Automations generated through Help me create in the Google Home app have 3 components:
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Starters tell the automation when to begin. Starters can include specific times or device states.
Note: An automation can include more than one starter, but any one of them can start the automation. -
Conditions are optional restrictions on when your automation begins. Conditions are checked each time an automation starts. For example, you could specify that your automation only starts if everyone is away from home or if it's after sunset.
Note: If an automation has multiple conditions, you can set it to start in two ways:- Any: The automation starts if any of the selected conditions are met.
- All: The automation starts only if all of the selected conditions are met.
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Actions are what your automations do, like adjust the speaker volume or turn a light on or off.
- Starter: Schedule the automation to start at sunset.
- This initiates the automation.
- Conditions: Set two “and” conditions to only run the automation on weekdays and when home presence indicates that no one is home.
- The automation evaluates the conditions as it checks if it’s a weekday. If true, it then proceeds to validate if no one is home.
- If all conditions are met, the specified action occurs.
- Actions: Add the action to turn on your lights after the starter has occurred and all conditions are met.
Some behaviors aren’t supported for Help me create yet. Supported behaviors will be listed here once they become available.
To learn more about Help me create, refer to Create automations in Google Home with Help me create.
Supported behaviors
Help me create doesn’t support all behaviors and devices at this time, but more support is being added regularly. Before getting started with Help me create, make sure you have eligible devices set up and linked in your Google Home app.
Learn to set up your device:
- Set up Google devices in the Google Home or Nest app
- Set up and manage Matter-enabled devices in the Google Home app
- Connect third-party smart home devices in the Google Home app
Note: For third-party smart home devices, compatibility may vary. For example, you might be able to turn a smart light on and off using your voice, but you might not be able to adjust its brightness or change its color. For the most accurate information, you may need to refer to your device’s manual or reach out to your device's manufacturer.
Starters and conditions
Device starters and conditions start an automation when a specific device changes its state or detects a specific event or condition.
Note: Not all devices support all available starters, conditions, and actions.
Nest Camera event starters
These features are only available on Nest cameras set up in the Google Home App and legacy cameras that have been migrated to the Home app. To learn more about migrating devices, visit Transfer devices to the Google Home app.
Additionally, some event types are available only for select cameras. To find out which features are available on your camera, refer to Supported behaviors for Nest Cameras.
Note: When starting automations based on camera event detection, keep in mind that cameras' ability to detect faces, people, packages, and animals may not always be reliable. Lighting, camera position, and weather may all cause variability in camera performance.
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
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When familiar or unfamiliar faces are seen |
"when a familiar face is seen" "when an unfamiliar face is seen between 8 p.m. to midnight…" |
December 3, 2024 |
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When packages are seen |
"when a package is seen on the doorbell cam…” or “when a package is picked up…” |
December 3, 2024 |
|
When a person is seen |
"when a person is seen…” or “if a person is detected…” |
December 3, 2024 |
|
Activity or animal seen |
“when an animal is detected…” |
December 3, 2024 |
| Vehicle seen |
“when a vehicle is seen…” |
December 3, 2024 |
Supported behaviors for Nest Cameras
| Description | Supported events | Date added |
|
Nest Camera Indoor and Nest Camera Outdoor |
|
December 3, 2024 |
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Nest Camera IQ Indoor and Nest Camera IQ Outdoor |
|
December 3, 2024 |
|
Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery) and Nest Cam (indoor, wired) |
|
December 3, 2024 |
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Nest Hub Max |
|
December 3, 2024 |
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Nest Doorbell (wired) |
|
December 3, 2024 |
|
Nest Doorbell (battery) and Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) |
|
December 3, 2024 |
Device states
Note: Thermostat control isn’t supported yet.
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
|
A TV is muted or unmuted Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"when the TV is muted" |
December 3, 2024 |
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A specific device is turned on or off Note: Available as a starter only. |
"when my plug turns on…" |
December 3, 2024 |
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When a temperature sensor detects temperature changes or a specific temperature level is reached Note: Available as a starter only. |
"if the temperature rises above 80 degrees…" |
December 3, 2024 |
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Window coverings are opened or closed Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"if the blinds are fully closed" |
December 3, 2024 |
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When a sensor detects occupancy Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"if the living room is occupied…" |
December 3, 2024 |
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Detected carbon monoxide Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"if CO reaches…" or “if the CO alarm senses elevated levels…” |
December 3, 2024 |
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Door is opened or closed Note: Available as a starter only. |
"when the door is locked…" or "when the door is unlocked…" |
December 3, 2024 |
The voice command starter allows you to activate your automation by simply speaking a specific phrase that begins with "Ok, Google" or "Hey Google.” For example, you could say "Hey Google, turn on party time" to start an automation that dims your lights.
“Hey Google” isn’t available as a condition.
Choose to start automations based on the presence or absence of people in your home.
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
|
When someone is home or everyone is away Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"when everyone is away…” or "when someone is home…" |
December 3, 2024 |
Note: Prompts for specific dates, such as “on January 1st,” aren't supported at this time.
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
|
Set to a particular day of the week Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"on Tuesday" |
December 3, 2024 |
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Set with a delay or offset |
"10 minutes after sunset" |
December 3, 2024 |
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Set a precise start time Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"at 4 p.m." |
December 3, 2024 |
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When it’s sunset or sunrise Note: Available as starter or condition. |
"after sunset" |
December 3, 2024 |
Actions
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
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Broadcast an announcement or a message |
“...broadcast a reminder to take out the trash at 5 p.m.” |
December 3, 2024 |
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Turn a device on or off Note: This behavior doesn't support cameras. |
“...turn on the lights on the front porch.” |
December 3, 2024 |
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Open or close window coverings |
“...open the blinds in the bedroom.” |
December 3, 2024 |
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Lock a smart lock Note: Smart locks that require pin codes aren't supported. |
“...lock the front door.” |
December 3, 2024 |
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Adjust the volume to a specific level Note: This feature doesn't support muting. |
“...lower the music volume.” |
December 3, 2024 |
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Set the brightness to a specific level |
"...dim the lights in the bedroom." |
December 3, 2024 |
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
| Issue a command using “Hey Google” | “...play my morning playlist on the kitchen speaker,” or “... tell me today’s weather.” | December 3, 2024 |
Media actions are available on these devices:
- TV
- Chromecast
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
| Start playback of media content | "Play music" | December 3, 2024 |
| Pause playback of media content | "Pause" | December 3, 2024 |
| Go back to the previous track | "Play previous track" | December 3, 2024 |
| Skip to the next track | "Next track" | December 3, 2024 |
| Stop playback | "Stop whatever is playing" | December 3, 2024 |
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
| Send a notification | “Send a notification if the front door is left unlocked after 10 p.m.” or “If the outdoor camera spots a person, alert me and home members.” | December 3, 2024 |
| Description | Sample prompt | Date added |
| Add a delay between actions | "At 8 p.m., turn on kitchen lights, wait 20 seconds, and then turn on living room lights" or "If motion is detected on the front door camera between 10 p.m and 6 a.m., turn on the porch light, wait 2 minutes, and then turn on the living room light.” | December 3, 2024 |
Known issues and limitations
- A large number of devices in a structure may cause delays in automation creation.
- Creating and editing an automation through Help me create is unavailable on iOS, but automation history is visible in the activity tab.
- Nest Thermostats are currently not supported.
- Nest Camera motion events are currently not supported, only other specific events (person, package, animal seen, and more).
- Cameras can’t be turned on or off with automations at this time.
- Nest Doorbell button press is currently not supported.
- Light color adjustments and light effects are currently not supported.
- Temperature-related automations default to Fahrenheit and can’t be switched to Celsius.
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Nest’s familiar face detection feature is not available on Nest cameras used in Illinois. Certain state legislation may affect Illinois customers’ use of the feature, so we disabled it as a precaution. If the home where you’re using your camera is in Illinois, you shouldn’t be able to turn on familiar face detection in the Nest app.