How to Set Up Google Home Routines

Using a Google speaker as an ever-present assistant or as a buddy to play games with is all well and good. But, to do more with your smart speaker, create routines to run several tasks with a single command. Routines are easy to create.

What Is a Google Home Routine?

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

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

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

• When I say: Sets a trigger word or phrase for the routine.
• The Google Assistant should: Assigns the tasks to be completed with the verbal cue.
• And then play: Plays music along with the task.

How to Create Custom Google Routines

If the ready-made routines aren't what you want, create custom routines. Here's how:

1. Open the Google Assistant app.

2. Select your Profile icon in the upper-right corner to open the user menu.

3. Select the Assistant tab under your user name.

   

4. Select Routines to open the Routines menu.

5. Select the Blue + icon in the lower-right corner to create a new routine.

6. Under When I say, choose a voice command to start the routine. You can also treat it as an alarm, setting it to start the routine on a certain day at a specific time.

   

7. Under The Google Assistant should, select Add Action. This gives you the option of adding a custom action. Alternatively, select popular actions to choose options from a list.

   The list suggests things like lights, plugs, weather reports, commute information, and other actions. If you select from the list, you can customize a choice by choosing the Settings Gear (where available), and then selecting Add in the upper-right corner after making your choices.

   

8. Under And then play, select Add Media. A screen displays where you select the media you want to play during this routine. Some options include:

   • Music: Uses the default music player that you set for Google Assistant. To change this setting, select the blue link default music service when selecting the music for the routine.
   • News: Provides several major news outlets that you can prioritize by your level of interest.
   • Radio: Tunes the media selection using a radio station call sign.
   • Podcasts: Either continues the last podcast you played or plays the latest episode of a specific podcast.
   • Audiobook: Plays and accepts voice-control for audiobooks from Google Play Books.
   • Sleep sounds: Plays a variety of white noise type sounds like rain or ocean waves.

   Select Add after selecting a media source and customizing the settings.

9. When you finish adding actions and music, go back to the New Routine screen and select Save in the upper-right corner. The routine is added to your list of routines and is accessible when you say Hey Google and give the prompt you chose.

   

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