it works

Behind-the-scenes, these augmented 3D animal experiences require the support of Google’s ARCore technology. Phones and tablets have to pass a certification process to ensure that the “sensitive motion tracking” — achieved by combining a camera image and the motion sensor — works well. Also required is a “powerful enough CPU” that can run “effective real-time calculations.”

We are constantly working with manufacturers to make sure their hardware and designs meet these requirements. At the same time, we are working internally to make sure ARCore integrates well with every model we certify to provide good experiences for users.

Meanwhile, an even more advanced AR capability involves ARCore phones detecting depth. A circular button in the top-right corner lets you turn on/off “object blending” so that a 3D animal can appear behind a piece of furniture instead of just physically standing in front of the scene. Google is recognizing that the background is three-dimensional with depth and not just a flat surface. For an example, be sure to compare the GIFs available here.

‘View in your space’ troubleshooting

Below is the full list of ARCore devices, but a good shortcut to know whether your phone or tablet will support the full Google 3D animal experience is seeing whether the Google Play Services for AR app is installed on your phone. Visit the Play Store listing to check and make sure it’s up-to-date (currently version 1.16).

Update 4/6: There are 14 new additions: Nokia 6.2, Nokia 7.2, moto g⁸, Oppo F15, Oppo Find X2, Oppo Find X2 Pro, Oppo Reno3 Pro, Samsung Galaxy M21, Galaxy M31, Sharp AQUOS sense3 basic, Sharp S7, Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, Redmi Note 8 Pro, and Redmi Note 8T.

Update 4/14: The OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are today’s most high-profile additions. Other new devices include the Infinix Mobile Note 7, Samsung Galaxy A51, A51 5G, and A71 5G.

Update 6/3: Notable additions to the list include the Sony Xperia 1 II, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, and Moto G Power. Other additions are the LG K61, LG Signature Edition 2019, motorola edge, edge plus, Oppo realme 6, realme 6 Pro, Reno3, Reno3 5G, Reno3 Pro 5G, Samsung Galaxy A31, A41, Vivo iQOO 3 5G, Neo3 5G, Mi 10, 10 Lite 5G, 10 Pro, Poco, and Redmi K30.

Update 6/25: Alongside the launch of the ARCore Depth API, Google has added the LG V50S ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ 5G, and S20 Ultra 5G.

Update 8/20: The Pixel 4a is today’s most notable addition. Others include:

• Fujitsu F-51A
• Google Pixel 4a
• LG Q92
• LG style3
• LG Stylo 6
• LG VELVET 5G
• Motorola moto g⁸ power lite
• Motorola moto g pro
• Oppo A52
• Oppo A72
• Oppo A92
• Oppo A92s
• Oppo Reno3 A
• realme X50 Pro
• realme X50t 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A20
• Samsung Galaxy A20s
• Samsung Galaxy A30s
• Samsung Galaxy M31s
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
• Sharp AQUOS R5G
• Vivo iQOO 3 4G
• Vivo X50
• Vivo X50 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom
• Xiaomi Mi Note 10
• Xiaomi Redmi K30 Pro

List: Supported ARCore devices