Control smart home devices by voice

You can use voice commands to manage devices that you've added to the Google Home app. These can be media devices, speakers and displays, lights, thermostats, and much more.

To use a voice command on a Google Nest or Home speaker or display, you can say "Hey Google" or "OK Google" and then the command.

To use a voice command on your Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer (4K), press and hold the Voice Remote's microphone button and state the command. No need to say “Hey Google” or “OK Google.”

If you have Look and Talk (English only) or quick phrases (US English only) enabled on your Nest Hub Max, you can also activate Google Assistant without "Hey Google."

Tip: If Digital Wellbeing is enabled, this feature may be restricted or blocked by Downtime, Filters or Do not disturb. Learn more about Digital Wellbeing.

Learn how to ask your Assistant to do multiple things at once (US English only).

Listen to media

General media voice commands

Tip: The voice commands listed below also apply to Google Cast-enabled apps.

To do this:	Say "Hey Google," then:
Play	"Play” "Play music” "Play podcast” "Play news”
Control volume	"Louder" "Set volume to 40%" "Turn it up" "Turn it down" “Max volume”
Pause	"Pause" "Pause the music" "Pause the podcast" “Pause the news”
Resume	"Resume" "Continue playing"
Stop any media, Android audio or Chrome content playing on your speaker or display	"Stop" "Stop the music” "Stop the podcast” "Stop the news”
What’s playing (applicable for music, podcasts, radio, and news)	"What's playing?" "What song is playing?" "What artist is playing?"

For more specific details about colume control on Google Nest speakers and displays, refer to Control volume of Google Nest speakers and displays.

Music

To do this:	Say "Hey Google," then:
Request a song	"Play [song name]" "Play [song name] by [artist name]" "Play [song name] from [album name]" "Play [song name] on [music service]" "Play songs like [song name]"
Request an artist	"Play [artist name]" "Play music by [artist name]" "Play [artist name] on [music service]" "Play songs like [artist name]"
Request an album	"Play [album name]" "Play [album name] by [artist name]" "Play [album name] by [artist name] on [music service]"
Play music based on genre, mood, or activity	"Play classical music" "Play happy music" "Play music for cooking" "Play [genre] on [music service]"
Play personalized suggested content from chosen service	"Play some music" "Play [genre] music on [music service]"
Shuffle	"Shuffle" "Shuffle [album]" "Shuffle some music" "Play [album] and shuffle" "Play [album] shuffled" "Play [album] on shuffle" You can also use an artist or playlist name instead of an album name.
Play next song	"Next" "Skip" "Next song"
Play music on specific speakers, TVs, or displays added to your home in the Google Home app. Important: For this voice command, you must use compatible TVs: Google streaming devices. TVs that work with Google Cast. Assistant built-in TVs that is linked to Google Nest or Home speaker or display. Learn how to link your TV to your Google Nest or Home speaker or display.	"Play music on my living room TV" "Play [genre] on my bedroom speakers"
Play music on a speaker group	"Play music on [speaker group name]" Tip: To enable this feature, set up a speaker group in the Google Home app.

Learn more on how to listen to music.

Podcasts

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Listen to a podcast	"Listen to [podcast name] on [podcast service]" "Play [podcast name] on [podcast service]"
Continue to listen to a podcast	"Continue listening to [podcast name]" "Play my podcast"
Listen to podcast by latest episode	"Listen to the latest episode of [podcast name]"
Listen to the next or previous episode	"Next episode" "Previous" "Skip"
Discover new podcasts	"Recommend a podcast" "Play a comedy podcast" "Find podcasts about investments"

Learn more on how to listen to podcasts.

Radio

To do this:	Say "Hey Google," then:
Listen to the closest radio station by name, call-sign, or frequency Tip: Premium online radio streaming requires a subscription (available in the US and Canada only).	"Play [radio station name]" "Play [radio station call-sign]" "Play [radio station frequency]" "Play [radio station] on [radio service]"
Listen to a radio station in another location	"Play [radio station name] in [location]" "Play [radio station frequency] [location]"
Listen to the last radio station or channel you played	"Turn on the radio" "Play the radio"
Listen to the last radio station or channel you played on a specific service	"Play [radio service]"
Play radio on TV or speaker that works with Google Cast.	"Play [radio station] on my [device name]"
Play a nearby NPR station	"Play NPR"

Learn more on how to listen to radio.

News

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Listen to the latest news	"Play me the news" "Listen to the news"
Listen to news from specific provider	"Listen to (the news from) [provider name]" "Play (the news from) [provider name]"
Listen to news about a topic	"Listen to news about NASA" "Play the latest on college football" "Hear headlines about Wall Street"
Listen to the latest news about a specific news category	"What's the latest in sports?" "Play business news"
Change the playback speed	"Play at 2x speed" "Play slower" "Play twice as fast" "Play at half the speed"
Play next news story	"Next" "Skip"
Rewind	"Rewind" "Rewind [number] seconds" "Rewind [number] minutes"

Learn more on how to listen to news.

Control TV or speakers

General voice commands for TVs using your speaker or display

To do this:

Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:

Turn on subtitles or captions for videos, TV shows, or movies.

"Turn on subtitles"
"Turn on captions"
"Subtitles on"
"Captions on"

Turn on subtitles or captions for videos, TV shows, or movies.

"Turn off subtitles"
"Turn off captions"
"Subtitles off"
"Captions off"

Turn on subtitles of a video, TV show, or movie for a specific language.

Tip: Supported languages depend on the content service and the video title.

"Turn on [language] subtitles"

Play music on speakers and TVs using your speaker or display

To do this:

Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:

Play music on a specific device by name

Tip: To start, stop, and control music on a remote device, and "on [device's name]" to any of the basic voice commands. News and podcasts aren't supported.

"Play [artist] using [music service] on [device name]"
"Pause on [device name]"
"Play [music genre] on [device name]"
"Stop [device name]"

Learn more on how to play audio on speakers and TVs from your speaker or display.

Play video on TVs using your speaker or display

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Play general videos from TV show, YouTube Channel, or artist	"Play [artist] videos on [TV name]" "Play [YouTube channel] videos on [TV name]" "Play [TV show] videos on [streaming device name]"
Play specific videos or songs	"Play [video name] trailer on [TV name]" "Play [song name] on [TV name]"
Play videos by category	"Play [topic] videos on [TV name]"
Control videos on a remote device. Tip: To do this, add "on [device name]" to any of the basic voice commands for music.	"Pause on [device name]" "Resume on [device name]" "Skip on [device name]" "Stop on [device name]"

Learn more on how to play video on TVs using your speaker or display.

Play TV shows and movies using your speaker or display

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Open an app	"Open [app name] on the TV" "Start [app name] on the TV"
Play a specific channel	"Play [channel] on TV" "Change channel to [channel]"
Search and play content	"Search for [genre] movies" "Play [album name]" "Play [artist name]"
Play TV series, TV show, or movie Tip: For TV series, each session usually starts where the previous session ended. For The CW, each session starts from the latest aired episode. Requests for specific episodes or seasons of a TV series aren't supported.	"Watch [TV series] on [TV name]" "Watch [TV series] from [service] on [TV name]" "Watch [TV show] on [TV name]" "Watch [TV show] on [service] on [TV name]" "Play [movie] on [TV name]" "Play [movie] on [service] on [TV name]"
Play next episode or previous episode Tip: Some services don't support requests for next or previous episode.	"Next episode on [TV name]" "Previous episode on [TV name]"
Pause or resume or stop	"Pause on [TV name]" "Resume on [TV name]" "Stop on [TV name]"
Skip back	"Skip back [time] on [TV name]" "Rewind [time] on [TV name]" "Jump back [time] on [TV name]"
Turn on dubbing Tip: Dubbing switches the spoken language to a language of your choice. Some services don't support dubbing.	"Dubbing on" "Turn on dubbing" "Can you turn on dubbing?"
Change dubbing to a language of your choice	"Change language to [language]" "Switch language to [language]" "Turn on [language] dubbing" "Play it in [language]"

Learn more on how to play TV shows and movies with your speaker or display.

Multi-room group playback with your speaker or display

Important: During group playback, volume commands only change the device you said the voice command to.

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Play music using group name	"Play rock on [group name]"
Control music using basic commands	"Pause" "Resume" "Stop" "Play next song"
Control volume of a device in a speaker group	"Louder" "Set volume to 40%"

Learn more on how to use multi-room group playback with your speaker or display.

Control entertainment accessories

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or Hey Google," then:
Turn on set top box	"Turn on [set top box name]"
Change volume	"Volume up on [set top box name]" "Volume down by 5 on [set top box name]"
Play a game on Xbox	"Play [game] on Xbox"

Control your home

Lights

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Turn on or turn off a light	"Turn on or off [light name]"
Dim a light	"Dim the [light name]"
Brighten a light	"Brighten the [light name]"
Set light brightness to a certain percentage	"Set [light name] to 50%"
Dim or brighten lights by a certain percentage	"Dim [light name] by 50%" "Brighten [light name] by 50%"
Change the color of a light (if multiple colors are available on your lights)	"Turn [light name] green"
Turn all lights in room on or off	"Turn on or off lights in [room name]"
Turn all lights on or off	"Turn on all the lights" "Turn off all the lights"

Learn more on how to connect and manage lights using your speaker or display.

Thermostat

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Adjust the temperature	"Make it warmer" "Lower the temp" "Raise temp 2 degrees" "Set the temperature to 72"
Switch heating or cooling modes	"Turn on the cooling" "Set the thermostat to heating" "Turn thermostat to heat or cool mode"

Learn more on how to connect and manage thermostats with Google Assistant.

Plugs and switches

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Turn plugs on or off	"Turn on or off the [plug name]"
Turn switch on or off	"Turn on or off the [switch name]"

Learn more on how to connect and manage plugs or switches using Google Assistant.

Home security

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or Hey Google," then:
Start stream	"Show [camera name]" "What's on [camera name]?" "[Camera name] on [Chromecast device name]" "Play [camera name] on [Chromecast device name]" "Show [camera name] on [Chromecast device name]"
Stop stream	"Stop [TV or Chromecast device name]"

Learn more on how to stream and control security cameras.

Tip: You can't disarm using voice commands.

Manage alarms, timers and shopping lists

Alarms

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Set new alarm	"Set alarm for 6 AM tomorrow"
Set an alarm with a name	"Set an alarm for 7 AM called Medicine"
Set a recurring alarm	"Set alarm for 7 AM every day of the week"
Ask about an existing alarm	"When is my alarm set for?" "When is my Friday alarm?" "When is my medicine alarm?"
Ask about all alarms	"What alarms are set?"
Cancel an existing alarm	"Cancel my alarm" "Cancel my medicine alarm"
Stop a ringing alarm	"Stop" To stop an alarm, you don't need to say "Hey Google." Just say "Stop." (English language only)
Snooze	"Snooze for 10 minutes" "Snooze"

Learn more on how to set up and manage alarms.

Timers

To do this:	Say "Hey Google," then:
Set a timer with or without a name	"Set a timer for one minute" "Set a 10-minute timer for pizza"
Find out time remaining on a timer with or without a name	"How much time is left?" "How much time is left on my pizza?"
Cancel a timer	"Cancel timer" "Cancel pizza timer"
Stop a ringing timer	"Stop" To stop a timer, you don't need to say "Hey Google." Just say "Stop." (English language only)
Pause timer	"Pause timer"
Resume timer	"Resume timer" "Restart timer"

Learn more on how to set up and manage timers.

Shopping lists

To do this:	Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Add item to list	"Add paper towels to my shopping list"
Add multiple items to list	"Add paper towels and batteries to my shopping list"
Ask what's on list	"What's on my shopping list?"

Learn more on how to create and manage shopping lists.

Fix a problem

Check these things first

Is your speaker or display and smart device plugged into a wall outlet and powered on?
Are your speaker or display and other smart devices set up on the same Wi-Fi network?
Are you using the same Google Account on your mobile device and in the Google Home app?
1. Open the Google Home app .
2. At the top right, tap your account.
3. Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your Google device. If correct, tap Close to exit the account window. To switch accounts, tap the drop down another account or Add another account.
Are you in the same room as the device you’re using for voice commands?

Can't find Works with Google device in the Google Home app

If you add, update, or change a device in the partner app and can't find the device in the Google Home app, try to sync the smart home control device and your speaker or display.

To sync your devices in the Google Home app:

Open the Google Home app .
Tap your account.
Verify that the Google Account shown is the one linked to your Google device. If correct, tap Close to exit the account window. To switch accounts, tap the drop down another account or Add another account.
Resync your linked smart home devices with the Google Home app. You can either:
- Tap Devices and swipe down with your finger on the screen.
- Tap Settings Works with Google under “Services” the manufacturer of your device Reconnect account.
There will be a spinning circle. The sync is complete when the circle disappears.
Tap Devices and check for your device.

To sync your devices with your voice:

Important:

You need to set up some devices in the manufacturer's app and the Google Home app. Use the correct setup instructions for your device.
If you sync multiple devices at once, you may receive a timeout error.

To do this:	Say "Hey Google" or "Ok Google," then:
Sync all devices	"Sync my devices."
Sync a device type	"Sync my lights."

Google Assistant can't control device

To fix the issue, you can try to rename your device.

Open the Google Home app .
Tap Settings .
Under "Devices, groups & rooms", tap your device's tile.
Tap Name or Device information Device name.

Tips for renaming your device:

Don't include numbers, special characters, or room names.
Avoid similar names (for example, "Table light left" and "Table light right").

Related resources

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?