Set up Hub Mode on your Pixel Tablet

If you attach your Pixel Tablet to a Charging Speaker Dock while it’s locked, your tablet automatically enters Hub Mode. To get the most out of your Pixel Tablet in Hub Mode, you need to set it up first.

After you set up Hub Mode, you can set up Google Assistant and add your Pixel Tablet to the Google Home app to get some of the best features of a smart display while your tablet is locked and docked:

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 while your tablet is locked and docked, like a digital photo frame, smart home controls, Google Cast, 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:

To enter Hub Mode, attach your Pixel Tablet to a Charging Speaker Dock. Learn how to dock and undock your Pixel Tablet.
For full Hub Mode functionality, unplug the USB-C cable from your Pixel Tablet's USB port when you attach your tablet to a Charging Speaker Dock.

Set up Hub Mode

After you set up your Pixel Tablet, you'll be prompted to set up Hub Mode. Setting up Hub Mode requires the Pixel Tablet to be docked to a Charging Speaker Dock.

Step 1: Dock your tablet and start Hub Mode setup

To dock your tablet and start Hub Mode setup:

Set up your tablet. Learn how to set up your Pixel Tablet.
If your tablet isn't docked, dock it now. Learn how to dock your Pixel Tablet.
Follow the on-screen prompts to start setting up Hub Mode. Tap Set up Hub Mode Continue.
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 locked. You can also change and customize your screen saver at any time after you set up Hub Mode in your Hub Mode settings:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Hub Mode.
Select the screen saver that you want to use.
Tap Customize.

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.

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

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

Tap the Home where your Pixel Tablet is located.
- If your Home isn't listed, tap Add another home follow the on-screen instructions.
Tap Next.
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 . Learn how to set up your Pixel Tablet in the Google Home app.
Only the Pixel Tablet's primary user can get personalized results with Google Assistant. Learn how to set up Voice Match and Personal Results.
When you download the Gemini mobile app and set up Gemini as your primary assistant, it will replace Google Assistant when your tablet is unlocked. Your Pixel Tablet will continue to use Google Assistant when locked, including in Hub Mode.
If a feature you rely on from Google Assistant isn’t supported in your Gemini mobile app, you can switch back to Google Assistant. Learn how to switch back to Google Assistant.

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.

Select a default music service tap Next.
Select a default video service tap Next.

To dock your Pixel Tablet and use Hub Mode, you need a Charging Speaker Dock.
You might 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.
When you download the Gemini mobile app and set up Gemini as your primary assistant, it will replace Google Assistant when your tablet is unlocked. Your Pixel Tablet will continue to use Google Assistant when locked, including in Hub Mode.
If a feature you rely on isn’t supported in your Gemini mobile app, you can switch back to Google Assistant. Learn how to switch back to Google Assistant.

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:

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

Learn more about using Google Assistant in Hub Mode.

Step 8: Finish Hub Mode setup

Optional: Select any services you haven't set up and follow the on-screen instructions.
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

To get notifications and a media player on your Pixel Tablet’s screen when locked in Hub Mode, you need to adjust your privacy settings:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Security & privacy More security & privacy.
- Tap Notifications on lock screen. To show or hide notifications on your lock screen, tap Show all notification content.
- To show or hide the media player on your lock screen, tap Show media on lock screen.

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