Initiate and control audio of any Chromecast Audio that's plugged in, Google streaming devices or devices that works with Google Cast using only your voice.
If you enable Digital Wellbeing, Downtime, Filters or Do Not Disturb may restrict or block this feature.
Learn how to set up Digital Wellbeing.Step 1. Link speakers and TVs using the Google Home app
Link TVs to your Google Nest or Home speaker or displayLink a device
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Make sure that your mobile device or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Google device.
- At the top right, tap your profile picture or initial.
- Tap Home
All devices
, then touch and hold your device's tile.
- At the top right, tap Settings
Recognition and sharing.
- Check for a banner at the top of the page that states 'Enable voice control and more'.
- If the banner appears, tap it and follow the steps to link your TV.
- If the banner doesn't appear but your email address appears under 'Linked account(s)', your TV is already linked.
Unlink a device
Make sure that your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi or Google Account as your speaker, display, Google streaming devices or Pixel Tablet.
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap Home
All
, then touch and hold your device's tile.
- Tap Settings
Remove device.
Important: Some smart TVs and speakers may appear to support Cast technology because the functionality is similar to casting. Here are the smart TVs that support Cast technology and speakers that support Cast technology.
The following devices can play audio from your speaker or display:
- Chromecast
- Chromecast Audio
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Google TV Streamer (4K)
- TVs and speakers that work with Google Cast
- TVs and speakers that work with Google Cast and Android TVs must be using Cast version 1.22 or later. This functionality will be rolling out to most devices in the next few months. Learn how to check which firmware version you're using.
- Android TV devices
- Currently, you can't cast Spotify to Android TV devices.
Step 2. Control audio to speakers or TVs with voice commands
Here are some ways to talk with your voice assistant on your Google Nest or Home device to play content on your speakers or TV:
|
To do this: |
Say 'Ok Google' or 'Hey Google', then: |
|
Play music on a specific device by name Tip: To start, stop and control music on a remote device, and 'on [device's name]' to any of the basic voice commands. News and podcasts aren't supported. |
'Play [artist] using [music service] on [device name]' |
If you only have one linked video device, you don't have to say its name in your command. Instead, you can say 'Hey Google, ...<on TV>' or 'Hey Google, ...<on Chromecast>'.
Other ways to control audio to speakers and TVs
From the Google Home app-
Make sure that your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi or Google Account as your speaker, display, Google streaming devices or Pixel Tablet.
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap Media
and swipe to find your devices that are currently playing media.
On the Media Player, you will get the following information for the current music session:
- Content provider
- Title (song name, show episode name or radio station programme)
- Artist (if available)
- Collection (playlist, album, show series or radio station, if available)
You can also pause or resume, stop and control the remote device from the device card.
Fix problems
Need help? Try these troubleshooting steps- Make sure that you've correctly linked your devices, including:
- Make sure that the cast device is voice-supported and running Cast version 1.32 or later.
- Make sure that you've linked the devices via the Google Home app:
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap your account.
-
Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your Google device.
- If correct, tap Close
to exit the account window.
- If you need to switch accounts, tap the drop-down
another account or Add another account.
- If correct, tap Close
-
Tap Settings
Under Services
Tap Works with Google
.
- It should show a list of all your linked devices.
- Open the Google Home app
- Make sure that you've named the devices something that is clear and easy to pronounce and not similar to the name that you gave your speaker or display.
- Name your speaker or display, streaming device or device that works with Google Cast.
To ensure proper playback on your TV when you name your devices:
- Give your speaker or display, streaming device or device that works with Google Cast different names, and avoid the use of the same words in the names. This helps your speaker or display correctly understand your command and play content on the right device.
Good:
- Name your speaker or display 'Living room'
- Name your streaming device 'Family TV'
OK:
- Name your speaker or display 'Living room home'
- Name your streaming device 'Living room TV'
- Make sure that the name is easily pronounceable.
- Avoid using emoji or special characters.
To change the name of your streaming device, speaker or display:
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap Home
All devices
, then touch and hold your device's tile.
- Tap Settings
Device information
Device name.
- Delete the current name and type in a new name. Tap Save.
- If the voice commands seem to stop controlling your remote devices or you get a response that says 'Nothing is playing', be more specific with your request by adding '…on <device name>' to your request. This will re-initiate media focus and allow you to better control the device.
- If you don't get the music that you expect, be more specific with your request.
- If you get an error message like 'I can only play audio on devices using Chromecast, Google TV Streamer or on Google Cast-enabled TVs', try to rename your devices.
Related articles
- Play YouTube videos on Google Cast-enabled TVs with your speaker or display
- Restrict content on your Google smart speakers and displays
- Listen to the radio on your Google smart speaker or display
- Listen to podcasts on your Google smart speaker or display
- Control volume of Google smart speakers and displays