How to Set Up Google Home Routines

New & Next

Updated June 19, 2019

Using your Google speaker as your ever-present assistant or as a buddy to play games with is all well and good, but what else can it do? Did you know that you can create routines to run several tasks with one prompt? Using a single command, these Google Home routines can trigger multiple actions at the same time. And they're easy to create.

What is a Google Home Routine?

A Google Home routine is a set of actions that your Google Home device controls with a single command. In fact, your Google Assistant already has six built-in routines waiting for you. They are:

Good morning
Bedtime
Leaving home
I'm home
Commuting to work
Commuting home

Each of these ready-made routines can be totally customized. Within each routine, you'll see a set of parameters that you can edit:

When I say... to set your trigger word or phrase for the routine.
The Google Assistant should... to assign tasks to be completed with the verbal cue.
And then play... to decide if you need some music to go along with your new task.

If these ready-made routines aren't what you're going for then you can also create custom routines.

How to Create Custom Google Routines

Open the Google Assistant App.
Tap on your Profile Icon in the top right corner to open your user menu.
Tap on the Assistant tab under your user name.
Tap Routines to open the Routines menu.
Tap the Blue + icon in the bottom right to create a new routine.
Under When I Say choose a voice command to start your routine. You can also treat it as an alarm, setting it to start the routine on a certain day, at a specific time.
Under The Google Assistant Should tap Add Action. This will give you the option of adding a custom action, or you can tap Popular Actions to choose options from a list.

The list will suggest things like lights, plugs, weather reports, commute information, and other actions. If you're selecting from the list you can customize a choice by tapping on the Settings Gear (where available), then you'll need to tap ADD in the top right corner when you've made all your picks.
Under And then play, tap Add Media and yo're taken to a screen where you can select the media that you want to play during this routine. Some options include:
- Music: Will use your default music player that you've set for Google Assistant. You can change that by tapping on the blue link default music service when you're selecting your music for your routine.
- News: Provides a number of major news outlets that you can prioritize by your level of interest.
- Radio: Tune using a radio station call sign.
- Podcasts: Either continue the last podcast you were playing or play the latest episode of a specific podcast.
- Audiobook: Listen to and voice-control audiobooks from Google Play Books.
- Sleep sounds: Pick from a variety of white noise type sounds like rain or the ocean waves.
You may need to tap the Settings Gear for some of these choices to prioritize what news station you want, pick your radio station, or select your sleep sounds.

Tap ADD when you've selected your media source and customized the settings.
When you're finished adding all of your actions and music, go back to the New Routine screen and tap SAVE in the top right corner. The routine will now be in your list of routines and be accessible when you say "Hey Google" and give the prompt that you chose.

Routines can be deleted from their edit screen. Instead of tapping to save, tap on the blue trash can icon to delete the routine.

If you're using other smart gadgets in your home that are compatible with Google Assistant — light bulbs, smart locks, security cameras, a thermostat, video doorbells, and more — then routines are a great way to get the most out your tech. Give it a try and see just how smart your home can get.