Socratic Solve
What happened to Socratic by Google?
Socratic launched in 2015, was acquired by Google in 2018, and became one of the most-loved homework apps ever made: photograph a question, get matched to helpful explanations. Google discontinued it as a standalone app in October 2024 and folded its scanning features into Google Lens. The dedicated app millions of students relied on is no longer available to download.
Lens is a general-purpose visual search tool, though: it identifies plants, translates menus, finds products. Homework is a feature, not the mission. Students who loved Socratic's focus have been looking for a dedicated replacement ever since.
What made Socratic great, and what an alternative needs
- Camera-first: photograph the question instead of typing it.
- All subjects: not just math, but science, history, literature.
- Explanation-focused: understanding, not just an answer.
- Student-friendly: clean, fast, no clutter.
Socratic Solve: a modern alternative built on newer AI
Socratic Solve: School Answers keeps the camera-first, all-subjects formula and upgrades the engine. Where the original Socratic found existing web explanations for a similar problem, Socratic Solve's AI generates a step-by-step solution to your exact question, with proper math notation, in your language (20+ supported).
| Socratic by Google | Socratic Solve | |
|---|---|---|
| Status in 2026 | Discontinued (merged into Lens) | Active, updated |
| Scan a question by camera | Yes | Yes, plus typed questions and photo upload |
| How answers work | Linked to existing web resources | AI generates a step-by-step solution to your exact question |
| Subjects | Math, science, history & more | Math, physics, chemistry, biology, history & more |
| Question history | Limited | Searchable history tagged by subject |
| Price | Free | Free to download with free credits; optional subscription |
Try the modern Socratic experience
Socratic Solve is free to download on iOS and Android. Scan a question and see the difference.
Switching takes about a minute
- Download Socratic Solve from the App Store (iPhone and iPad, iOS 16+) or Google Play (Android).
- Tap Scan Question. The workflow is exactly what your thumbs remember.
- Read the step-by-step solution, and find every past scan in History.
New to AI-generated solutions? The AI homework helper guide explains how they work and how to use them without shortcutting your own learning.