The Google Home and Nest ecosystems are excellent for building a capable, automated smart home, but automations are necessary to master them. Automations are simply preset commands that trigger actions when certain conditions are met. For example, instead of using your voice to tell Google to turn on the lights at sunset, an automation can execute that command at sunset daily without you having to lift a finger.
However, the process for building automations in the Google Home app might seem daunting at first. There are so many options, and the more smart home devices you own, the more options you’ll see. Luckily, Google redesigned the automations editor in the Home app, and it’s easier than ever to use. You can create your own smart home automations from scratch or use Gemini to generate them using AI. Whichever way you prefer, this is how to do it.
What’s new about building automations in the Home app?
Google has been rebuilding the Home app from the ground up to fit the Gemini era for a while now. It first redesigned the UI and introduced Google Home Premium, a new AI-powered smart home subscription that replaced Nest Aware. Now, Google has a new automations editor. It gives the editor a facelift while adding new automation elements.
For example, there’s expanded support for Security & Access control. You can add automation building blocks for arming or disarming security systems, door lock monitoring, and status-based starters for binary sensors. Additionally, you get better appliance support, such as start, stop, pause, and resume actions. Switches can now be used to trigger initial presses, long presses, and release events as starters. Robot vacuums can be instructed to dock, pause, or resume as part of an automation.
It’s a big update with a new look and even better functional upgrades. If you haven’t tried Google Home automations yet, now is the time to give them a shot.
How to build automations in the Home app
Your Google Home will work fine without any custom automations, but automations are what make your smart home truly feel “smart.” With the redesigned automations editor in the Home app, it’s easier than ever to start automating your smart home. You can either build them from scratch yourself or have Gemini create them for you. Here’s how to get started.
1. Open the Google Home app. If you have more than one household, select the one you want to automate.
2. Switch to the Automations page to view all your current automations. Then, tap the + at the top of your screen to create a new one.
3. Press Automation in the list.
4. Now, you’re greeted with the new Automation editor in the Google Home app. You can add a name and a description, then start building your automation with Starters, Conditions, and Actions.
5. Starters are a crucial part of your automation. They determine what will trigger the automation. You can choose a Device, Presence, “Hey Google”, or Schedule as the starter for the automation.
6. Nest, move to Conditions. These are optional requirements that must be met for the automation to run, in addition to the Starter. You can set conditions using Presence, Date, Time, or a Device.
7. Finally, you need Actions. These dictate what the automation will do. You can select Broadcast, Device, Notify, Time Delay, or Ask Google as Actions.
8. When you’re finished, tap Save to activate the automation.
Each type of Starter, Condition, or Action has a variety of options based on the smart devices in your home. If you only have smart lights, you won’t be able to use the same building blocks as someone with Nest cameras, for instance. If you’re overwhelmed by the automation builder, read on to learn how to create automations instantly with Gemini.
How Gemini can help you make smarter automations
Gemini offers a Help me create mode in the Google Home app. The way it works is simple — describe the automation you want to build, and Gemini will create it for you. You’ll still have the option to manually edit or delete it before saving. It’s a simpler way to build automations than using the manual blocks. You can take Gemini’s suggestions or use them as a starting point for further refining your automation.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Google Home app. If you have more than one household, select the one you want to automate.
2. Switch to the Automations page to view all your current automations. Then, tap the + at the top of your screen to create a new one.
3. Press Automation in the list.
4. Now, you’ll again see the new Automation editor in the Google Home app. This time, tap Help me create to start using Gemini.
5. Tap Describe what you want your home to do to give Gemini a natural-language prompt telling it what you want from your automation.
6. Alternatively, tap one of the suggestion chips to try having Gemini create a pre-generated automation.
7. After using dictation or typing to enter a prompt, hit the Send icon.
8. When Gemini creates your automation, either press Ask again or Continue.
9. Now, you’ll see a preview of your AI-generated automation. You can add or edit the Starters, Conditions, or Actions. When finished, hit Save to finalize and activate the automation.
You now have a working automation created with Gemini, and you can repeat the process for any other automations your smart home needs.
Why you should use automations in Google Home
Automations take the burden off your shoulders of remembering to manually give your smart home commands. They start actions automatically based on pre-set conditions, saving you time and effort.
Now that the Google Home app supports more versatile automations, your smart home actions can be automated in new ways. With Gemini, AI can do the heavy lifting of building automations.
The smart home hub
Google’s Nest Hub Max is the definitive smart home controller for anyone in the Nest or Matter device ecosystems. It integrates excellently with the Google Home app and works with any automations you create.