How to Control Android TV with Google Home

Edited 14 hours ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Have you ever wanted to control your Android TV with just your voice? With the integration between Google Home and Android TV, it's now not only possible but also quite easy to set up. Google Home and its virtual assistant can interact with a wide range of devices, including your Android TV. This means that once you've set everything up, you can simply speak to your Google Home device to control your TV - whether you want to adjust the volume, change channels, or even turn it on or off.

The basics of Google Home and Android TV

Before we dive into the process, it is essential to understand what these tools are and how they generally work:

• Google Home: This is a smart speaker with Google Assistant built in. It can perform a variety of tasks, from answering simple questions to controlling smart home devices like lights, thermostats, and TVs.
• Android TV: This is a version of the Android OS specifically designed for digital media players, set-top boxes, soundbars, and TVs. It allows users to stream content, download apps, and even play games on the big screen.

When these two devices work together, magic happens. Through Google Assistant, Google Home can send voice commands to your Android TV, making the entertainment experience more intuitive and hands-free.

Preparing your devices

Before you start controlling your Android TV with your Google Home, you need to complete a few steps:

1. Make sure both your Android TV and Google Home device are set up and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Make sure you're signed in using the same Google account on each device. This account synchronization is important for compatibility.
3. Make sure you have the Google Home app installed on your mobile device. You'll need it for initial setup and configuration. It's available on both the iOS and Android app stores.
4. Confirm that your Android TV supports Google Assistant, as not all models may have this functionality.

Link your device

The next step is to connect your Android TV to Google Home via the Google Home app. This process establishes the connection, allowing voice commands to be recognized and executed:

1. Open the Google Home app on your smartphone.
2. Tap the + icon on the top left corner.
3. Select Set up devices, then select Set up new devices in your home.
4. Select your home or create a new home if asked.
5. The app will search for available devices. When your Android TV appears in the list, select it.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the setting.

After completing these steps, your Google Home and Android TV should be linked. You now have the setup to control your Android TV with voice commands via Google Home.

Using Google Voice Commands

Once connected, you can perform a variety of tasks on your Android TV using just your voice. Here are some basic commands you can try:

• Turn your TV on/off: “Hey Google, turn on the TV” or “Hey Google, turn off the TV”.
• Change the volume: "Hey Google, turn up the TV volume" or "Hey Google, mute the TV volume."
• Open apps: "Hey Google, open Netflix on TV."
• Play specific content: "Hey Google, play Stranger Things on TV."
• Pause and resume: “Hey Google, pause TV” or “Hey Google, resume playing”.

Note that the specificity of voice commands can sometimes vary depending on the brand and model of your device. Therefore, you may need to experiment with phrases to find out which one works best.

Troubleshooting common problems

While Google Home and Android TV generally work together smoothly, you may encounter some problems. Below are some common problems and their solutions:

Device not found

If your Android TV doesn't appear in the Google Home app during setup:

• Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Restart both your Android TV and Google Home.
• Make sure your Google Home app is up-to-date.

Voice commands not working

If Google doesn't recognize your commands:

• Double check the linking process. Sometimes re-linking can help.
• Confirm that your Google Assistant has the necessary permissions.
• Make sure your microphone is turned on and working properly.

Playback problems

If the playback commands don't work as expected:

• Check the availability of apps or content on your Android TV.
• Make sure the software for each device is the latest available version.

Advanced features

In addition to the basic commands, there are more advanced features you might want to explore:

Routine automation

You can set up routines through the Google Home app that comes with your Android TV. For example:

• Set up a routine for “Movie Time” that turns on the TV, dims the smart lights, and opens Netflix automatically.

Multiple users

Voice Match functionality allows different users to receive personalized services through the same Google Home device:

• Different users in a home can train the Google Assistant to recognize their voice and deliver personalized results, including content suggestions for Android TV.

Conclusion

Controlling your Android TV with Google Home brings modern convenience to your living space and enriches your entertainment experience. By following the steps above, you can enjoy seamless integration between your devices. Whether you're adjusting the volume, launching an app, or watching your favorite show, the ability to do it all hands-free is just a few simple steps away. Voice control makes everything user-friendly, providing an easy way to navigate complex menus or multiple streaming services.

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