La augmented reality (AR) has evolved enormously in recent times, bringing increasingly realistic and surprising experiences to smartphone users. One of the star and most popular features that has driven its popularity was Pokémon GoSince then, AR has been integrated into many other applications, and Google has been one of the pioneering companies in allowing users to place 3D animals and interactive objects in their own environment, simply by using their mobile phone.
Nowadays, thanks to a few simple steps, you can watch a tiger, a shark, a dinosaur, or even fictional characters like Baby Yoda come to life in your living room, on your terrace, or wherever you choose. And the best part is, it's not just a fun feature: it can be educational, entertaining, and amaze both adults and children alike.
What is Augmented Reality and how does it transform your environment?
La augmented reality It involves superimposing digital elements—whether 3D models, images, information, or animations—over the real world using your mobile device's camera. This radically transforms the way we interact with digital information and objects. Instead of seeing them solely on a screen, we see them fused with our surroundings, adding a new dimension to the experience.
The most well-known example, as mentioned, is the display of Pokémon in everyday places, but technology has advanced to the point where you can, for example, see a life-size lion in your bedroom, observe a human skeleton in detail, or discover how a piece of furniture would look in your living room before purchasing it.
Many tech brands have taken steps in this direction, adding AR experiences to their cameras and apps, but Google has democratized access by making it available to millions of users through its search engine.
What do you need to see Google 3D Animals on Android?
Before you begin, it's critical to ensure your device meets certain requirements for the experience to work properly. The key here is compatibility with Google Play services for AR, formerly known as ARCore.
Most modern Android devices are already supported, but it's always a good idea to check. To do so, you can check the Official list of devices compatible with Google's ARCoreThe most common brands and models include Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, LG, Nokia, Sony, Vivo, and many more. Some recent mid-range and low-end models can even run these experiences.
- Android 7.0 (Nougat) or higher.
- AR-compatible processor and gyroscope.
- Application Google Play services for AR installed and updated. You can download it from Google Play.
- If the app is disabled, enable it from Settings > Apps > All apps > AR Services > Enable.
If you have an iPhone, you can also enjoy Google AR from iPhone 6S onwards, although the steps may vary slightly depending on the interface.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to View 3D Animals and Objects in Augmented Reality with Google
- Open the Google app or your Chrome browser on your Android phone.
- Find the animal or object you want to bring into your space. For example, write "tiger," "giant panda," or "T-Rex." If you're unsure about the term, add the word "animal" to force the option (e.g., "animal lion").
- Among the first results, you'll see a tab with information, images, and the 3D model. Click the button. View in 3D.
- Then select Worm in your spaceThis will open the camera and allow you to place the model in your real-life environment.
- Move the mobile pointing at the ground and surroundings so that the mobile detects the surface and positions the model in real scale.
- Interact: You can zoom in, out, rotate, and reposition the 3D object using the usual gestures (pinch to zoom, drag to move, rotate with two fingers).
- Tap the animal or character to bring up additional options: switch between AR mode and 3D-only mode, take photos (which will be saved to your gallery), share on social media, and more.
- If you want to record video, use Android's screen recording feature or a third-party app, as Google's interface currently only allows you to take photos.
Animals, dinosaurs, and characters you can see in 3D with Google
The list of models animals and creatures that you can see in 3D with Google is increasingly extensive and is usually updated periodically. Here is a complete and updated list of species and figures that you can search for to enjoy augmented reality:
Land animals and mammals
- Tigre
- giant panda
- Leopard
- Goat
- cheetah
- Pony
- Grizzly
- grey Wolf
- Pony Shetland
- Piton
- Arabian horse
- Raccoon
- Sea Urchin
- Red deer
- Coyote
- Donkey
- cheetah
- Hippo
- Hamster
- Koala
- Lion
- Milk cow
- Ox
- Red panda
- Horse
- Kangaroo
- Red panda
Pets and domestic animals
- Pomeranian
- golden retriever
- Labrador
- Rottweiler
- French bulldog
- Pug
- Pug
- Cat
- Black cat
- Persian cat
- short haired cat
- sphynx cat
Birds
- Eagle
- Macaw
- Emperor penguin
- Duck
- Macaw
Underwater and wetland animals
- Real duck
- Alligator
- White shark
- Octopus
- Snuff
- Sea turtle
- angler fish
Dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Velociraptor
- Triceratops
- Spinosaurus
- Stegosaurus
- brachiosaurus
- Ankylosaurus
- Dilophosaurus
- Pteranodon
- Parasaurolophus
Insects that you can view in 3D
- Rhinoceros beetle
- Hercules Beetle
- Atlas beetle
- stag beetle
- Miyama stag beetle
- shiny ball beetle
- jewel beetle
- robust cicada
- brown cicada
- periodic cicada
- walker's cicada
- evening cicada
- Mantis
- Grasshopper
- giant deer
- Mariquita
- Firefly
- rosailia batesi
- swallowtail butterfly
- morpho butterfly
- atlas moth
- Hornet
Other popular creatures and characters
- Baby Yoda (Grogu) from The Mandalorians
- Easter Bunny
Other objects and elements that you can see in 3D from Google
Google's augmented reality feature is not limited to from?Over time, a multitude of educational and scientific resources, as well as cultural and space objects, have been added thanks to collaborations with institutions like NASA. Some notable examples include:
Human anatomy in 3D
- Digestive System
- Respiratory system
- Endocrine system
- Female and male reproductive system
- Nervous system and peripheral nervous system
- Lymphatic system
- Integumentary system
- Excretory system
- Urinary system
- Skeletal system
- Muscular system
- Circulatory system
Cell structures and scientific terms
- Mitochondria
- Animal cell and plant cell
- Cellular membrane
- Golgi apparatus
- Endoplasmic reticulum (smooth and rough)
- nucleolus
- Flagellum
- Plasmids
- Central vacuole
- chromatin
- Ribosome
- Nuclear membrane
- Cellular wall
- Cisterns
Other science terms
- Functional group (chemistry)
- Chemical compounds: methyl acetate, propanol, salicylic acid, hydrocarbons, ethylene
- Type of bonds: covalent, ionic, chemical
- Solenoid (physics)
- Monocots and dicots (plant biology)
- Various types of cells and blood cells
Astronomical elements and cultural objects
- Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
- Moons: Luna, Phobos, Deimos, Europa, Callisto, Ganymede, Titan, Mimas, Tethys, Iapetus, Hyperion, Umbriel, Titania, Oberon, Ariel, Triton
- NASA objects
- Apollo 11 Command Module
- Neil Armstrong
Cultural elements and historical sites
- Chichén Itzá
- Brandenburg Gate
- Thomas Jefferson Monument
- India Gate
- Chauvet Cave
- Ahu Nau Nau
Frequently asked questions and advanced tips to get the most out of it
- What do I do if I don’t see the “View in 3D” option? Make sure your phone is compatible and that you have the Google Play Services app for AR enabled and updated.
- Not detecting the surface well? Try to aim at a bright, even ground with good lighting. Move away from objects that might confuse the camera.
- Can I record videos? Using an Android screen recording app. Google only allows taking photos from within the feature.
- What if the animal comes out too big or too small? Pinch the screen to adjust the size as you prefer.
- Can I share the images? Yes, after taking the photo, the sharing option is immediately available, ideal for social media.
- Can I use it with children or for educational purposes? This feature is widely used in learning environments, as it brings science and biology closer to all audiences in a visual and interactive way.
AR-compatible Android devices and recommendations
Google is continually expanding its list of augmented reality-compatible phones, ranging from the most powerful models to mid-range and low-end models. Some recurring brands and models include:
- LG G Pad 5, LG V60 ThinQ
- Motorola Moto G7, G8, G Stylus, One Hyper, One Macro
- Nokia 6.2, 7.2
- Oppo F15, Find X2, Reno3 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite, Note10, A70s, A71, M21, M31, Z Flip, XCover Pro
- Sharp AQUOS sense3, Sony Xperia 1 Professional Edition
- Vivo Nex 3, Xiaomi Redmi Note 8/8 Pro/8T
For the complete and updated list, visit the ARCore official website.
Other apps and alternatives to view 3D animals on Android
In addition to the native Google function, there are other AR applications on Google Play that allow you to view 3D animals in different ways, some with very large collections or extra functions such as controlling the animation or size from a bar.
- AR 3D Animals: allows you to select over 39 animals and 48 fish, placing them in your environment and moving, rotating, or resizing them. It's very fun and offers surprises for friends and family.
Google's augmented reality and 3D animals offer an innovative, educational, and entertaining way to interact with the digital world. Now that you know what you need, how to activate it, and all the possibilities available to you, all that's left is for you to experiment and share your creations on social media. Have you ever brought a tiger into your living room or seen a dinosaur in your garden? Tell us about your experience and have fun exploring all the possibilities offered by AR on Android.