Public Preview gives you early access to the latest Google Home app features before they're made broadly available. Participants can try new features and give feedback so that Google can continue to make improvements before the features are released to everyone.
Once you join, you can access Public Preview features that are available for the following:
- Google Home app for Android devices and iPhones and iPads
- Google Home for web
- Google Home for Wear OS
Join Public Preview in the mobile Google Home app or at home.google.com:
- Open the Google Home app tap Settings Public Preview Join Public Preview
- Go to home.google.com sign in select Public Preview Join Public Preview
You'll get a message with information about Public Preview and when you can start to use new features. It also gives you the option to leave Public Preview.
Once you've successfully joined Public Preview, the Preview icon will appear onscreen in the mobile app and Google Home for web. You might also get occasional reminder notifications when you open the Google Home app.
To ensure you can be added to the Public Preview program, confirm your Google Groups settings:
- Sign into Google Groups.
- Tap Settings Global settings.
- Confirm "Add me to their groups" is checked tap Save.
Share feedback
To let us know how well Public Preview features work, submit your feedback.
- In the Google Home app , tap Public Preview Share feedback.
- Let us know your level of satisfaction tap Next Submit.
How to leave Public Preview
If you leave Public Preview, you lose access to all Public Preview features in the mobile app, Google Home for web, and Google Home for Wear OS.
You can leave Public Preview in the mobile Google Home app or at home.google.com:
- Open the Google Home app tap Public Preview Leave Public Preview
- Go to home.google.com sign in select Public Preview Leave Public Preview
Features currently in Public Preview
The number of features available through Public Preview will vary over time. When you join Public Preview, you might not get updated features right away. You'll get new features once they're ready for you to use.
Home panel on Google TV
The home panel lets you view, manage, and make adjustments to the devices synced with the Google Home app directly from your Google TV. You can turn on your lights, start an automation, or check the doorbell live stream to see if a package was delivered all while watching your favorite movie or YouTube channel.
Learn how to control smart home devices on your Google TV.
Nest doorbell notifications on Pixel Tablet
Pixel Tablet can now help anyone in your home check who’s at the front door. When someone rings your Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen), formerly known as Nest Hello, and your tablet is in Hub Mode, you can easily view who’s at the door with a proactive, full screen notification, and speak to them through your doorbell or answer quickly with Quick Responses.
When your tablet’s not in Hub Mode, you’ll get a push notification letting you know someone is at your door. Check your doorbell’s camera stream at any time in the home panel.
Learn how to use doorbell notifications on Pixel Tablet.
Script editor
The script editor is currently available in Public Preview on Google Home for web and in the Google Home mobile app. With the script editor, you can create and edit your own scripted automations using additional starters, conditions, actions, and logic. You'll also be able to use presence sensing to create more custom automations than are currently available with Home & Away Routines. You can access the script editor on Google Home for web now at home.google.com/automations.
Mobile Home app features
Most Home app features for Android and iOS phones and tablets are available to everyone. The following additional features are also available in the mobile Google Home app when you join Public Preview.
Migrate Nest App Cameras to the Google Home App
Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor, and Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen), formerly known as Nest Hello owners can add their cameras to the Home app. If you're eligible, the app will let you know. Learn more about device migration.
View live streams for Works with Google Home cameras
You can view compatible Works with Google Home camera live streams in the Google Home app. This feature is still under development and isn't available for all cameras. To try this out with an eligible camera:
Link a camera
- Open the Google Home app .
- Tap Devices Add Works with Google Home .
- Choose your camera manufacturer from the list and link your account to finish setup.
View live stream
- Open the Google Home app .
- Tap Favorites or Devices . the camera you want to view.
Favorites widget
The Favorites widget is currently available in Public Preview for Android devices running Android 12 or later. This customizable widget allows you to have even quicker access to your compatible smart home devices on your Home screen.
Learn how to use the Favorites widget.
Wear OS features
All Home app features for Wear OS are currently available to everyone. New Wear OS features will come to Public Preview in the future.
Known Issues
- Camera or doorbell migration from the Nest app to the Home app might freeze or fail. If you can't complete device migration after a second try, Contact Us for assistance.
- When the Owner of a Nest App home migrates a camera to the Home app, other home members lose full access to the camera in the Nest App. To access the camera controller in the Home app, other home members must join Public Preview. Learn more about device migration.