Google home page ( including Google Home Mini and Max ) not only streams music, makes phone calls, provides information, and helps you shop. It can also serve as a home lifestyle center by combining the power of a built-in Google Assistant with additional compatible products in the following categories:
- Google branded products such as Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast for Audio.
- Products from built-in Google Chromecast .
- Smart Home devices from over 150 partner companies that include more than 1000 products such as CCTV cameras, doorbells, locks, thermostats, lanterns switches, sockets / outlets and more.
How to tell what will work with Google Home
To determine if a product is compatible with Google Home, check the package label, which states:
- Chromecast or Chromecast built-in
- Works with Google Home
- Works with Google Assistant
If you cannot verify Google Home compatibility using the package label, please visit the product’s official web page or contact support for that product.
Using Google Home with Chromecast
Google Chromecast devices are media streamers, that need to be connected to TV With HDMI or a stereo/home theater receiver. Generally, you need to use your smartphone to streaming content through a Chromecast device, to see it on TV or listen to it through the audio system. However, if you link your Chromecast to Google Home, you don’t need a smartphone to control your Chromecast (although you still can).
Using Google Home with products that have a built-in Chromecast
Many TVs, stereos/home theaters, and wireless speakers support Google Chromecast built-in. This technology allows Google Home to play streaming content on such a TV or audio device, including the volume control, without connecting an external Chromecast. However, Google Home cannot turn on or off TVs or audio devices with Google Chromecast built-in.
Chromcast Built-in available on everything more TVs from Sony LeECO, Sharp, Toshiba, Philips, Polaroid, Skyworth, Soniq and Vizio as well as home theater receivers (for audio only) from Integra, Pioneer, Onkyo, Sony and wireless speakers from Vizio, Sony, LG, Philips, Band & Olufsen , Grundig, Onkyo, Polk Audio, Riva, Pioneer.
Using Partnered Google Home Devices
Here are some examples of over 1000 possible products that can be used with Google Home.
- Thermostats and security cameras NEST. By using Nest thermostats you can use Google Home to find out the current room temperature, as well as increase or decrease it in general (warmer / colder) or to a specific temperature. If you have a Chromecast connected to a TV or a TV with a built-in Chromecast, you can ask Google Home to play video from cameras NEST on your TV.
- Philips HUE lighting. If Google Home is connected to the system Philips Hue lights Google Home turns the backlight on or off. If you have Philips HUE color-changing bulbs, ask Google Home to change their color. If you install HUE lights in multiple rooms, Google Home manages them separately.
- August Smart Lock: If you link Google Home with August Smart Lock you can command your Google Home to ask August to lock or unlock your door. Google Home controls different locks separately.
- Samsung SmartThings: this collection of products includes lights, smart sockets, thermostats and even a leak detector. Using the SmartThings hub as a gateway, use Google Home to manage everything tasks of the SmartThing device, such as turning lights on and off and adjusting thermostats. In addition, with the help smart connectors turn on conventional devices and lights that can be connected to them.
- Logitech Harmony remote control: use Google Home to control more devices, but they must be compatible with Google Home. As a workaround for incompatible media devices, if you have a Logitech Harmony Elite or a Harmony remote that works in conjunction with a Harmony hub to control your home entertainment devices, link Google Home to the system Harmony Remote . Using the Harmony Remote/Hub as a bridge, Google Home can ask it to turn your TV, Roku or Xbox on or off, go to a specific TV channel (by name or number), go to Netflix or Hulu on your media. streamer, raise and lower the volume and much more.
- Blossom Smart Sprinkler System Controller: If you have an electronically controlled sprinkler system, you can replace its controller with a Google Home compatible Blossom. After establishing a connection you can use Google Home to ask Blossom to water your lawn. You can even assign it to stop after a certain period of time.
- GE Select Wi-Fi Connected Appliances: GE refrigerator, cooker/stove, wall-mounted oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer, or air conditioner using the Geneva Home command interface supports Google Home (via Geneva ) to perform operations on a specific device. such as preheating the oven or starting the dishwasher.
- Intelligent feeder PetNet. By using intelligent feeder petnet use Google Home to manage your pet’s nutritional needs. The Smart Feeder stores several kilos of food and dispenses the correct amount your pet needs on a schedule you set — or, using Google Home, you can tell the smart feeder when and how much to feed your pet.
What you need to use a Google-compatible product
Google Partner products come with what you need to get started. For TVs, for example, Chromecast offers an HDMI connection and a power adapter. Products with built-in Google Chromecast are ready to go.
For stereo/home theater receivers and active speakers Chromecast for Audio has an analog 3.5mm output for connecting to a speaker. If you have a receiver or speaker with Chromecast built in, you can link it directly to Google Home.
For Google Home compatible thermostats, smart switches, and plugs (sockets), you supply your own heating/cooling system, lights, or other plug-in devices. If you’re looking for the complete package, look for kits that include multiple smart controls in one package, as well as a hub or bridge that allows you to communicate with Google Home. For example, the Philips HUE starter kit includes 4 lights and a bridge, and with Samsung SmartThings you start from the hub, and then add compatible devices of your choice.
Even though products or kits may be compatible with Google Home and Assistant, they may also need to install their own smartphone app, which allows your smartphone to do the initial setup and also provides an alternative method of control if you are not near Google Home. However, if you use multiple compatible devices, it’s more convenient to use Google Home to manage them all rather than opening each individual smartphone app. You can even manage Google Home via your PC .
How to link Google Home with partner devices
To pair a compatible device with Google Home, first make sure the product is turned on and on the same home network as your Google Home. In addition, you may need to download the smartphone app for that specific product and complete additional setup, after which you can pair it with your Google Home device as follows:
- open google home app on your smartphone.
- Click Home control .
- Go to » Devices» and press » Add» (or icon + in the lower right corner of the screen).
- Select the device you want to link/pair with Google Home and follow the additional setup instructions. Use Nickname, to identify your device, and rooms, to assign one or more devices to a specific location.
- When connection/pairing is completed, press Ready . You can then control the device through Google Home with verbal commands.