Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (2024)

You can use Google Assistant to ask questions and complete task on your:

  • Speaker
  • Smart Display
  • Smart Clock

Tip: Not all Google Assistant devices work the same. For device-specific instructions, contact your manufacturer.

Languages you can use

Important: Some features aren't available in all languages or countries and regions.

On speakers, the Google Assistant is available in:

  • Chinese (Simplified)
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Hindi
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Norwegian
  • Portuguese (Brazilian)
  • Spanish
  • Swedish

On Smart Clocks, you can use the Google Assistant in:

  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Norwegian
  • Spanish
  • Swedish

What you need

  • A speaker, Smart Display, or Smart Clock with the Google Assistant built in.
  • Version 2.12.5 or up of the Google Home app Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (1).
  • Version 8.10 or up of the Google Assistant app Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (2).
  • Google Account.
  • A phone or tablet that:
    • Has Android version 5.0 or up (mobile) or Android version 6.0 or up (tablet).
    • Has its language set to an option listed above.
    • Works with a 5-GHz Wi-Fi network.
      • Tip: This isn’t available in WPA2-Enterprise network
    • Has Bluetooth on.
  • An internet connection and private wireless network.
  • For Smart Displays: If you already use Duo for video calling, make sure Duo is signed in with the same Google Account as your Smart Display.

Get started

  1. Plug in your Google Assistant device.
  2. Get the latest version of the Google Home app and Google app:
    • Go to Google Home app page, then tap Install or Update.
      • If it shows "Installed," you already have the latest version.
    • Go to Google app page, then follow the same steps.
  3. Make sure your device has Android 5.0 or up. Learn how to check and update your Android version.
  4. On your mobile or tablet, open Google Home app Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (3).
  5. Follow the on-screen steps.

Tip: If you don’t find the steps to set up your device, at the bottom left, tap Home Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (4)Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (5) Add Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (6).

Fix issues during setup

Can’t find Google Assistant device in the Home app

Restart the Home app

  1. Close the Google Home app Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (7).
    • Learn how to close apps.
  2. Open the Google Home app Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (8).

Setup freezes or can’t finish

Restart your device

  1. Unplug your device.
  2. After 10 seconds, plug it back in.

Factory reset your device (Smart Displays)

On the top of your Smart Display, press and hold the volume up and volume down buttons for 20 seconds.

Your device restarts the setup process.

Learn about the lights on your speaker

You can tell what your speaker is doing or its status by its lights.

Choose your device

The colors of the lights and how they move depend on the device. To learn what the lights on your device means, choose your device below.

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (12)
Google Home Google Home Mini (1st gen) or Nest Mini (2nd gen) Google Home Max Google Nest Audio Other speakers that work with "Hey Google"

Google Home

Google Assistant

Description of lights What this means

Multi-colored lights spin clockwise and pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (14)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" and is waiting for your question or command.

Learn what you can ask Google Assistant.

Multi-colored lights continuously spin clockwise

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (15)

Google Assistant is thinking.

Multi-colored lights continuously pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (16)

Google Assistant is responding.

4 solid orange lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (17)

The microphone is off. Google Assistant can't detect "Hey Google" or respond.

To turn the mic on or off, on the back of Google Home, press the microphone mute button.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

Learn more on Data security and privacy on Google devices.

Setup

Description of lights What this means

4 white lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (18)

Google Home is ready to set up.

Learn how to set up your device.

4 blue lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (19)

Google Home needs to be verified by you.

4 white lights spin clockwise

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (20)

Google Home is connecting to Wi-Fi.

White lights light up from top to bottom

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (21)

Google Home is downloading an update.

6 white lights spin clockwise

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (22)

Google Home is installing an update.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

System

Description of lights What this means

White and multi-colored lights spin and blink

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (23)

Google Home is booting up.

Orange lights countdown

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (24)

Google Home is confirming that you want to perform a factory reset.

Learn how to factory reset your device.

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (25)

An alarm is ringing.

Learn how to set and manage alarms.

White lights spin

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (26)

A timer is ringing.

Learn how to set and manage timers.

One solid white light shows for about 10 minutes

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (27)

Google Home is reminding you that a notification is available. To getthe notification, say "Hey Google, what's up?."

Learn how to turn notifications on or off.

Volume

Description of lights What this means

One centered white light appears when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (28)

The volume is muted.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

1 to 10 white lights appear when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (29)

The volume level is 1 to 10.

Error

Description of lights What this means

6 solid orange lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (30)

An update is taking longer than expected.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

Google Home Mini (1st gen) or Nest Mini (2nd gen)

Google Assistant

Description of lights What this means

4 white lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (31)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" and is waiting for your question or command.

Learn what you can ask Google Assistant.

4 white lights flash and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (32)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" but didn't recognize a question or command.

If you meant to make a request, try again.

White lights continuously run left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (33)

Google Assistant is thinking.

White lights continuously pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (34)

Google Assistant is responding.

4 white lights flash twice and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (35)

Google Assistant understands your request but didn't respond verbally. For example, after you say "Next" while a song is playing.

4 solid orange lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (36)

The microphone is off. Google Assistant can't detect "Hey Google" or respond.

To turn the mic on or off, next to the power cord, slide the mic switch.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

Learn more on Data security and privacy on Google devices.

Setup

Description of lights What this means

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (37)

Your speaker is ready to set up.

Learn how to set up your device.

4 solid blue lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (38)

Your speaker needs to be verified by you.

White lights run back and forth

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (39)

Your speaker is connecting to Wi-Fi.

White lights light up from left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (40)

Your speaker is downloading or installing an update.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

System

Description of lights What this means

Google Nest Mini: Depending on your device color, multi-colored or white lights light up from left to right

Google Home Mini: Multi-colored lights light up from left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (41)

Your speaker is booting up.

Google Home Mini only: Orange lights countdown

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (42)

Your speaker is confirming that you want to perform a factory reset.

A reset is confirmed when there are 4 orange lights.

Learn how to factory reset your device.

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (43)

An alarm or a timer is ringing.

Learn how to:

  • Set and manage alarms
  • Set and manage timers

One solid white light shows for about 10 minutes

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (44)

Your speaker is reminding you that a notification is available. To get the notification, say "Hey Google, what's up?."

Learn how to turn notifications on or off.

Volume

Description of lights What this means

4 dim white lights flash when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (45)

The volume is muted.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

1 to 4 white lights show when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (46)

The volume level is 1 to 10.

Google Nest Mini only: Lights up as your hand gets close to the device when music is playing

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (47)

Nest Mini detected a hand.

Error

Description of lights What this means

2 solid red lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (48)

An update is taking longer than expected.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

Google Home Max

Google Assistant

Description of lights What this means

4 white lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (49)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" and is waiting for your question or command.

Learn what you can ask Google Assistant.

4 white lights flash and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (50)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" but didn't recognize a question or command.

If you meant to make a request, try again.

White lights continuously run left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (51)

Google Assistant is thinking.

White lights continuously pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (52)

Google Assistant is responding.

4 white lights flash twice and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (53)

Google Assistant understands your request but didn't respond verbally. For example, after you say "Next" while a song is playing.

4 solid orange lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (54)

The microphone is off. Google Assistant can't detect "Hey Google" or respond.

To turn the mic on or off, on the back of Google Home Max, slide the mic switch.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

Learn more on Data security and privacy on Google devices.

Setup

Description of lights What this means

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (55)

Google Home Max is ready to set up.

Learn how to set up your device.

4 solid blue lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (56)

You need to verify Google Home Max.

White lights run back and forth

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (57)

Google Home Max is connecting to Wi-Fi.

White lights light up from left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (58)

Google Home Max is downloading or installing an update.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

System

Description of lights What this means

Multi-colored lights light up from left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (59)

Google Home Max is booting up.

Orange lights countdown

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (60)

Google Home Max is confirming that you want to perform a factory reset.

A reset is confirmed when there are 4 orange lights.

Learn how to factory reset your device.

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (61)

An alarm or a timer is ringing.

Learn how to:

  • Set and manage alarms
  • Set and manage timers

One solid white light shows for about 10 minutes

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (62)

Google Home Max is reminding you that a notification is available. To get the notification, say "Hey Google, what's up?"

Learn how to turn notifications on or off.

White lights quickly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (63)

Google Home Max is skipping a track.

Learn how to control music on your device.

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (64)

Google Home Max is pairing with another speaker for stereo sound.

Learn how to pair two speakers for stereo.

Volume

Description of lights What this means

4 dim white lights flash when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (65)

The volume is muted.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

1 to 4 white lights show when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (66)

The volume level is 1 to 10.

Error

Description of lights What this means

2 solid red lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (67)

An update is taking longer than expected.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

Google Nest Audio

Google Assistant

Description of lights What this means

4 white lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (68)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" and is waiting for your question or command.

Learn what you can ask Google Assistant.

4 white lights flash and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (69)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" but didn't recognize a question or command.

If you meant to make a request, try again.

4 white lights pulse quickly

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (70)

Google Assistant is listening.

White lights continuously run left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (71)

Google Assistant is thinking.

White lights continuously pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (72)

Google Assistant is responding.

4 white lights flash twice and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (73)

Google Assistant understands your request but didn't respond verbally. For example, after you say "Next" while a song is playing.

4 solid orange lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (74)

The microphone is off. Google Assistant can't detect "Hey Google" or respond.

To turn the mic on or off, next to the power cord, slide the mic switch.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

Learn more on Data security and privacy on Google devices.

Setup

Description of lights What this means

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (75)

Your speaker is ready to set up.

Learn how to set up your device.

4 solid blue lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (76)

Your speaker needs to be verified by you.

White lights run back and forth

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (77)

Your speaker is connecting to Wi-Fi.

White lights light up from left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (78)

Your speaker is downloading or installing an update.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

System

Description of lights What this means

White lights light up from left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (79)

Your speaker is booting up.

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (80)

An alarm or a timer is ringing.

Learn how to:

  • Set and manage alarms
  • Set and manage timers

One solid white light shows for about 10 minutes

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (81)

Your speaker is reminding you that a notification is available. To get the notification, say "Hey Google, what's up?"

Learn how to turn notifications on or off.

Volume

Description of lights What this means

4 dim white lights flash when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (82)

The volume is muted.

Learn how to control your device by touch.

1 to 4 white lights show when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (83)

The volume level is 1 to 20.

Error

Description of lights What this means

2 solid red lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (84)

An update is taking longer than expected.

Learn how to troubleshoot device updates.

Other speakers that work with "Hey Google"

Google Assistant

Description of lights What this means

4 white lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (85)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" and is waiting for your question or command.

Learn what you can ask Google Assistant.

4 white lights flash and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (86)

Google Assistant detected "Hey Google" but didn't recognize a question or command.

If you meant to make a request, try again.

White lights continuously run left to right

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (87)

Google Assistant is thinking.

White lights continuously pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (88)

Google Assistant is responding.

4 white lights flash twice and then fade

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (89)

Google Assistant understands your request but didn't respond verbally. For example, after you say "Next" while a song is playing.

4 solid orange lights

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (90)

The microphone is off. Google Assistant can't detect "Hey Google" or respond.

System

Description of lights What this means

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (91)

Your speaker is ready to set up.

Orange lights countdown

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (92)

Your speaker is confirming that you want to perform a factory reset.

A reset is confirmed when there are 4 orange lights. For more info on how to factory reset your speaker, reach out to the device manufacturer.

White lights slowly pulse

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (93)

An alarm or a timer is ringing.

Learn how to:

  • Set and manage alarms
  • Set and manage timers

Volume

Description of lights What this means

4 dim white lights flash when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (94)

The volume is muted.

1 to 4 white lights show when you make a volume control gesture

Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (95)

The volume level is 1 to 10.

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Post to the help community Get answers from community members
Set up your Google Assistant device - Android (2024)

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