How to control your lights and electrical outlets with Google Assistant

Google Assistant, on your smartphone or via a compatible connected speaker, can control almost all types of lighting in the home. To do this, the first solution is to acquire compatible bulbs, such as those offered by Philips, with its Hue or Innr range. It is easy to find models with large screws (E27) or narrower (E14), in “spot” format (GU10), available in white (see here) or in color (customizable, see here).

However, these connected bulbs may have trouble matching with more sophisticated or vintage design lamp models. In this case, the solution is to keep your traditional bulbs but to connect the luminaire to the electrical network via a connected socket. This solution has the advantage of being discreet, but you also cut yourself off from the two main contributions of connected bulbs: the dimmer, and the color change (for compatible models).

>>> Read also – Guide: all you need to know about Google Assistant

Step 1: Install your connected lights

To communicate with Google Assistant or your compatible connected speakers, you must necessarily install your connected bulbs via a bridge. That of Philips can control the bulbs of the same brand, but also the Innr models. It is thanks to this bridge that Google Assistant will be able to manage the bulbs that you want to control by voice.

Start by installing the bulbs in their respective sockets, then keep them on during the configuration phase. Connect the bridge to an electrical outlet, then connect it to one of the free RJ45 ports on your router, then install the Hue app for Android or iOS. Follow the installation instructions, then name each bulb in your installation as you see fit.

Step 2: Associate your lights or electrical outlets with your Google Assistant account

On your smartphone, connect to the same local network as the Philips Hue bridge (or competitor) then launch the Google Home app. From the side menu, select “home control”, tap the “+” icon at the bottom right of the screen, then find Philips Hue in the list of compatible services. Tap on the icon then enter your Philips credentials. Your bulbs then appear in the interface. Here you can give them a nickname different from their name chosen in the Philips app, and assign them a room.

If you have opted for electrical outlets instead, know that Google Assistant recognizes many models of outlets, including those of brands unknown or almost on the French market. We recommend the model of the Horsky brand, unearthed on Amazon and which offers excellent value for money (see the model). Once the outlets have been installed via the manufacturer’s instructions, head to the “home control” entry, then select the service from the list of supported platforms (for Horsky, choose “Smart Life”). The outlets then appear in the interface of the Google Home application.

Step 3: master the essential commands

See your bulbs and sockets in the Google Home app? Then you are ready! Here are the main commands to know:

You use smart bulbs:

• Switch on a light: “Ok Google, turn on [pseudo de l’ampoule]”
  • Example : “Ok Google, turn on the living room light”
• Turn off a light: “Ok Google, turn off [pseudo de l’ampoule]”
  • Example: “Ok Google, turn off the kitchen light”
• Lower the intensity of a light bulb : “Ok Google, drop [pseudo de l’ampoule] of [n] % ”]
  • Example: “Ok Google, dim the living room light by 20%”
• Change the color of a bulb: “Ok Google, put [pseudo de l’ampoule] in [couleur]”
  • Example: “Ok Google, turn the kitchen light on red

You are using connected sockets:

• Activate a socket: “Ok Google, turn on [pseudo de la prise]”
  • Example: “Ok Google, light the tree”
• Switch off an outlet: “Ok Google, off [pseudo de la prise]”
  • Example: “Ok Google, turn off the coffee maker”

>>> Read also – Guide: all you need to know about Google Assistant