How to Set Up Google Home for Multiple Users

Customize Google Home for every member of your household

Father and son working with tech at home. Google Home multiple users.

 Tom Werner / Getty Images

by Amanda Derrick
Amanda Derrick is a mechanical engineer, business strategist, and former Lifewire writer who has also written for USAF Civil Service, ATK, and Boeing.
Updated June 18, 2019

Google Home devices are super handy, providing anything from music to weather with a simple voice command. But if you haven't been properly introduced to your device then it won't know your voice; that limits the functions you can tap into, including personalized commands. But you can teach your Google Assistant to recognize multiple voices. Here's what you need to know to add multiple users to your Google Home devices so you can access all the best customized features of the assistant.

Adding Multiple Users to Google Home

You can add up to six users for each single speaker or Smart Display in your Google Home set. Here's how:

  1. Open the Google Home app.

  2. In the bottom menu of the app tap on the Home icon.

  3. Select the speaker or Smart display that you want to teach to recognize this user.

  4. Click the gear icon to access Device Settings.

    How to get to the smart speaker settings in the Google Home app.

  5. Tap Voice Match and add a voice using the + icon.

At this point your Google Home device will walk you through the steps to learn your voice. You'll be instructed to repeat phrases like "Ok Google" and "Hey Google" so the speaker can match your voice every time you address the device.

The latest version of Voice Match keeps the voice model that you create on Google's servers, which means you will only have to complete the match process once. After Google captures your voice the first time, it can apply your voice profile to other devices when you go through the setup process above.

If Google happens to not recognize your voice then it will treat you as a guest. You will get answers to queries like "What's the weather like right now?" but you won't get personalized results like you would with Voice Match. If you're having a problem with Google recognizing your voice consistently then you can re-match your voice to tune up the recognition.

Add and Manage Users and Devices with Google Assistant

Wondering what devices your voice is linked to? Does your Google Assistant need a refresher on what your voice sounds like? You can do both of those things following these steps:

  1. Open up your Google Home app.

  2. In the bottom menu bar tap on the Account icon on the far right.

  3. Select Settings.

  4. On the Settings screen, scroll down and tap Voice Match. Here you can choose from:

  • Teach Your Assistant Your Voice Again to have Google re-learn your voice.
  • Invite Others Who Use Your Devices to add access for other users on your network.
  • Shared Devices with Voice Match lets you check what devices you're voice is matched to.
  • Remove Voice Match from either an individual device by tapping the X next to it, or from all devices with the command at the end of the list.
How to get to Voice Match options on the Google Home app.

Why Your Kids Need Their Own Google Home User Accounts

It doesn't take long for even very young kids to figure out that saying "Hey Google" makes things happen on your Google Home device. To keep your child from accessing music or videos that might be inappropriate or making purchases, it's best to have them use voice matching under their own Google accounts. Then the Google Assistant will recognize them and behave appropriately.

In order to manage your child's Google account you'll need to download the Family Link app. You must have your own Google account, be over 18, and have an updated operating system for your device. You'll also be able to manage some of the settings at families.google.com.

Restrictions are based on the child's age. In the U.S., kids under 13 won't be able to:

  • Play YouTube content (videos or music).
  • Use Google Play Music without a Google Play Music family plan.
  • Make any purchases.
  • Use non-Google applications that aren't 'For Families' approved.

There are still plenty of fun things your kids can access on Google Home, like these Disney games designed especially for kids. But at least you know they won't be making purchases or cruising YouTube without you.

With multiple users, you'll be able to get personalized content through each of your Google Home devices and protect your kids from content that you don't want them to access.