Google Home – Control Smart Home Devices with the Favorites Widget

Category: Google Home → Mobile App Features

Overview

The Google Home Favorites Widget lets you control and monitor your most-used smart home devices directly from your phone's Home screen without opening the Google Home app.

The widget can display devices such as lights, cameras, thermostats, smart plugs, locks, and other compatible smart home products.

Requirements

Before using the Favorites Widget, you must have:

• Google Home app installed
• At least one Google Home configured
• Compatible smart home devices added to Google Home
• Android 12 or later, or iOS 17 or later
• Latest version of the Google Home app

Create a Home

If you have not already created a home:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Add.
3. Select Home.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Complete setup.

Note: You can create up to 5 homes in a single Google account.

Configure Favorites

Before adding the widget, select the devices you want displayed.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Scroll to Favorites.
3. Tap Edit.
4. Select the devices and controls you want displayed.
5. Tap Save.

Reorder Favorites

1. Tap Reorder.
2. Drag devices into your preferred order.
3. Tap Save.

Add the Favorites Widget

Android

1. Press and hold an empty area on the Home screen.
2. Tap Widgets.
3. Locate Google Home.
4. Select the Favorites Widget.
5. Drag the widget onto your Home screen.
6. Choose the desired widget size.

Choose Widget Controls

After placing the widget on your Home screen, choose how devices are displayed.

Option 1: Sync Favorites

Use the same Favorites list from the Google Home app.

Benefits:

• Automatically updates when Favorites change.
• Easier to manage.
• Consistent across devices.

Option 2: Custom Widget

Create a unique list of devices for the widget.

Benefits:

• Different devices than the app Favorites list.
• Multiple widgets can contain different devices.
• Does not affect Home app Favorites.

Edit Widget Settings

You can modify the widget at any time.

Available options include:

• Change displayed devices
• Reorder devices
• Switch homes
• Resize widget
• Sync Favorites
• Create custom device lists

Change the Home Used by the Widget

1. Open Widget Settings.
2. Select Choose Home.
3. Select the desired Google account.
4. Choose the home you want to control.
5. Save your changes.

Resize the Widget

1. Touch and hold the widget.
2. Release your finger.
3. Drag the resize handles.
4. Adjust the widget size.
5. Tap outside the widget when finished.

Control Devices from the Widget

Devices with Quick Controls

Many devices can be controlled directly from the widget, including:

• Lights
• Smart plugs
• Switches
• Blinds
• Some smart appliances

Tap the device tile to turn it on or off.

Devices That Open in Google Home

Some devices require the Google Home app to open for additional controls, including:

• Cameras
• Thermostats
• Wi-Fi devices
• Command tiles

Tapping these devices launches the Google Home app.

Security Features

Sensitive devices require additional authentication before access is granted.

Examples include:

• Smart locks
• Garage doors
• Security cameras

This helps protect your home from unauthorized access.

Troubleshooting

Widget Not Updating

1. Verify internet connectivity.
2. Open the Google Home app.
3. Confirm devices are online.
4. Refresh the widget.
5. Restart your phone if necessary.

Devices Missing from Widget

1. Open Google Home.
2. Tap Favorites.
3. Select Edit.
4. Verify the device is selected.
5. Save changes.

Widget Not Appearing

1. Update the Google Home app.
2. Confirm your device meets minimum OS requirements.
3. Restart your phone.
4. Re-add the widget.

Quick Reference

Google Home App
→ Favorites
→ Edit
→ Select Devices
→ Save
→ Add Widget
→ Control Devices from Home Screen