In today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to simplify and streamline our daily routines is more important than ever. Enter Google Assistant routines, a powerful tool designed to make your life more efficient and convenient by automating a series of actions with a single voice command or scheduled event. Today, we’ll explore the world of Google Assistant routines, how to set them up, and how to customize them to fit your unique needs.
Contents
What Are Google Assistant Routines?
Google Assistant routines are a series of automated actions that can be triggered by a single voice command or scheduled to occur at specific times. These routines enable users to streamline their daily activities and interactions with smart devices, making their lives more efficient and convenient.
By linking multiple tasks together, such as adjusting smart home settings, playing music, or providing weather updates, routines allow users to perform a wide range of actions with minimal effort. Google Assistant offers several pre-built routines, such as “Good Morning” or “Bedtime,” which can be customized to suit individual preferences.
Additionally, users can create their own custom routines tailored to their unique needs and schedules. Overall, Google Assistant routines simplify the process of managing various tasks and devices, providing a seamless and personalized smart home experience.
How to Use Google Assistant Routines
Until fairly recently, the only option that you would have to create and use Google Assistant Routines was to create a Personal Routine. However, here are the options that you now have, along with Google’s description of each:
- Personal Routines: You create and edit Routines for yourself.
- Household Routines: Any home member can create and edit Routines that work for everyone in the home.
With that in mind, here are the steps you’ll need to take if you want to create a Personal Routine on your Android phone:
- Unlock your phone.
- Activate Google Assistant.
- Tap the Explore icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap your Profile picture in the top right corner.
- From the drop-down menu, tap Settings.
- Under the Popular Settings section, tap Routines.
- Tap the New button in the top right corner to start from scratch.
- Select Personal.
- Tap the Pencil icon next to “Untitled” to change the name of your new Routine.
- Tap the Checkmark button in the top right corner to confirm the name.
- Select how the Routine will start by tapping the + Add starter button.
- When I say to Google Assistant (Like “Hey Google, start…”)
- At a specific time (Like 6:00 PM on weekdays)
- At sunrise or sunset (Like 1 hr before sunrise)
- When an alarm is dismissed (Like on a smart speaker or display)
- Select which actions will be performed during the Routine by tapping the + Add action button.
- Get info and reminders (Latest weather, your commute, reminders)
- Communicate and announce (Make announcements, send and read texts)
- Adjust Assistant Volume (Set volume when Routine is run)
- Adjust Home Devices (Adjust lights, plugs, thermostats, and more)
- Adjust Phone Settings (Mute ringer, turn on Do Not Disturb, and more)
- Play and control media (Play your favorite music, news, and more)
- Try adding your own (Experiment with custom actions)
- If applicable, scroll down and tap Delay Start if you want to use a Time Adjustment action.
- Follow the on-screen instructions for creating and setting the action that you want to use.
- Once complete, tap the Save button in the bottom right corner.
Create a Household Routine
Sharing your custom automation with other household members is a highly convenient approach to maximizing the benefits of a Google Assistant-powered smart home. After setting up your smart lights and other devices, let’s explore the process of creating and utilizing Google Home Household Routines:
- Open the Google Home app on your Android phone or iPhone.
- In the bottom toolbar, tap Automations.
- Tap the + Add button in the bottom right corner to create a new Household Routine.
- From the Choose a type of Routine page, tap Household.
- Tap the Pencil icon next to “Untitled” to change the name of your new Routine.
- Select how the Routine will start by tapping the + Add starter button.
- Select which actions will be performed during the Routine by tapping the + Add action button.
- Once complete, tap the Save button in the bottom right corner.
How to create a shortcut for a Google Assistant Routine
While it’s nice being able to access, create, and use Google Assistant Routines, the company doesn’t make it exactly easy to do so out of the box. However, Google has made it possible for you to add a shortcut to the Routines landing page, along with specific Routines that you might want to access from your Home Screen.
- Unlock your phone.
- Activate Google Assistant.
- Tap the Explore icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap your Profile picture in the top right corner.
- From the drop-down menu, tap Settings.
- Under the Popular Settings section, tap Routines.
- Scroll down to the Your routines section.
- Select the Routine that you want create a shortcut for.
- Tap the Phone with an arrow icon in the top right corner.
- When prompted, tap the Add button.
If you don’t want or need shortcuts to specific routines, but would prefer to access your Routines without jumping through a bunch of hoops, you’re in luck. There’s also a Phone with an arrow icon in the top right corner from the main Routines landing page. Just tap this, then tap the Add button to confirm that you want to add the shortcut to your home screen.
How to delete a Google Assistant Routine
Whether you want to change things up or just want to get rid of created Routines, it’s nice knowing that you have the ability to do so. The steps are pretty easy, but it’s important to point out that you can only delete a Google Assistant Routine if you created it yourself. This means that the pre-popular options can’t be deleted, but they can be edited and modified to your needs.
- Unlock your phone.
- Activate Google Assistant.
- Tap the Explore icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap your Profile picture in the top right corner.
- From the drop-down menu, tap Settings.
- Under the Popular Settings section, tap Routines.
- Scroll down to the Your routines section.
- Select the Routine that you want to delete.
- Tap the Trash Can button in the top right corner.
- When prompted, tap the Delete routine button.
Conclusion
Google Assistant routines are an incredibly versatile and powerful tool for simplifying your daily life and managing your smart home devices. By taking the time to set up and customize your routines, you can create a more efficient and personalized experience that saves you time and effort. So, why not give Google Assistant routines a try and see how they can transform your daily routine?