Control smart home devices using speakers and displays

You can control over 50,000 smart home devices including TVs, remote controls, lights, appliances, plugs, thermostats, and more using your Google Nest or Google Home speaker or display. To get started, you’ll first need to set up your device in the Google Home app.

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

You can control TVs to play shows or specific channels, request songs on your speakers, change the volume, 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:

Turn on set top box

“Turn on [set top box name]”

Change volume

"Volume up on [set top box name]"
"Volume down by 5 on [set top box name]"

Play, pause, fast forward, rewind a show

“Play [show]”
“Pause [show]”

Play a specific channel

“Play [channel] on TV”
“Change channel to [x]”

Search and play content

“Search for [x] movies”
“Play [x] album or artist etc”

Launch a channel

“Turn on [show] on Netflix on TV”

Control your speakers and AV receivers

“Play [song] on my speaker”
Play a game on Xbox

"Play [Game] on Xbox"

Control lights

You can adjust brightness and turn on or turn off lights 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:
To turn on or turn off a light "Turn on or off <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 or brighten lights by a certain percentage "Dim <light name> by 50%"
"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”

Control thermostats
You can control thermostats 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:
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”
Control smart plugs and switches
You can control appliances around the house with smart plugs and switches. 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:
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 

You can control cameras and home security systems 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 stream

"Show [camera name]"
"What’s on [camera name]?"
"[Camera name] on [Chromecast device name]"
"Play [camera name] on [Chromecast device name]"
"Show [camera name] on [Chromecast device name]"
Stop stream "Stop [TV or 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

"Start the [vacuum name]"
"Start vacuuming"
"Is the [vacuum name] running?"
Stop vacuum

"Stop the [vacuum name]"
"Stop vacuuming"

Control devices through the Google Home app

After you set up your device in the Google Home app, you’ll also be able to control it from your phone.

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your device.
  3. 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

Speakers

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your device and then Settings Settings and then Room and then choose a room and then tap Save. 

Displays

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your device and then Settings Settings and then Device information and then Placement and then choose where your device is located and then tap Save. 

Add your device to a new room

Speakers

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your device and then Settings Settings and then Room and then scroll to the bottom and tap Add a custom room and then enter the room name and then tap Save.

Displays

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your device and then Settings Settings and then Placement and then scroll to the bottom and tap Add a custom room and then enter the room name and then tap Save.

Fix a problem

Check these things first

  1. Is your speaker or display plugged into a wall outlet and powered on?
  2. Are your speaker or display and other smart devices set up on the same Wi-Fi network?
  3. Are you using the same Google account on your mobile device and in the Google Home app?
    1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
    2. At the top right, tap your account.
    3. Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your speaker or display. To switch accounts, tap another account or Add another account.
  4. Are you in the same room as your speaker or display?
I can't find my device in the Home control settings of the Google Home app

If you either added a new device in the partner app or updated or changed an existing device in the partner app and can no longer find it 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

  1.  Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. At the top right, tap your account.
  3. Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your speaker or display. To switch accounts, tap another account or Add another account.
  4. Tap Assistant settings  Home control.
  5. Swipe down with your finger on the screen.
  6. There will be a spinning circle. The sync is complete when the circle disappears.
  7. 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.
  • If you're syncing multiple devices at once, you may receive a timeout error.
Google Assistant can’t control device

To try to fix the issue, rename your device.

  1. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  2. Tap your device and then Settings Settings and then Name.
  3. Enter a new name for your device and then 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").

Related article 

Supported Home control partners

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