Google Home app Archives

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Spotify is broken for Google Cast devices, and there’s no easy fix yet

Spotify has acknowledged a widespread issue affecting its Android app, where users are unable to see Google Cast devices like Chromecast and Nest speakers in the Spotify Connect menu. This problem, first reported in 2024, has been discussed on community forums and affects only Spotify, as other streaming services continue to work properly. Spotify's moderators are investigating the issue, but no timeline for a resolution has been provided. Users can temporarily regain functionality by rolling back to earlier versions of the app, specifically versions 9.1.40.1486 and 9.1.42.1107, available on APKMirror. Users are advised not to reboot their networks unnecessarily while waiting for a fix from Spotify.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Google Home’s latest update fixes the worst part of smart cameras

Google is set to unveil a comprehensive update to the Google Home app in Spring 2026, featuring a complete overhaul focused on speed, performance, and a more intuitive interface. The update includes faster performance, smoother scrolling, and a modernized camera experience. AI integration will allow cameras to collaborate for clearer narratives, with features for swiping between views, resizing the video player, and skipping clips using 10-second jump buttons. Gemini 3.1 will enhance the voice assistant, enabling users to execute complex, multi-step commands in a single request. The app will also feature a revamped event details page, improved frame rates, and reduced lag, with Google Home Premium users receiving Gemini-generated event summaries. The camera settings menu will be simplified, consolidating all "seen" and "heard" events onto a single page. Additional home automation features will allow users to manage kitchen appliances, control robot vacuums, check smart lock statuses, and monitor battery levels. The "Ask Home on Web" feature will enter Public Preview, enabling users to search camera history, check device statuses, and set up automations from their desktops.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Google Home’s latest update fixes the worst part of smart cameras

The Google Home app will receive a significant update in Spring 2026, focusing on enhanced performance and a more intuitive interface. The update will improve smart camera functionality, allowing cameras to work together for a clearer understanding of home events, and will feature a revamped event details page for easier navigation of recorded footage. Google Home Premium users will receive Gemini-generated event descriptions for older Nest cameras, and the camera settings menu will be simplified. The voice assistant will be upgraded to Gemini 3.1, improving reasoning capabilities for complex commands. Additionally, a new "Ask Home on Web" feature will enable users to manage devices and automations from their desktops. Privacy considerations regarding AI-generated summaries of home footage will also be a factor for users.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Workspace account? No problem; Google Home rolls out support for you, too

Google has rolled out support for Workspace accounts within its Home app, allowing users to set up the latest Nest devices and invite others for collaborative device control. The update includes improvements to the AI's responsiveness, reducing lag time by approximately 30% to 40% and enhancing its ability to understand user commands. Users should be aware that access to certain features may depend on their Workspace account settings, and they are advised to consult their administrator for assistance if issues arise.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Google’s Gemini for Home is finally useful enough to not drive you crazy

Google is updating its Gemini-powered home assistant to enhance user experience by providing concise responses and executing common commands up to 40% faster. Users will now receive straightforward confirmations for actions like setting alarms. The assistant can set timers based on real-world events and chain multiple commands while providing updates on timers. Gemini now supports 30 languages, enabling real-time translation for smoother conversations. The Google Home app includes new automation tools for triggering actions based on conditions and creating personalized routines. New AI features like “Help me create” and “Ask Home” simplify automation processes. Google is expanding access to these features to 14 additional countries, including Canada, which now has full support. Some features require a Google Home Premium subscription, and users may experience delays in receiving updates.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

March builds on Google Home automations, expands Nest’s Yale Lock support

Google Home is implementing significant updates in March, including improvements to the Gemini voice assistant's interaction with smart home devices through room-level commands. Users can now issue commands like "turn off the kitchen," targeting specific devices. The update introduces new automation triggers, such as "Security system is armed" and "Device is plugged in." Google is also expanding its partnership with Yale Smart Lock, allowing users to view lock history and receive notifications through the Google Home app. The Gemini update enhances voice assistant capabilities, utilizing users' home addresses for contextually relevant responses, and improving accuracy for commands related to notes, reminders, calendars, and alarms. Additional features include enhanced responses for informational queries, fewer interruptions during speech, increased reliability for automations, improved accuracy in playing new songs, and a new “Live Search” feature for Google Home Premium subscribers. A software patch for Nest Wifi Pro is also set to enhance security and performance. Gemini for Home was first unveiled in late 2022, with early access starting in October, and users have reported positive experiences with features like "Ask Home."

AppWizard

January 26, 2026

Google Home is finally making devices easier to add

Google has introduced a new feature in the Google Home app that allows users to manually search for smart home devices when QR code scanning or automatic pairing fails. The feature, labeled "Add a different way," includes a curated list of supported brands and a search bar for easier device location. The updated pairing flow also incorporates device images for visual confirmation. This feature is being rolled out with the Google Home app version 4.6.55.1 and will reach a broader user base shortly. Users are advised to update their app to access the new feature, which may be rolled out gradually.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

Google Home app update finally makes moving devices from Nest app less painful

Google updated its Google Home app on December 10, allowing users to transfer multiple Nest devices from the Nest app to the Google Home app with a single tap. This update simplifies the process, which previously required transferring devices one at a time. Users can now transition Nest cameras, thermostats, locks, and smoke alarms from 2015 into the Google Home ecosystem. This feature is part of Google's strategy to consolidate Nest devices within the Google Home app and is currently available only to users in the Google Home Public Preview program.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Google just killed a key Home app feature, and parents are going to miss it

Google has removed the "Call Home" button from the Google Home app, a feature introduced in 2019 that allowed users to connect with their smart displays from smartphones. This change disrupts communication for many users, particularly parents, who relied on it to check in on their children. The only alternative now is to use Google Meet, which requires setting up unique Google accounts for each device, making it cumbersome. Google has not provided a clear explanation for the removal, and users are left uncertain about the future of the "Call Home" feature.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Google’s Gemini App Revamp: Inside the Android Redesign Reshaping AI Interfaces

Google has updated its Gemini app for Android, introducing a redesigned homepage, a true black dark theme, and a new ‘My Stuff’ feature. The update aims to enhance user experience by making interactions more intuitive and organized, following a previous redesign in September. The gradual rollout starts with select users on Android. The black dark theme is optimized for OLED screens, reducing eye strain and improving battery efficiency. The ‘My Stuff’ hub centralizes user-generated content, addressing organization issues from earlier versions. The update aligns with Google’s broader AI strategy, integrating with services like YouTube and Google Maps. The app now supports better organization tools, including a refreshed conversation view. Users have praised the dark theme and streamlined interface. Analysts suggest these updates could be pivotal in the AI race, enhancing Gemini's competitiveness against rivals like OpenAI. Some users have noted minor rollout delays, indicating a need for wider availability.