Control smart home devices using Google Home
You can control over 30,000 smart home devices including TVs, remote controls, lights, appliances, plugs, thermostats, and more using your Google Nest or Google Home speaker or display. If you haven’t already, set up your smart home devices by following the steps provided by the device maker.
Control devices using voice commands
Explore the Google Assistant actions you can use to control things around your home with just your voice. Here are some examples:
Control entertainment devices
To do this: |
Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then.. |
Turn on set top box |
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Change volume |
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Play, pause, fast forward, rewind a show |
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Play a specific channel |
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Search and play content |
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Launch a channel |
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Control your speakers & A/V receivers |
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Play a game on Xbox |
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To do this: | Say "Ok Google" or “Hey Google," then... |
To turn on/off a light | "Turn on <light name>" |
Dim a light | "Dim the <light name>" |
Brighten a light | "Brighten the <light name>" |
Set a light brightness to a certain percentage | "Set <light name> to 50%" |
Dim/Brighten lights by a certain percentage | Dim/Brighten <light name> by 50%" |
Change the color of a light | "Turn <light name> green" |
Turn all lights in room on or off | “Turn on or off lights in <room name>" |
Turn all lights on or off | “Turn on or off all of the lights” |
To do this: | Say "Ok Google" or “Hey Google," then... |
To adjust the temperature |
“Make it warmer” “Lower the temp” “Raise temp 2 degrees” "Set the temperature to 72" |
To switch heating or cooling modes |
“Turn on the cooling” “Set the thermostat to heating" “Turn thermostat to heat-cool mode” |
To do this: | Say "Ok Google" or “Hey Google," then... |
Turn plugs on or off | “Turn on or off the [plug name]" |
Turn switch on or off | “Turn on or off the [switch name]” |
Control home security
To do this: | Say "Ok Google" or Hey Google," then.. |
Start stream |
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Stop stream | "Stop [TV/Chromecast device name]" |
Here's how to stream and control security cameras.
Note: You can’t disarm using voice commands.
Control appliances
You can control smart appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, vacuums and more. Explore all the Google Assistant partners you can use to control things around your home with just your voice.
To do this: | Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then.. |
Start vacuum |
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Stop vacuum |
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Control devices through the Google Home app
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap your device.
- Use the device card to control your device.
Control and schedule multiple devices through Routines
Use a Routine to control multiple devices with one voice command or to schedule your devices to work at specific times and days of the week. Learn how to set up and schedule a Routine.
Add your device to a new or existing room
Add your device to an existing room
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap your device
Settings
Room
choose a room
tap Save.
Add your device to a new room
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap your device
Settings
Room
scroll to the bottom and tap Add a custom room
enter the room name
tap Save.
Fix a problem
Check these things first
- Is your speaker or display plugged into a wall outlet and powered on?
- Are your speaker or display and other smart devices set up on the same Wi-Fi network?
- Are you using the same Google account on your mobile device and in the Google Home app?
- Open the Google Home app
.
- At the top right, tap your account.
- Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your Google Home or Google Nest device. To switch accounts, tap another account or Add another account.
- Open the Google Home app
If you either a) added a new device in the partner app or b) updated or changed an existing device in the partner app and don't see it listed in the Home control setting of the Google Home app, try syncing the smart home control device and your speaker or display.
Sync your devices in the Google Home app
- Open the Google Home app
.
- tap Settings
.
- Scroll down to "Google Assistant services," then tap More Settings.
- Tap Services
Home control.
- Swipe down with your finger on the screen.
- You will see a spinning circle. The sync is complete when the circle disappears.
- Check for your device in the Home control list.
Sync your devices with your voice
To do this... | Say "Hey Google" or "Ok Google," then... |
Sync all devices | "Sync my devices" |
Sync a device type | "Sync my lights" |
Important:
- You must have already set up your devices in the partner app (Step 1 above).
- If you're syncing multiple devices at once, you may receive a timeout error.
To try fixing the issue, rename your device.
- Open the Google Home app
.
- Tap your device
Settings
Name.
- Enter a new name for your device
tap Save.
Tips for renaming your device:
- Don’t include numbers, special characters, or room names.
- If you’re naming lights connected to plugs or switches, add "plug" or "switch" to the nickname.
- Avoid similar names (for example, "Table light left" and "Table light right").