How to Use Google Home App on Your Mac

Control your home from your trusty Mac or MacBook

by
Luis Chavez
Luis E. Chavez Saenz
Writer
Luis Chavez is a former Lifewire writer and a System Administrator with 5+ years' experience writing about technology for end users.
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Luis E. Chavez Saenz
Updated on September 11, 2020
reviewed by
Christine Baker
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design.
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Article reviewed on Apr 08, 2020
Christine Baker

The Google Home app is used to set up and manage Chromecast, Google Home and other smart devices compatible with Google Home. The app is designed to work with iOS and Android devices only, but there are workarounds enabling you to use some or all of the functionality the Google Home app provides from your MacBook.

Use Google Home App on Mac via an Android Emulator

Since the Google Home app is only supported on Android and iOS devices, you must install an emulator in order to run the Android operating system on your macOS device.

All Google Home & Chromecast devices require this functionality in order to be set up for the first time.

There are several Android emulators, so it's a matter of preference and the resources you have available on your Mac. One of the well-known emulators, Bluestacks, will allow you to install and run several Android applications, including the Google Home app.

Once the emulator and the Google Home app are installed, it's only a matter of setting up your Google Home devices.

Differences From Using an Android or iOS Device

Overall, functionality is largely the same; once you've set up the emulator you can achieve the same results, as you essentially have Android running on your Mac. However, some extra work is required to get the emulator set up, making the whole set up process a little more involved.

Using Google Chrome for Google Home

Google Chrome allows you to use some of the functionality the Google Home app provides, but it's limited to only media casting. Before you're able to do so, you must ensure Google Chrome is updated to the latest version.

You will not be able to set up Google Home devices from Chrome. This functionality only works by using the Google Home App on your Android or iOS devices or the appropriate emulator for the Mac.

  1. Launch the Google Chrome browser.

  2. Click the three vertical dots menu icon in the top right corner.

    Google homepage

  3. Choose Help, then click About Google Chrome.

    You can also get to these settings by typing "chrome://settings/help" into the URL/search bar.

  4. Confirm your browser is updated. If an update is available, Chrome will automatically download and install the update.

    Google Chrome setting page

  5. Once Chrome updates, click Relaunch to apply the update.

  6. Once you have confirmed Chrome is updated, you can proceed to cast to any of your Google Home or Chromecast devices.

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