Creating routines in Google Home: Automate your home

Google Home routines are a powerful way to run multiple actions with a single command. Instead of controlling each device separately, a routine lets you run your whole home in one go. In this in-depth article we explain how to create routines, which options are available, and we give practical examples you can use right away.

What are Google Home routines?

A routine in Google Home is a set of actions that run automatically when you give a specific command or at a time you set. With a routine you can turn on lights, adjust the thermostat, have the news read aloud, play music and much more, all at the same time.

Imagine you do the same things every morning: lights on, thermostat up, listen to the news. With a "Good morning" routine you do all of this with one simple voice command. That saves time and makes your day a lot more pleasant.

Benefits of routines

Routines offer many benefits that take your smart home experience to the next level.

Saving time

Instead of giving five different commands or tapping five times in the app, you run everything with a single word or automatically at a fixed time.

Consistency

Your home responds the same way every time. No hassle with forgotten devices or wrong settings.

Personalization

Create routines that perfectly fit your lifestyle. Whether you get up early or you are a night owl, your routines work when you want them to.

Accessibility

For people who struggle with technology or have limited mobility, routines make controlling the home much easier.

Opening routines in Google Home

Before you can create a routine, you need to know where to find them in the Google Home app.

Step 1: Open the Google Home app

Open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you are signed in with the right Google account.

Step 2: Go to Automations

Tap the Automations tab at the bottom of the screen. This is where you find all your routines and other automations.

Step 3: View existing routines

Google Home has a number of default routines ready, such as "Good morning" and "Good night". You can customize these or create new routines.

Creating a new routine

Now let's create a new routine step by step.

Step 1: Tap Add routine

On the Automations screen, tap the plus sign or the button to add a new routine.

Step 2: Choose a starter

Decide how the routine is triggered. You have several options:

Voice command: Choose a phrase you say to start the routine. This can be anything, such as "I'm leaving", "Movie night" or "Start my workday".

Time: Have the routine start automatically at a specific time and day of the week. Perfect for morning and evening routines.

Sunrise or sunset: The routine starts automatically at sunrise or sunset, ideal for outdoor lighting.

Step 3: Add actions

Now comes the fun part: deciding what should happen. Tap Add action and choose from the available options.

Control devices: Turn lights on or off, adjust the thermostat, control smart plugs and more.

Get information: Have the weather, your calendar, reminders or the news read aloud.

Play media: Start music, a podcast, the radio or ambient sounds.

Communication: Broadcast a message to all speakers in the house or send a message.

Adjust volume: Change the volume of your Google Home speakers.

Add a delay: Add a pause between actions.

Step 4: Set the order

Drag the actions into the order you want. The actions run from top to bottom.

Step 5: Save the routine

When you are happy with it, tap Save. Your routine is now ready to use.

Practical examples of routines

Here are worked-out examples you can use right away or take as inspiration.

Good morning routine

Start your day perfectly with this routine.

Starter: "Hey Google, good morning"

Actions:

  1. Turn on the bedroom lights at 30 percent
  2. Set the thermostat to 20 degrees
  3. Tell me today's weather
  4. Read the first three news stories aloud
  5. Read my calendar for today aloud
  6. Play calm music

Good night routine

End your day calmly.

Starter: "Hey Google, good night"

Actions:

  1. Turn off all lights in the house
  2. Set the thermostat to 18 degrees
  3. Tell me tomorrow's calendar
  4. Set an alarm for tomorrow morning
  5. Play relaxing sounds for 30 minutes

I'm leaving routine

Leave your home with peace of mind.

Starter: "Hey Google, I'm leaving"

Actions:

  1. Turn off all lights
  2. Turn the thermostat down
  3. Turn off smart plugs
  4. Broadcast "See you later!" to all speakers

I'm home routine

Come home to a warm, well-lit house.

Starter: "Hey Google, I'm home"

Actions:

  1. Turn on the hallway lights
  2. Set the thermostat to a comfortable level
  3. Play your favorite playlist

Movie night routine

Instantly create the perfect cinema atmosphere.

Starter: "Hey Google, movie night"

Actions:

  1. Dim the living room lights to 10 percent
  2. Turn on the TV via Chromecast
  3. Turn off other lights
  4. Silence phones with Do Not Disturb

Start workday routine

Get the best start to your work-from-home day.

Starter: "Hey Google, start my workday" or a time of 9:00 on weekdays

Actions:

  1. Turn on the desk lamp
  2. Play focus music
  3. Read your first three calendar items aloud
  4. Turn on Do Not Disturb on your speaker

Cooking routine

Make cooking more fun with the right atmosphere.

Starter: "Hey Google, I'm going to cook"

Actions:

  1. Set the kitchen lights to 100 percent
  2. Start a 30 minute cooking timer
  3. Play your favorite cooking playlist

Advanced routine tips

Want to get even more out of routines? Here are some advanced options.

Routines for households

If you have set up a household with multiple members, you can create routines that work for everyone or only for specific people.

Multiple starter commands

You can link multiple voice commands to the same routine. That way you can use both "Good morning" and "Morning" for the same routine.

Combining routines with IFTTT

For even more options, you can connect Google Home to IFTTT (If This Then That). This lets you build more complex automations that go beyond the standard options.

Location-based triggers

Some routines can be linked to your location. When you arrive home or leave, a routine can start automatically.

Managing and editing routines

After creating routines, you will sometimes want to edit or delete them.

Editing a routine

Go to Automations in the Google Home app, tap the routine you want to change and make your edits. Don't forget to save.

Temporarily turning off a routine

You can temporarily turn off routines without deleting them. This is handy during vacations or when your situation changes for a while.

Deleting a routine

If you no longer need a routine, you can delete it from the routine's menu.

Troubleshooting routines

Sometimes routines don't work as expected. Here are solutions to common problems.

The routine is not recognized

Check that you say the exact starter command. Try saying the command more clearly or more slowly. You can also choose a different command that is easier to recognize.

Devices don't respond

Check that all devices in the routine are online and available. Go to the device in the Google Home app and test whether you can control it manually.

A scheduled routine doesn't work

Check that the time zone in your Google Home is set correctly. Go to Settings and check your home's location and time zone.

Actions don't run completely

Sometimes it takes a moment for all actions to run. If needed, add delays between actions that depend on each other.

Frequently asked questions

How many routines can I create?

There is no limit to the number of routines you can create. Make as many routines as you need for your daily activities.

Can multiple people in the house use the same routines?

Yes, routines work for everyone who has access to the Google Home speakers. If you have set up voice recognition, some routines can also be personalized per person.

Do routines also work when I'm not home?

Yes, scheduled routines also work when you are not home. Voice-activated routines only work when you are within earshot of a Google Home speaker, unless you use the Google Assistant app on your phone.

Can I share routines with others?

Routines are linked to your Google account and your home in the Home app. Everyone who is a member of your household can use the routines, but you cannot export them directly to others.

Conclusion

Google Home routines are what make your smart home truly smart. By combining multiple actions into a single command, you save time and enjoy more comfort. Whether you want a simple "Good morning" routine or a complex automation for special occasions, the possibilities are endless. Start with a few simple routines and slowly build on them as you discover what works best for you. Experiment, adjust and make your home a place that really works for you.