Google Home is a powerful platform that makes it easy to organize your smart home. Thousands of devices are compatible with the software, giving you the ability to control many (and possibly all) of your devices from a single smartphone app. But as your smart home grows, there’s always the chance that you’ll want to get rid of your older gadgets. And unfortunately, sometimes it can be difficult to remove these from Google Home.
Thankfully, the process isusuallyquite simple. There are a few quirks to work around, but once you know the roadblocks, it’s easy to work around them and quickly clean up your Google Home account. Ready to remove a device from Google Home? Here’s a look at how it’s done, regardless of your Wi-Fi network.
How do I remove a device from Google?
To remove any devices from your Google Home account, you’ll need to open Google Home and tap on the device you want to remove. This will bring you to the screen for that device. Near the top of the screen, you’ll see aSettingscog icon. Tap thecog iconto see a menu of options for that device. At the bottom of the list, tapRemove Device. Your device will be removed from Google Home.
If you don’t seeRemove Device, it may have been linked through a third-party app. This requires a bit more work — and it could be a bit of a headache. Read on to see how to remove those types of devices.
Why can’t I remove a device from my Google account?
If your device has been linked through a third-party app (SmartHome,Philips Hue,robot vacuums, Kasa, etc.), you’ll need to unlink it before you’re able to delete it from Google Home. Open the Google Home app, scroll down to the device you wish to remove, and tap it. Near the top of the screen, you’ll see aSettingscog icon. Tap that icon, and you’ll enter a menu of options for that device.
Near the bottom of the list, you should seeUnlinkand the name of third third-party app. Tap that entry, and a dialog box asking you to confirm will appear. You may also be able to access these settings by going into your vacuum’s app (for example), seeking out Google settings, and unlinking from there.
Note that when you unlink that app, you’ll lose functionality for all devices you’ve linked through that app. So if you have six TP-Link plugs, you have to unlink all of them, then re-add the ones you wish to keep (as well as re-linking the TP-Link app). It’s baffling as to why you’re able to’t simply remove a single device without un-linking the app and removing all the other units from that company. Another common ask ishow to add multiple users to Google Home, which isn’t hard to do.
How do I manage devices on Google Home?
Once you’ve linked or set up a device through Google Home, you’re able to control it in a few different ways. Google has aLightsbutton that gives you quick access to all light devices you’ve set up. (Note: If you have a lamp plugged into asmart plug, Google Home won’t consider it a “light.”) There’s also aMediabutton that lets you quickly start the music, radio, podcasts, or videos, and you can select which device to launch that media. Use theBroadcastbutton to send a message to other devices/family members, and theRoutinesbutton will take you to yourroutines.
If you scroll down the Google Home main screen, you’ll see your devices listed by room. To access a device, tap on it, and you’ll see whichever controls the device maker has given you via Google Home.
Google Home app has made some big improvements and changes in recent years, giving owners a lot more functionality and options for a lot more settings and preferences, too. If you’re still on the fence about getting aGoogle Nest AudioorGoogle Home Hub speaker with screen, read our reviews to learn more about what these devices can do for you.
