Google Home App Adds 20 New Automation Features

Google has launched a significant update to its Home app, introducing approximately 20 new starters, conditions, and actions that enhance the flexibility and precision of smart home automations. The changes, announced by Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Gemini for Home, allow users to create more responsive routines for devices like lights, appliances, and security systems. The update began rolling out this week to Android and iOS versions of the app, starting with version 4.6.55.1 for Android.

At the core of the update are expanded triggers and checks that enable automations to react to real-time states in the home. Users can now set routines based on media playback on TVs or speakers, such as when content is playing, paused, or buffering, along with specific volume levels or screen brightness thresholds. For instance, lights can automatically dim to a set level, like 50 percent, when a TV begins streaming a movie. Smart appliances gain similar awareness: routines can monitor whether a washer or dryer is running, stopped, paused, or encountering an error, triggering notifications or follow-up actions, such as an announcement when a cycle completes.