How to use Google Home shortcuts
Google has introduced an easier way to issue complicated or long commands to your Google home speaker, it's calling the new feature Shortcuts.
And it's sort of like a text expander for your voice.
Here's how to make your own Google Home Shortcuts, when texting from your phone you may not always want to type out, On my way So you might create a text replacement, where you type O-M-W instead.
Then when you hit space, it expands to the full text.
Shortcuts for Google Home work very similarly by allowing you to say a short phrase instead of a long convoluted command.
Rather than saying, OK Google, turn off all the lights, you might just wanna say, OK Google, Goodnight or if your home has strong of finding a certain song and thus you ask for it, in a very specific way, you might wanna say okay, Google play my favorite song instead, you can also just just customize make men feel more natural or easier to save To create a shortcut open Google Home and tap the hamburger button in the top left to expand the menu.
Select more settings then scroll down and tap shortcuts.
Google preloaded eight example shortcuts to give you an idea of how you might want to use them.
Tap on any of them to edit or press the plus sign in the bottom right to create a new shortcut.
If you've created any IFT applets for Google Assistant the setup will look quite familiar.
Type a short phrase that you want to use for the short cut.
Optionally you can add several different versions of that phrase.
For instance, in addition to work time you might use get to work or do work.
In the bottom text field type out the full command that Google Home should use when you use the shortcut.
For example for work time you would write something like turn on the office light or turn on the focus music on Spotify.
Unfortunately shortcuts are a little too simple.
You would imagine they would allow you to string multiple commands together, they don't.
And I'm like what if you can create a work around for that by using the same short phrase across several shortcuts to connect multiple commands to a single phrase?
That is a missed opportunity.
What you can do is create a simple phrase that plays your favorite show on the TV without having to specify which Chromecast to play it on or that the shows on Netflix every time.
Or you can send a text message to someone when you're running late.
Again for such uses, Shortcuts are fairly useful and a step in the right direction.
For more Google Home how tos and other tips and tricks be sure to check out CNET.com/howto.
Up Next
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Up Next
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
How to Make a GPT in ChatGPT-4
How to Make a GPT in ChatGPT-4
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
How to Access AI on Your Apple Watch
How to Access AI on Your Apple Watch
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Living With Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 3 Months Later
Living With Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 3 Months Later
Trash Gobbling Robots Cleaning Lake Tahoe and Beyond!
Trash Gobbling Robots Cleaning Lake Tahoe and Beyond!
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Rabbit R1: Here's What It Can Actually Do
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Review: Same Look, but Better Sound and USB-C
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Latest How To All how to videos
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
How to Install Windows 11 on M-Series Mac Computers
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra