Control smart devices with your Android phone or tablet

You can quickly add controls for compatible smart home devices like thermostats, lights, locks, and cameras from your Android phone or tablet. Turn devices on or off and change some of their settings without opening an app.

Home controls and the home panel work with compatible smart home devices that you connect and can control in the Google Home app .

• Home controls are only available on phones with Android 11 or higher.
• The home panel is only available on devices with Android 14 or higher.
• Hub Mode is only available on Pixel Tablets attached to a Charging Speaker Dock.
• Before you control smart devices in home controls, the home panel, or the Google Home app, make sure you check and update your mobile device’s Android version.

Set up home controls or the home panel

Home controls (Android 11 or higher)

If you haven't already, use your phone or tablet to set up your smart devices in the Google Home app. Compatible devices will be added automatically to home controls.

Home panel (Android 14 or higher)

Compatible devices you add to your favorites in the Google Home app will be added to the home panel. Learn more about the Google Home app. 

To set up how you access your home panel on your lock screen:

1. Open your device's Settings app .
2. Tap Display & touch Lock screen tap an option.
   • Use device controls: Turn this on to control your devices without unlocking your screen. Note: Some devices can't be controlled when your device is locked.

Tip: The first time you open home controls or the home panel on your phone or tablet, compatible devices you add to your favorites in the Google Home app will be added to the home panel automatically. With the Pixel Tablet, set up Hub Mode to view live cameras and allow everyone at home to control devices when your tablet is locked and docked. You still need to unlock your tablet to control sensitive devices and change settings.

Control connected devices

Home controls (Android 11 or higher)

If your mobile device doesn’t have the home panel, hold the power button to access device controls. To add more devices, go to the home controls screen and tap More Add controls.

Home panel (Android 14 or higher)

Pixel devices with Android 14 or higher have the home panel.

To control the devices and automations in your Google Home Favorites list, tap the Home icon  on your device's lock screen. You can also swipe down to open Quick Settings tap Home.

On the home controls screen or the home panel, you can:

• Turn devices on or off
• Change brightness for lights
• Change thermostat temperature
• Get live videos from cameras
• Pause music or videos
• Control smart locks

Note: You can only control locks that can be unlocked with the Google Home app . You also need to unlock your phone or tablet to access sensitive controls like cameras and locks. On a Pixel Tablet in Hub Mode, anyone in your home can view cameras or access camera controls.

Choose which devices appear in home controls or the home panel

Home controls (Android 11 or higher)

1. Press and hold the Power button on your phone or tablet.
2. Above the controls on the right, tap More Edit controls.
3. To remove a device, tap the checkbox next to the device name. To rearrange a device, drag the device name.
4. Tap Save.

Home panel (Android 14 or higher)

1. Wake your phone or tablet to display the lock screen.
   • Tip: You can press the Power button, tap the screen, or lift the device.
2. Swipe down to open Quick Settings tap Home, or tap the Home icon  on the lock screen.
3. Scroll down to the "Edit" and "Reorder" buttons.
   • To remove a device, tap Edit unlock your device if needed tap the checkbox next to the device name.
   • To rearrange devices, tap Reorder unlock your device if needed tap and hold a device tile drag it to the desired location.
     • Tip: If you edit or reorder devices here, they'll also be updated on the favorites tab in Google Home app , and vice versa.
4. Tap Save.

Use the Home Controls screen saver (Android 15 or higher)

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 15 and up. Learn how to update your Android version.

The Home Controls screen saver lets you use your phone or tablet as an always on smart home controller while it’s locked and charging.

 

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap Display & touch Screen saver.
3. Turn on Use screen saver.
4. Scroll down and tap Home Controls.

Choose when your screen saver starts

You can change when your screen saver starts on your phone or tablet:

1. Open your device’s Settings app .
2. Tap Display & touch Screen saver When to start.
   • Tap “While charging” to have access to home controls without docking your device.
   • Tap “While docked and charging” to only turn on the Home Controls screen saver when docked.

 Related resources:

• Control smart home devices with the home panel on your Pixel Tablet