Pause the internet on demand or on a schedule

With Wi-Fi pause, you can pause the internet for a group of devices or for specific devices. You can also set a schedule ahead of time for regular routines like when you get ready for bed or distraction-free homework time. In order to use Wi-Fi pause, you will first need to set up a Family Wi-Fi group.

Pause and resume a group

Before you begin, you'll need to first create Family Wi-Fi groups.

With the Google Home app

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi.
3. Under your group name, tap Pause or Unpause. You might need to swipe left to find more groups.

With Google Assistant

You can pause and unpause groups, with your voice. Say “Hey Google,” then:

• "Pause Wi-Fi for [Family Wi-Fi group name]."
• "Unpause Wi-Fi for [Family Wi-Fi group name]."

Available when you use your Google Nest Wifi or Google Wifi in the Home app. Learn more about how to set up Voice Match and control your devices by voice.

Pause and resume a specific device

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Devices.
3. Tap the device you want to pause  Pause device. To resume, tap Paused.

Create a scheduled pause

You can automatically pause the internet for everyday events like your kids’ bedtime or family dinners. Just create a schedule, select the groups to apply the schedule to, and the devices you choose will go offline and come back online according to your schedule.

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi  Add   Schedule .
3. Give your schedule a name.
4. Select a group  tap Next.
5. Select a start time, end time, and on which days you would like the scheduled pause to happen.
6. Tap Done.

Edit a scheduled pause

You can edit the name, scheduled times, and groups associated with the schedule.

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi  your schedule.
3. Edit your schedule and tap Done.

View upcoming schedules

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi.

Delay active or upcoming schedules

Things don't always go as planned, so you might want to postpone an upcoming scheduled pause.

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi.
3. Next to the schedule you’d like to delay, tap More   Delay 30 min.

Skip an upcoming schedule

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi.
3. Next to the schedule you’d like to delay, tap More   Skip.

End active schedules early

You can end an active schedule before its scheduled end time. Once you have ended an active schedule, Wi-Fi will resume for your group’s devices. The schedule will reoccur at its next scheduled time.

1. Open the Google Home app .
2. Tap Favorites   Wifi   Family Wi-Fi.
3. Next to the schedule you’d like to delay, tap More   End schedule.

Reconnect a paused device

If you accidentally pause the device that you use to access the Google Home app, below are a few ways to get your device back online:

• If you’re on a device with a data plan, turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi and use your data to access the Google Home app. Then reopen the app and resume your device.
• If you have access to another device with the Google Home app installed, resume your device from there.
• Tether a Wi-Fi connection from a phone or hotspot in your house and connect your device to it. Then reopen the app to resume your device.
• Find another location with available Wi-Fi to connect and resume your device.