How to Use Google Home Routines

There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of your favorite coffee when the blinds are already open. You might think that’s something only people with housekeepers can do, but you’ll be glad to know that you can do it too without paying anyone. This is all because of the Routines feature of Google Home.

Here’s everything you need to know about Routines and how to use them to your advantage.

What Are Routines?

One of the best Google Home tips and tricks you need to know is how to set up a routine. It’s a group of tasks that Google Home will do automatically when given one order or trigger. For example, you could set up a Routine that starts when you say “Hey Google, let’s get sweaty” and does the following:

• Turns the air purifier on
• Switches the lights on
• Tells you a random joke
• Play your favorite workout song

With a Routine, you don’t have to say each order one at a time. This makes it different from other Google Home commands. With just one word, it does everything you want. You can set up your Routine to start using any of the following words instead of a custom voice command:

• Time of day and date of week
• During the day’s early or late hours
• When an alert is turned off on a Google Home speaker or screen,
• When one of your smart house devices completes a certain task, (e.g., when the smart lights turn on or off)
• When there is or isn’t anyone at home

You can also initiate a Routine from the Google Home app if you’d like to try it out in advance of the designated cue.

There are six sample Routines to get you started right away. As you get ready for the day, your phone will give you updates on the weather, today’s schedule, reminders, impending birthdays, battery life, and the news as part of the Good Morning Routine.

The Bedtime Routine can do things like charge your phone, play white noise to help you nod off, and set an alert for you. Additional options for Routines include: Leaving Home, I’m Home, Leaving Work, and Commuting. While these Routines are pre-made, they can be modified to fit your specific requirements with little effort.

How to Use Google Home Routines

Here’s how to create a Routine to use.

Create a New Personal Routine

Individual habits are tailored specifically to each individual. You can use Google Home to get to your own Google accounts, like your calendar and notes.

You and your loved ones may share a Google Home, but your personal Routines are yours alone to create, modify, view, and activate. Here’s what you need to do to establish your own unique Routine:

1. Launch the Google Home app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Tap on Routines on the home screen.
3. Select the plus icon in the bottom-right corner.
4. Choose Personal.
5. Tap on the title of the Routine and enter a name for it.
6. Tap on the Add starter button.
7. Select a trigger for your Routine.
8. Tap on the Add action button.
9. Select your actions of choice from the list. If you didn’t find one, you can add a custom action by selecting the Try adding your own button.
10. Once done, select the Save button.