Set up Hub Mode on your Pixel Tablet

Your Pixel Tablet comes with a Charging Speaker Dock. When your tablet is attached to the dock and locked, it's in Hub Mode.

How to set up Hub Mode on your Pixel Tablet

What is Hub Mode?

In Hub Mode, you can get some of the best features of a smart display when your tablet is locked and docked, like a digital photo frame, smart home controls, Chromecast built-in, and hands-free help from Google Assistant. Just say "Hey Google" to play music and videos, get answers, turn the lights on, set timers, and more.

Tip: For full Hub Mode functionality, unplug the USB-C cable from your Pixel Tablet's USB port.

Dock and undock your Pixel Tablet

Your Pixel Tablet attaches magnetically to the Charging Speaker Dock. When it's docked, it charges automatically. Learn how to dock and undock your tablet below.

Dock your Pixel Tablet

Your tablet attaches magnetically to the charging dock. To dock your tablet:

1. Place the dock on a flat surface and plug it into a power outlet.
2. Grasp the Pixel Tablet and position it so that the camera is on top.
3. Line up the back of the tablet with the front of the dock so the connectors align.
4. Move the tablet slowly back towards the dock until it attaches.

Dock your Pixel Tablet in the Pixel Tablet Case

To dock your Pixel Tablet when it's in the Pixel Tablet Case (sold separately):

1. Hold your Pixel Tablet so that the front camera is on top and facing you.
2. Ensure the kickstand is folded flat against the back of the case. The logo and pogo pins should be inside the kickstand's ring when it's in the correct position.
3. Position the tablet so that the kickstand ring lines up with the dock face.
4. Move the tablet slowly back towards the dock until it attaches.

Remove your Pixel Tablet from the dock

To undock your tablet, grasp it and pivot it up until it detaches.

Unlock your Pixel Tablet

To unlock your tablet, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. If you set up Fingerprint Unlock, place your finger lightly on your tablet's power button until it unlocks.

Set up Hub Mode and Google Assistant

If your Pixel Tablet is docked when you set it up, you'll get prompted to set up Hub Mode when setup is complete. If your tablet is undocked when you set it up, you'll get prompted to set up Hub Mode the first time you attach it to the dock.

Learn how to set up Google Assistant on your Pixel Tablet.

Step 1: Dock your tablet and start Hub Mode setup

To dock your tablet and start Hub Mode setup:

1. Set up your tablet.
2. If your tablet isn't docked, dock it now.
3. On the "Set up Hub Mode" screen, tap Continue.
4. If prompted, enter your PIN, pattern or password.

Step 2: Choose your screen saver

You can choose what gets displayed on your tablet's screen when it's docked. To change settings for the screen saver you choose, tap Customize. You can change your screen saver at any time after you set up Hub Mode. Learn more about screen savers on your Pixel Tablet.

Step 3: Choose an account to use with Hub Mode

You can choose the primary account you want to use with Hub Mode. This account is used with the Google Home app to control devices and services, and can be used with Voice Match to get personalized results from Google Assistant.

1. Tap the account you want to use.
   • If your account isn't listed, tap Use another account follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Tap OK.

Step 4: Add your docked tablet to a room in your home

1. Tap the Home where your Pixel Tablet is located.
   • If your Home isn't listed, tap Add another home follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Tap Next.
3. Select the location where your dock is placed tap Next.

 

Before you can access all media and home control features after setting up Hub Mode, you need to add your Pixel Tablet to your home in the Google Home app .

 

Step 5 (optional): Share device statistics and reports with Google

Choose whether or not you want to share device statistics and crash reports with Google.

Step 6 (optional): Select music and video services

Set up the music and video services you want to use with Google Assistant. For both music and video, you can also select a default service, which will be used if you don't mention one in your voice command.

1. To choose a default music service, select it tap Next.
2. To choose a default video service, select it tap Next.

When your Pixel Tablet is locked in Hub Mode, you need to unlock the tablet before you can use Google Assistant voice commands to play news, radio, podcasts, or other media from certain apps and services.

Step 7 (optional): Let anyone talk to Assistant in Hub Mode

You can let anyone, including children, say "Hey Google" to speak to Google Assistant and play music, ask questions, control smart home devices, and more:

1. Toggle this option to let music, movies and more play when the tablet is locked. This toggle won't appear if you already chose this setting when you first set up your tablet.
2. To let anyone talk to Assistant in Hub Mode, tap I agree.

Learn more about talking to Google Assistant in Hub Mode.

Step 8: Finish Hub Mode setup

1. Optional: Select any services you haven't set up and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. When you're ready to start using Hub Mode, tap Done.

Learn more about Hub Mode settings you can set up and change.

Show or hide notifications or media on your lock screen

1. Open your device's Settings app .
2. Tap Security & privacy More privacy settings tap an option:
   • To show or hide notifications on your lock screen, tap Notifications on lock screen.
   • To show or hide the media player on your lock screen, tap Show media on lock screen.

Related articles

• Set up Google Assistant on your Pixel Tablet
• Use Google Assistant in Hub Mode
• Set up your Pixel Tablet in the Google Home app