How to play Netflix shows on your TV using Google Home

If you have a Google Home, you were already able to throw YouTube videos to your TV or stream music on a speaker in another room using your voice. But now, it's even smarter.

A new feature rolled out a few days ago that lets you cue up your favorite shows or movies on Netflix by asking Google Home. Here's how to get it set up.

Connect your Netflix account

Much like with music services on Google Home, you will need to link your Netflix account to be able to send shows and movies to a nearby Chromecast device. To connect your Netflix account:

• Open the Google Home app on your Android or iOS device.
• Open the Devices menu by tapping the icon in the top right of the app or by tapping the three-line "hamburger" button in the top left and selecting Devices from the left menu.
• Next, open the Google Home settings menu by tapping the action overflow button in the top right corner and selecting Settings.
• Tap More and scroll down and select Videos and photos.
• Under Netflix, tap Link. Then select Link Account.
• Enter your Netflix login credentials and tap Sign in and Link.

This link doesn't seem to take the first time you login, so you may need to login twice for the connection to be established.

Your Netflix account should now be linked to your Google Home. If at any point you need to unlink your account or add a different Netflix account, go back to the Videos and photos menu and select Unlink under the Netflix section.

In this menu, you can also enable Google Photos , but only for the account you used to sign in to your Google Home.

How to cue up Netflix shows and Photos using Google Home

Calling up a Netflix show using the Home isn't all that different than throwing music from Spotify or YouTube videos to your TV. You can say something along the lines of: "OK Google, play 'Stranger Things' on [Chromecast name]."

In most cases, Google Assistant does a good job of determining what it is you want you watch. For instance, it understands that when you say, "Hey Google, play 'Parks and Rec' on [Chromecast name]," you want to watch the show "Parks and Recreation."

However, when saying "OK Google, play 'Friends' on [Chromecast name]," it played a funny "Friends" compilation video from YouTube. When this happens, you have to specify where you want the request to pull from, such as: "OK Google, play 'Friends' on Netflix on [Chromecast name]."

If your TV supports CEC, the best part is that speaking any of these commands will power on the TV before cuing up Netflix, YouTube or music streaming. This is a benefit of the Chromecast itself. But paired with Google Home, it can help you avoid having to purchase an expensive Harmony remote just to turn on the TV with your voice.