Google Home – Set Up and Manage Household Contacts

Category: Google Home → Communication & Calling

Overview

Household Contacts allow members of your home to quickly call important people using compatible Google Nest speakers and displays.

Once configured, household contacts can be called by voice command or directly from supported Nest displays. Household contacts are visible to anyone with access to the device, including guests and users without Voice Match.

Important

• Available only in the United States.
• Available only in English.
• Only the Home owner who created the Google Home household can manage Household Contacts.
• Compatible calling services must already be configured.

What Are Household Contacts?

Household Contacts are commonly used contacts that anyone in the home can quickly call.

Examples:

• Parents
• Grandparents
• Children
• Caregivers
• Emergency family contacts

Once added, contacts can be called by name or nickname.

Set Up Household Contacts

Using the Google Home App

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap your Profile Picture.
3. Select Home Settings.
4. Tap Communication.
5. Select Household Contacts.
6. Choose a contact to add.

If the contact does not appear:

1. Tap Add Person.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Save the contact.

Set Up Household Contacts on a Nest Display

1. Say:

"Hey Google, set up household contacts."

2. Select the contacts you want to add.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Save your selections.

If a contact is not listed:

1. Tap Can't Find Someone?
2. Add the person manually.
3. Complete setup.

Set Up Household Contacts on a Speaker

1. Say:

"Hey Google, set up household contacts."

2. A notification appears on your phone.
3. Open the notification.
4. Follow the setup instructions.
5. Save your contacts.

Add Contact Nicknames

Nicknames make calling easier.

Example

Instead of:

"Call Robert Johnson"

You can say:

"Call Grandpa"

Add a Nickname

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Profile Picture.
3. Select Home Settings.
4. Tap Communication.
5. Select Household Contacts.
6. Choose the contact.
7. Enter a nickname.
8. Tap Save.

Make a Call

From a Speaker

Say:

"Hey Google, call [contact name]."

or

"Hey Google, call [nickname]."

From a Display

Say:

"Hey Google, call [contact name]."

You can also:

1. Open the Household Contacts card.
2. Select the contact.
3. Tap Call or Video Call.

Remove a Household Contact

Using the Google Home App

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Profile Picture.
3. Select Home Settings.
4. Tap Communication.
5. Select Household Contacts.
6. Tap the remove icon beside the contact.
7. Confirm removal.

Using a Nest Display

1. Open the Household Contacts card.
2. Select the contact.
3. Tap Remove.
4. Confirm removal.

Voice Command

Say:

"Hey Google, remove household contact."

Follow the prompts.

Troubleshooting Calls Going to Voicemail

Sometimes calls may appear as coming from an unknown number.

If the recipient blocks unknown callers:

• Calls may go directly to voicemail.
• The recipient may need to allow calls from unknown numbers.
• Contact carrier settings may need adjustment.

Privacy and Important Information

Before enabling Household Contacts, understand:

• Anyone with access to the display can view and call household contacts.
• Phone numbers may be visible on supported displays.
• Calls may appear to originate from the Home owner.
• Call activity may appear in the Home owner's account activity history.

Note for Families

Children using supervised Google Accounts may have calling restrictions depending on account settings and available calling services.

Quick Reference

Google Home App

Profile Picture
→ Home Settings
→ Communication
→ Household Contacts
→ Add Contact

Call Contact

"Hey Google, call Mom"

"Hey Google, call Grandpa"

"Hey Google, call Sarah"

Remove Contact

Home Settings
→ Communication
→ Household Contacts
→ Remove