Google Home Guides

Google Home Guides are our first collection of how-to guides for the first generation of Google Home speaker.

So, do not confuse this section with the whole website, which covers Google Home, Nest Audio (2nd gen of Google Home), Google Home Mini, Google Nest Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen), Google Home Max, Google Home Hub, Nest Hub, Nest Hub 2nd Gen.

The Google Home guides in this section are dedicated to special features of the Google Home speaker.  Some features which are shared with other Google Home devices are usually covered in the how-to sections of this website.

About Google Home Guides

Google Home may refer to two different things:

  1. The first generation of Google Home speaker (smart speaker).
  2. The family of Google’s smart speakers and displays.
  3. Google Home app (originally Chromecast app), which manages Google’s smart speakers and smart displays.

Google Home Guides@GadgetGuideOnline covers all three of them.

In this section, however, Google Home refers to the first one only. In other words,  Only the first-gen Google Home speaker is covered in these guides.

Google Home Mini (include Google Nest Mini, aka Google Home Mini 2nd Gen) and Nest Audio are covered in different sections: Google Home Mini guides and Nest Audio guides.  Google Home Hub and Nest Hub are covered in the Nest Hub guides section.

The shared features among Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Nest Mini, Google Home Max, Nest Audio, Google Home Hub, Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max, and Nest Hub 2nd Gen are usually covered in the Google Home How-to guide sections. A few of them any be listed twice in the relevant sections.

Using Google Home Guides

Google Home guides usually include two parts:

  • Background info of the feature (what it is, why to use and when to use…) in simple language so that everyone can understand it easily.
  • Detailed how-to steps with screenshots to demonstrate how to use the feature properly and effectively.

If you are in a hurry, you can pick up what you want. For example, if you want to know the steps of using the feature, you may skip the background information part.

Of course, we recommend you to read the guide thoroughly so that you not only know how to use the feature but also understands the feature.

In the first part of each guide,  there is a table of contents (TOC) section. It can help you navigate through the guide, especially when you are on a small screen.

You can share your thoughts, tips and tricks related to the feature in the comment section of each guide.

List of Google Home Guides (for the 1st Gen of Google Home speakers)

We add new guides to this list after we test them. So, this is a live page.

If you cannot find the guide you want or if you have any questions that are not covered by the published guides, you may let us know them in the comment box. We may expedite the release of the relevant guides. At the same time, the community may help you get the answer or solution.

This is the list of published or coming-soon Google Home guides (for the 1st Gen of Google Home speakers).

1. Google Home layout and buttons

The touch panel and LED colour also play an important role in using Google Home.

This guide shows you the Google Home layout, functions of individual parts and how to change the base of Google Home.

Read on to get to know Google Home speaker now…

2. Meaning of Google Home LED lights (and colours)

You can understand the status of Google Home by checking the LED lights (and colours).

This guide explains why you should know the meaning of Google Home LED lights and the exact meaning (and possible implications) of all LED lights pattern on Google Home.

Read on to learn the meaning of Google Home LED lights

3. How to set up Google Home with the Google Home app?

There are a few ways to set up Google Home. For example, you can set it up from a PC, or an Android device, or an iOS device.

This guide shows you the steps involved to set up Google Home with the Google Home app, which is available on Android and iOS devices.

Read on to learn to set up Google Home with the Google Home app now …

4.  How to factory data reset Google Home?

Factory data reset (FDR) Google Home means you let Google Home roll back to a state that is identical to a new Google Home.

You cannot use your voice or Google Home app to factory data reset (FDR) Google Home. But you have to use the microphone (mute) button.

This guide explains when and how to factory data reset (FDR) Google Home speaker.

Read the guide to learn how to reset the Google Home speaker now …

5. How to rename Google Home?

When you set up Google Home, the app asks you to specify the location/room of the Google Home device. By default, your Google Home will be named as XXX room Home.

You can personalize any Google Home device with a preferred name. This guide shows you how to rename your Google Home device.

Read on to learn to rename Google Home

6.  How to customize Google Home settings?

You can customize Google Home settings to meet your needs and to get more from your Google Home. All customization for Google Home settings can (and must) be done through the Google Home app.

This guide shows you how to customize Google Home settings (and Google Assistant settings), and what the options are for all Google Home devices and what are for individual Google Home speakers.

Read on to start to customize Google Home settings

7. How to change Google Home WiFi network settings?

Google Home can only save one WiFi network info, and you may have to change Google WiFi network settings if you change your WiFi network.

Sometimes, you may have to factory data reset the Google Home due to WiFi network changes.

This guide explains when you can change Google Home WiFi network settings without reset Google Home, how to change network settings for Google Home, and when you have to reset the device.

Read to learn to change Google Home WiFi network settings

8. How to use Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker?

You can easily pair Google Home with your smartphones, tablets, or other devices through Bluetooth and then use Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker. The audio will then be routed to Google Home.

Google also allows you to connect Google Home to other Bluetooth speakers so that the audio output can be diverted from Google Home to other Bluetooth speakers.

This guide explains to you how to use your Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker and how to connect Google Home to other Bluetooth speakers.

Read on to learn to use Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker

9.  How to adjust the equalizer (EQ) of Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max, Google Home Hub, Nest Audio, and Nest Hub?

You can boost or cut the bass and treble for your Google Home devices to get desired audio effects.

This Google Home guide explains what an equalizer is, when you may want to adjust the equalizer of Google Home (including Nest Audio), Google Home Mini (including Google Nest Mini),  Google Home Hub (including Nest Hub, Nest Hub 2nd Gen), and Google Home Max, and how to adjust the EQ for your Google Home devices.

Read to learn to adjust the equalizer (EQ) of Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max, Google Home Hub, Nest Audio, and Nest Hub …

10. 3 methods to change Google Home volume and how to silence Google Home

There are 3 different methods to change Google Home volume: use the touch panel, use your voice, and use the Google Home app. You can also silence Google Home in 4 different ways.

These methods apply to all Google Home speakers, including Home Mini and Nest Audio.

This guide shows you the 3 methods to change Google Home volume and 4 ways to silence Google Home.

11. How to create and use Google Home speaker pair (stereo pairing)?

You can pair two Google Home speakers, including Google Home, Nest Audio, Google Home Mini, and Google Nest Mini (aka Google Home Mini 2nd Gen), to create a speaker pair for stereo sound.

This Google Home guide explains what the speaker pair is, the difference between it and the speaker group, the requirements to pair two Google Home speakers, the limitations and caveats of when pairing two Google Home speakers, how to pair two Google Home speakers and how to separate them. Some questions you may have on pairing two Google Home speakers are also answered.

Read to learn to pair two Google Home speakers as a stereo pair

#. And many more …

Other Google Home Guides

This page is dedicated to some special features of Google Home speakers. You can find other Google Home (Nest) devices in other sections:

Do you have any questions about Nest Hub?

If you have any questions on Nest Hub, or if you need any Nest Hub guides, please let us know in the comment box below.

The community will try to help you.

You may also ask questions on our Facebook page.

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