Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
How can Google Assistant control my smart home?
Whether you've got an iPhone, an Android phone or the recently-released Google Home, Google Assistant offers a hands-free solution for automating your smart home.
{"menuItems":[{"label":"What is Google Assistant?","anchorName":"#what-is-google-assistant"},{"label":"How can Google Assistant control my smart home?","anchorName":"#how-can-google-assistant-control-my-smart-home"},{"label":"What smart devices does Google Assistant work with?","anchorName":"#what-smart-devices-does-google-assistant-work-with"}]}
What is Google Assistant?
Google Assistant is a voice-activated virtual assistant developed by Google as part of its expansion into hands-free technology. Launched alongside the Google Home smart speaker, Google Assistant listens for the activation phrase "Okay Google" before responding to your questions and commands in a conversational manner.
Because it requires a constant Internet connection, Google Assistant is able to look up answers to your questions online, interface with your various Google accounts and control other smart devices located on the same Wi-Fi network. You can ask Google Assistant to read you traffic reports, manage your calendar appointments and even control your TV with the power of your voice alone.
While Google Assistant was originally exclusive to Google Home and the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, it is now available on a range of other devices including Android phones running the Android Marshmallow or Android Nougat operating systems, Android Wear 2.0 devices and iOS devices through the standalone Google Home app.
How can Google Assistant control my smart home?
Whether it's on your smartphone or your Google Home smart speaker, Google Assistant can be used to control a wide range of compatible smart home devices through simple voice commands. By opening up the Google Home app on your phone, navigating to the "Home control" settings page and tapping "Add" on the devices tab, you'll be able to see all compatible smart home devices currently installed on your home Wi-Fi network. Connecting them with Google Assistant is as straightforward as tapping the name of the device and completing the setup steps that follow.
Once you've connected your smart devices to the Google Home app, you can give them unique nicknames to simplify your voice commands. For example, you could rename the light in your living room to "main light", and a quick "Okay Google, turn off the main light" would ready your living room for your late-night movie marathon.
For even finer control of your smart home, Google Assistant supports "Rooms" for the grouping of multiple devices. By creating a "Room" for your kitchen and adding the different lights and lamps located there, you could turn them all on with a single command of "Okay Google, turn on the lights in the kitchen".
If you're looking for more complexity in your home automation, Google Assistant is compatible with custom voice commands created through the IFTTT (If this, then that) automation platform. IFTTT lets you create Applets, which are essentially groups of instructions triggered by a single command. You could, for instance, create an Applet that starts your coffee maker, cranks up your thermostat and turns on your TV when you tell Google Assistant "It's time for breakfast". To access Applets through Google Assistant, you'll need to connect IFTTT to your Google Account either through the IFTTT website or the IFTTT mobile app.
Buy Google Home from The Good Guys
Control your home with your voice using the powerful Google Home speaker.
What smart devices does Google Assistant work with?
Google Assistant can control a variety of smart lights, power outlets, thermostats, entertainment systems and other Wi-Fi-enabled home electronics products. Some of the most popular product lines include:
Matt Sayer is a technology writer and editorial engineer for Finder, combining industry expertise with data-driven solutions to help people make better decisions. His extensive portfolio spans investigative reporting on the roll-out of 5G, statistical analysis on the legacy of E3 and guides for popular products like mobile phones and smart speakers. Matt has a Bachelor of Computer Science from RMIT University and is passionate about finding ways that technology can better our lives.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
