How to Connect Google Home to Roku

Control your TV with voice commands

By
Rose de Fremery
Rose de Fremery
Rose de Fremery
Writer
  • Oberlin College
Rose de Fremery has been writing about technology since 2011. She's covered numerous tech topics for companies such as Ziff-Davis, Intel, IBM, and HP.
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Updated on August 20, 2021

This article explains how to connect Google Home and a Roku streaming device using the Quick Remote app on an Android phone.

Connect Google Home to Roku With Quick Remote

Quick Remote, an Android app, links your Google Home smart speaker and Roku streaming device. This allows you to control your TV with Google Home and basic voice commands. Here's how to set it up.

  1. Download and install Quick Remote on your Android device from the Google Play store.

    Quick Remote app for Google Home - Android only.

  2. Make sure your Android device and Roku are connected to the same wireless network. If they're not, they won't be able to talk to each other.

  3. When you open Quick Remote, it automatically discovers Roku devices on your wireless network. Tap the Select a Roku text at the bottom to view the search results.

  4. Select the Roku device you want to use.

Integrate Your Roku with Google Home

Now that you've linked Quick Remote and your Roku, it's time to integrate your Roku with Google Home.

  1. In the Quick Remote main screen, tap Sign into Google Home.

  2. You should see a window displaying the Google accounts you registered on your Android device. Select the Google account linked to your Google Home.

How to Control Roku With Google Home

To activate the interface, say, "OK Google, let me talk to Quick Remote." Now, you can issue commands such as "Hey Google, ask Quick Remote to go home" to access the Home screen or, "Hey Google, ask Quick Remote to start Netflix." Experiment with some simple commands to see how it works for you.

Quick Remote's integration with Google Home supports only basic commands at this time. Likewise, the app allows you to issue 50 free voice commands per month. Upgrade to the Full Pass subscription if you'd like to use the app more frequently.

Troubleshooting Roku and Google Home

With a smart speaker, glitches sometimes happen. Here's how to troubleshoot some of the most common.

If Your Voice Commands Get Lost in Translation

If Google Home doesn't seem to understand what you're asking:

  1. Launch Quick Remote, then tap the menu button in the upper-right corner.

  2. Choose Channels. Every channel you configured on your Roku, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, appears.

  3. Open the channel that you're having trouble with and assign it up to five alternative names by which Google Home can recognize it.

If Quick Remote Is Having Trouble Connecting With Roku

If the app and your Roku aren't on speaking terms:

  1. Open your Android's Wi-Fi settings and make sure Wi-Fi is set to be always on, even during sleep.

  2. Turn off battery optimization for the Quick Remote app in Settings > Battery Optimization.

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