TL;DR
Google Home's first update of 2026 adds 20 new starter conditions and actions to let users build more granular automations. The changes arrive in Google Home 4.6.55.1 for Android via a staged rollout, with more triggers and actions promised in the coming weeks.
What happened
Google announced an expansion of automation capabilities in the Google Home app, introducing 20 new starter conditions and actions to let users craft more detailed routines. The additions, unveiled by Anish Kattukaran (Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Gemini for Home), include media-related triggers such as playback state and volume level, brightness-level conditions, and the ability to check the operational state of certain smart appliances. New actions let users control individual devices (turn on/off), arm a security system (disarm not included), operate blinds, control robot vacuum states (pause, resume, dock), and start/stop or pause supported appliances. Some appliance controls are limited to select devices like washers, dryers, and coffee machines, and remain unsupported on smart ovens, robot vacuums, and robot mops. Google says additional triggers and actions will arrive in the next few weeks. The feature set is rolling out as part of Google Home 4.6.55.1 on Android and may take time to appear for all users.
Why it matters
- More granular triggers let users create automations tied to media playback and exact volume or brightness levels, enabling context-aware routines.
- New appliance controls move Google Home toward managing a broader set of household devices beyond basic on/off commands.
- Built-in actions like arming a security system and controlling blinds reduce reliance on third-party integrations or manual steps.
- A staged rollout and promised follow-up updates indicate this is an evolving platform feature rather than a one-off release.
Key facts
- Google added 20 new starter conditions and actions to the Google Home app.
- Announcement credited to Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Gemini for Home.
- New starters include media playback state, media device volume level, brightness thresholds, and smart appliance state (running, paused, stopped, error).
- New actions include turning specific devices on/off, arming a security system (no disarm yet), opening/closing blinds, and controlling robot vacuum states.
- Smart appliance start/stop/pause is supported for select devices like washers, dryers, and coffee machines.
- Controls are currently unsupported on smart ovens, robot vacuums, and robot mops.
- The update is delivered in Google Home version 4.6.55.1 for Android.
- Rollout is staged; the update may not appear on all phones immediately.
- Google said more triggers and actions will be released in the next few weeks.
What to watch next
- Availability of the new automations across all users as the staged rollout completes.
- The additional triggers and actions Google has promised to deliver in the coming weeks.
- iOS availability and web or Nest integration status: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Trigger (Starter Condition): A specific event or state that starts an automation, such as media playback starting or a device reaching a set brightness.
- Action: A task the smart home system performs in response to a trigger, like turning a device on or arming a security system.
- Staged rollout: A phased distribution method where software updates are released to subsets of users over time rather than all at once.
- Smart appliance: A household device with network connectivity and programmable states, such as washers, dryers, or smart coffee machines.
- Media playback state: The status of media on a device, e.g., playing, paused, buffering, or not playing.
Reader FAQ
How many new starters and actions did Google add?
Google added 20 new starter conditions and actions.
Which app version includes the new features?
The changes are part of Google Home version 4.6.55.1 for Android.
Can Google Home now disarm a security system?
No — the update adds the ability to arm a security system but disarm is not available yet.
Are smart ovens and robot mops supported by the new appliance controls?
No — support for smart ovens, robot vacuums, and robot mops is currently not available.
Will these automations appear on iOS at the same time?
not confirmed in the source
Google Home just unlocked a whole new level of automation Credit: Lucas Gouveia/Android Police By Rajesh Pandey Published 24 minutes ago Rajesh started following the latest happenings in the world of…
Sources
- Google Home just unlocked a whole new level of automation
- Google Home update improves automations for robot …
- Google Home just made its automations a lot more powerful
- Google Home
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