Google Home Guides

Compared to Google Home, Google Home Mini is not just smaller or cheaper. Google Home Mini layout and buttons are also different from those of Google Home.

Although Googe Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max all have almost identical functions and features, Google Home Mini layout is substantially different from that of Google Home (and Google Home Max).

As explained in this guide, the look of Google Home and Google Home Mini is different:

• Google Home Mini is smaller;
• Google Home Mini does not have a removable base.
• Google Home Mini does not have a USB port at the bottom.
• Google Home Mini uses a different top touch panel.

The difference between the Google Home Mini layout and buttons and those of Google Home was not discussed.

In this guide, the Google Home Mini layout and buttons will be shown and explained so that you can use Google Home Mini easily.

Please note, this guide is for the 1st generation of Google Home Mini, which is slightly different from Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen Google Home Mini) as explained in this guide.  For the layout of the 2nd Gen Google Home Mini (Google nest mini), please … Read the rest

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Occasionally, you need to factory data reset Nest Audio so that all your data and settings are wiped out from the smart speaker.

Unfortunately, there is no hardware reset button on Nest Audio, and therefore, you need to use the microphone mute switch and touch control to factory data reset Nest Audio.

This Google Home guide explains when you need to factory data reset Nest Audio, how to perform a factory data reset (FDR) for Nest Audio, and answers questions you may have on resetting Nest Audio.

Please note, the method for factory data reset on different Google Home devices are not identical.  This guide applies to Nest Audio only. You should check this guide for resetting Google Home, this guide for Google Home Mini (1st Gen), and this guide for Google Nest Home Mini (2nd gen Google Home Mini).

When do you need to factory data reset Nest Audio (hard reset)?

For most owners, it is not necessary to reset Nest Audio in most scenarios.

You may need to factory data reset Nest Audio in the following scenarios:

• If you need to return or recycle Nest Audio.
• If you plan to pass the Nest Audio to someone else. Please

… Read the rest

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Although Google Home can do so many things after setting up Google Home, it only has one button.  Most of the controls are achieved through voice.

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

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

Please note, Google Home layout and buttons are different from those of Google Home Mini (including Google Nest Mini), Google Home Max, Nest Audio (2nd Gen Google Home).

For owners of Google Home Mini, please check Google Home Mini layout and buttons page. Google Nest Mini layout was explained in this guide, and Nest Audio layout in this guide.

Google Home layout: front and top view

Front and top view of Google Home is shown below.

In front of Google Home, actually, there is nothing.

In the top of Google Home, you can find:

• A touch panel.
• LED indicators (LED lights).
• Two microphones

A touch panel

The entire top surface of Google Home is a touch panel. You can swipe clockwise to increase the volume and anticlockwise to reduce the volume.

You can … Read the rest

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In the Made by Google 2019 event on October 15, 2019, Google released an updated version of Google Home Mini under the name of Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen).

Google started to brand their smart home devices under Nest in 2018. Google Home Mini actually is the last Google Home device getting the Nest brand.

As the 2nd generation of Google Home Mini, many owners and potential buyers want to know the differences and improvements of Google Next Mini (2nd Gen).

This Google Home guide compares Google Nest Mini vs Home Mini and explains the new features and some unchanged features.

The layout of Google Nest Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen) can be found here.

Google Nest Mini vs Home Mini: what’s not changed?

Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen) looks like the Google Home Mini. There are many unchanged features/design.

Price ($49)

Google Nest Mini has an identical price tag ($49) as Google Home Mini. It is one of the most affordable smart speakers in the market.

Similar to other Google smart speakers, Google (and some retailers) will very likely try to give you a free Google Nest Mini when you purchase some other products.

Some … Read the rest

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You can reset Google Home Mini by holding the reset button in the bottom of Google Home Mini.

After factory data resetting of Google Home Mini, you can then set it up as a new Google Home device with Google Home App.

The way to reset Google Home Mini is different from that for Google Home.

In Google Home, you can hold the microphone button to reset Google Home. But in Google Home Mini,  microphone button was replaced with a microphone switch, and a reset button was added.

This Google Home Mini guide explains to you when you may need to reset Google Home Mini, how to reset Google Home Mini and how to check whether you reset Google Home Mini successfully.

For Google Home owners, please check this guide on how to reset it.

Please note, the 2nd gen of Google Home Mini (Google Nest Mini) does NOT have a reset button. You have to hold the touch panel to reset Google Nest Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen) as explained in detail in this guide.

So, this guide only applies to the 1st Gen Google Home Mini. It is not applicable to … Read the rest

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After recent firmware update, Google allows you 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.

Although Google Home is used in the text, this guide applies to all Google Home products including Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Next Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen), and Google Home Max.

Why may you want to use Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker?

Google Home and Google Home Max offer decent audio quality, compared to speakers with similar sizes.

Even Google Home Mini is surprisingly loud and clear considering its compact size.

Therefore, many Google Home users may want to use Google Home as a Bluetooth speaker when playing music on the phone.

After pairing Google Home to your phone, you may not need to buy a Bluetooth speaker. This would maximize your investment in Google Home, Google Home Max or even Google Home Mini.

And you can even adjust the bass and treble for Google Home, Google Home Mini, and Google Home Max as explained in this … Read the rest

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Why you need to customize Google Home settings?

After settings up Google Home, you can start to use it immediately.

But you may not know 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 Google Home app.

In this guide, I will show 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 devices.

What are the options to customize Google Home settings?

Google Home is actually powered by Google Assistant as explained in this page.

So, to customize Google Home settings, you have the following two options to:

• customize Google Assistant, which is tied to your Google account for all Google Home devices.
• customize Google Home (and Google Assistant) settings for individual Google Home device.

These two options to customize Google Home settings work to compliment each other, both from Google Home app.

Some Google Assistant settings and customization will affect all your Google Home devices using Google Assistant.

This means if you have more than one Google … Read the rest

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What is factory data reset Google Home?

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

This state is usually referred to factory state (a state when Google Home leaves factory)

This means when you factory data reset Google Home, all settings, including linked account and connected devices are unlinked and disconnected.

In addition, your Google account associated with the Google Home device will also be disassociated.

Once the data are removed, you cannot undo it to recover any of them. You have to set up Google Home as a new device after a factory data reset (FDR).

When you need to factory data reset Google Home?

Of course, you should not consider to reset Google Home if it works normally.

However, you may have to factory data reset Google Home in following scenarios:

• the initial Google Home setup ends prematurely and it seems you cannot finish the setup process.
• you want to use Google Home in a new WiFi network.
• Google Home does not work. You may check the color of LEDs in the top touch panel.
• you plan to give away your Google

… Read the rest

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Although all Google Home devices share almost identical features and functions, Google Home Mini is different from Google Home and Google Home Max in the layout and buttons.

This means some operation and controls in Google Home Mini may be different from those in Google Home and Google Home Max.

Some how-to guides prepared for Google Home or Google Home Max maybe not applicable to Google Home Mini.

Therefore, the Google Home Mini guides section was created to host special guides for Google Home Mini.

For common features among Google Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max, you may check Google Home how-to guides section.

List of Google Home Mini guides

This is a live page. More Google Home Mini guides will be released regularly.

If you cannot find the guides for your Google Home Mini, you can leave your questions in the comment box below.

We will try to find a quick solution for you.

Here is the list of release and to-be-released Google Home Mini guides.

1. Google Home Mini vs Google Home

This Google Home Mini guide tries to explain the differences between Google Home and Google Home Mini to help you decide whether you … Read the rest

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Google Home was designed for mainstream users. Most owners will find it is easy to set up Google Home.

Actually, you can set up Google Home from a PC or any mobile devices that can run Google Home app.

In this guide, I will show you the steps involved to set up Google Home with Google Home app which is available in Android and iOS devices.

The setup process for Google Home, Google Home Mini, and Google Home max is identical. This guide applies to all Google Home devices released so far: Google Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max.

When do you need to set up Google Home?

You have to set up Google Home:

• when you get a new Google Home.
• after a factory data reset for Google Home.
• if you changed your wireless network.
• if Google Home cannot connect to the wireless network. You can find the status in the LED light colors in the top touch panel.

Please note, if a Google Home is working properly, you can change the WiFi network (if both old and new networks are available).

The setup option only appears when Google Home cannot connect to … Read the rest

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