You can control smart home devices including lights, switches, outlets, and thermostats using the Google Assistant on your phone or tablet.
For example, you can say:
- "Hey Google, set the heat to 70."
- "Hey Google, turn on lights in the kitchen."
Important: The languages you can use depend on the device. Learn which languages work on your device.
What you need
- Android phone or tablet with these requirements
- "Hey Google" turned on
- Wi-Fi or a cellular network connection
- Smart home devices that work with the Google Assistant. Explore devices you can use
Step 1: Set up your devices
If you haven’t already, set up your smart home devices by following the steps provided by the device maker.
Step 2: Connect devices to your Google Assistant
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices Add a device.
- Tap the type of device you want to connect, and then follow the steps.
- When the pairing is complete, tap Done.
Step 3: Set nicknames for devices
You can choose names to call your smart home devices, for example, "ceiling light" or "Ben’s lamp."
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices tap a device you want to rename Name.
- Enter a nickname.
- Tap OK.
Step 4: Assign devices to a room
To control your devices more easily, assign them to a room. For example, if you assign lights to your bedroom, you can say "Turn on lights in the bedroom."
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices choose a device.
- Tap Room.
- From here you can either:
- Select a room: Tap a room.
- Add a new room: Scroll down and tap Add a custom room. Enter a room name, and then tap OK.
- At the top, tap Save.
You can check for new devices that haven’t been assigned to a room. If you’re using SmartThings, skip to the steps below.
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices then look for new devices labeled as ‘Unassigned.’
- Follow the steps to set a nickname for these devices and add them to a room.
Check for new SmartThings devices
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices Add a device.
- In the "Devices" tab, at the top right, tap Manage accounts SmartThings.
- Tap Check for new devices select a location in the dropdown Authorize.
- At the bottom you’ll see the number of devices added. Follow the steps to add the devices to a room.
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices.
- At the top, tap Open Home app.
- In the Home app, tap Settings Rooms and groups.
- Tap a room Delete room Remove.
Step 5: Control devices using commands
Tip: You can also create shortcut commands.
- Say "Hey Google" or press the button to talk to your Google Assistant.
- Say a command:
- Turn on/off [light name].
- Turn on/off all of the lights.
- Turn on/off lights in [room name].
- Dim the [light name].
- Brighten the [light name].
- Set [light name] to 50%.
- Turn [light name] green.
Turn on thermostat
Note: You must say a mode.
- Turn on heating/cooling mode.
- Turn on heat-cool mode.
Turn off thermostat
- Turn off thermostat.
Set the temperature
- Set the heat to 68.
- Set heat-cool to 72.
- Set the air conditioning to 70.
- Set the [room name] thermostat to 70.
Adjust the temperature
Note: You can say "temp" or "temperature."
- Make it warmer/cooler.
- Raise/lower the temp.
- Raise/lower the temp 2 degrees.
Switch heating or cooling modes
- Turn on heating/cooling.
- Set thermostat to cooling/heating.
- Turn thermostat to heat-cool mode.
Find out the temperature
- What’s the thermostat set to?
- What’s the temperature outside?
- Turn on/off the [outlet name].
- Turn on/off the [switch name].
Disconnect devices from your Google Assistant
If you no longer want to control your smart home devices using your Assistant, you can disconnect your account.
- On your Pixel phone, open the Settings app .
- Tap Devices your device.
- At the bottom, tap Remove device Remove.
Fix problems
To try fixing the issue, rename your device. Read the tips below, then follow the steps to set a new nickname.
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").
- Check to see if your Philips Hue bridge:
- Has power
- Has all its top lights on
- Is plugged in to your Wi-Fi router
- See if your Philips Hue bridge has been paired with the Philips Hue cloud. To check:
- Make sure your devices appear in https://my.meethue.com/en-us/my-devices
- Make sure your bridge appears in https://meethue.com/en-us/user/bridge
- Connect your phone and Philips Hue bridge to the same Wi-Fi network and router.
If those steps don’t work, try restarting your phone and the Philips Hue bridge. If you have questions about your Philips Hue bridge or need more help, contact Philips.