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Managing a smart home can be overwhelming, but Google’s Home app offers a solution with its smartphone widget. This feature provides quick access to your smart devices directly from your home screen without the need to open the Google Home app. Here’s how I got access to this feature and how you can too.
How to Activate Google Home’s Widget Feature
The widget initially rolled out as part of Google’s Public Preview program in May 2024, but appears to be available more widely now. If you still don’t have access to the feature, you can still join the preview program. You will also need toensure your Android smartphone is updatedto at least Android 12, while iPhone users need to be at least on iOS 16 and have the latest version of Google Home app installed.
You can join the public preview by following these steps:
It will take some time for your account’s request to be accepted (it took less than an hour for me). Once joined, you will receive a confirmation message that you have successfully joined the Public Preview. You will also see that a Preview icon (flask) has been added onscreen on your smartphone app and the Google Home web app.
If the steps above don’t work, check if your account is signed in to Google Groups. If so, tap onSettings, selectGlobal settings, and make sure to tick theAdd me to their groupsoption before hittingSave.
How to Set Up Smart Devices With the Google Home Widget
You can now start using the Google Home widget on your home screen by doing the following:
After placing the widget, you’ll be prompted to select which devices or actions to display. You can choose to sync with your Favorites from the Home app or customize the widget with specific devices.
To add and manage smart devices with the widget:
The widget will automatically update to reflect yourFavorites, providing quick control over your most-used devices. You can resize the widget to display more or fewer devices, accommodating your home screen layout.
I added a few smart lights, my 3D printer, and a smart dehumidifier. But I mostly use it with my smart lights.
The Limitations of Google Home’s Widget Feature
While it’s great that there’s finally a widget for the Google Home app, it does feel limited in several aspects, such as:
Despite these limitations, I personally find the Google Home widget a helpful feature that I use daily. Yes, it’s mostly an on and off switch for your devices, but even that can be a lot more convenient in certain circumstances.
For example, when I use voice commands, it sometimes takes five to ten seconds just to turn on a light, whereas using the widget takes less than five seconds—and it’s consistent.
Additionally, I find that having the widget on my home screen makes it more convenient to use than a smart hub. I can be outside the house and still have control of my smart lights and plugs, without the need to raise my voice, move near the hub, or shuffle through my phone to open the app. With the widget readily available on my home screen, it truly does feel like I’m holding a remote.
By integrating the Google Home widget into your smartphone, you’re able to simplify the management of your smart home devices, making your daily interactions more seamless and efficient. It may end up becoming one of thebest Google widgets to add to your Android smartphone’s home screen.
