The Google Home app is your go-to command center when it comes to automating and managing your Google-powered smart home. The app acts as a kind of registry for whatever smart devices you have connected to your home Wi-Fi and even lets you view notifications, set reminders, and more.
If it’s a smart device powered by Google Assistant and connected to your home network, you can control it through the Google Home app.
Can you use the Google Home app on a PC?
Available exclusively for iOS and Android devices, you won’t find a dedicated desktop app for running your Google smart home on your Mac or PC. That said, there are a few workarounds you can implement, allowing you to add Google Home’s intuitive features to your computer of choice. Read on to learn how.
Use Google Home through your Chromebook
While your run-of-the-mill desktop doesn’t feature onboard support for the Google Home app, those using a Chromebook can download and use the application as they would on a regular mobile device — and it’s all possible via the Google Play Store.
To get started, go into the Settings menu of your Chromebook. Click Apps, find the Google Play Store tab, then click Turn On. Now all you have to do is head into the Google Play Store on your Chromebook, download the Google Home app, and launch it.
Because the building blocks of Chrome OS and Android are pretty close in nature, you’ll be able to use the Google Home app to do everything you normally do on your mobile device — including device controls, routine building, and casting — but through your Chromebook.
Put Google Chrome to the test
If you’re already using Google Chrome as the default web browser for your PC or Mac and are looking to add Google Home functionality to your desktop, you’ll be glad to know that you can use Google Chrome to unlock the casting and streaming features that are built into the
To do so, you’ll first want to ensure that your desktop is running the latest version of Chrome. Next, with the Chrome browser launched, you can either click the More icon (three vertical dots) or right-click a blank section of your webpage. Then, click Cast, followed by your device of choice.
While you won’t be able to use Google Chrome for Google Assistant or any kind of device customization for the hardware on your network, the casting function will allow you to send audio and video from your desktop to certain Google Home devices on your network.
Try an Android emulator
Did you know that you can mimic your phone or tablet’s Android operating system to your desktop? With programs like Bluestacks, you can enjoy the look, feel, and functionality of your phone’s
To get started, download Bluestacks for your PC or Mac, then launch the program. During setup, you’ll be prompted to enter Google Play Store credentials for downloading apps. After entering this info, go into the Play Store, search for Google Home, and click Install.
When you launch the Google Home app, you’ll be prompted to enter your Google account info, at which point the rest of your installation will mirror that of
The nice thing about Bluestacks (minus the ads) is that Google Home will perform exactly the same way it does on the mobile gear the app is designed for.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install the Google Home app on Windows 10?
While there’s no official Google Home app built for Windows, Mac, or Linux desktops, you can download an Android emulator to mimic the functionality of the
Can you control all Google Home devices from your PC?
With programs like BlueStacks installed on your machine, you’ll be able to control and customize smart home devices exactly as you would on the Google Home app proper.
Can you use Google Home as a speaker for a PC?
The Google Home app can’t be used as a speaker for your PC, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. If you own a Nest speaker, you can easily connect the speaker to your desktop using Bluetooth.
Can you use Google Assistant on a PC?
Similar to the Google Home app, there’s no official Google Assistant app for desktop computers. That said, there exists an unofficial Google Assistant that you can download to add the voice assistant to your PC. Keep in mind that the process for installing this backend solution is a bit complex, and we can’t promise how well it will actually work.
