- On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Google released its latest update summary, “What’s new in Google Home,” detailing new features and improvements rolled out for Google Home-related services.
- The voice assistant for “Gemini for Home (Early Access)” has expanded its supported range of voice commands, including media controls.
- In the “Google Home” app’s “Automations” editor, items such as “Starters,” “Conditions,” and “Actions” can now be sorted alphabetically.
On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, local time, Google released “What’s new in Google Home,” the latest update summary detailing new features and improvements rolled out for the smart home service “Google Home.”
This edition of “What’s new in Google Home” announces several updates, including the expansion of voice commands that support media control for the “Gemini for Home (Early Access)” voice assistant, bug fixes and improvements regarding alarms and list creation/editing, and enhancements within the “Google Home” app’s “Automations” feature—such as hiding private routines set by third parties and enabling alphabetical sorting in the automation editor screen.
Release notes for 2026
Gemini for Home (Early access)
Voice Assistant
- Expanded capabilities and understanding for media controls: Gemini on speakers and displays now understands a broader range of voice commands across media and home device controls. And, you can now combine media commands with other commands to get things done faster.
Try saying:
- “Turn off the lights and stop the music.”
- “Skip this song and turn on the backyard lights.”
- “Stop captions on this video.”
- Addressed issues impacting alarms and lists: We’ve recently addressed issues that were impacting some users’ ability to create and edit alarms and lists. We also corrected an issue in our Settings UI to make it clear that Google Keep continues to be a supported app.
Google Home App
Automations
What’s new in Google Home – Google Nest Help
- Third-party automation privacy: The app now respects visibility restrictions configured in third-party partner applications, keeping private third party app routines from cluttering your home automation list.
- Alphabetical sorting in the automation editor: Starters, conditions, and actions in the automation editor are now sorted alphabetically, helping you find specific device capabilities quickly.
“Gemini for Home (Early Access)”
The voice assistant powered by Google’s AI “Gemini” on “Google Home” smart speakers and displays is now capable of recognizing a broader range of voice commands related to media and home device controls, alongside additional bug fixes and improvements.
Voice Assistant
Media control commands can now be combined with other voice control commands.
You can now combine media control commands with other voice commands to give instructions all at once—such as “Turn off the lights and stop the music,” “Skip this song and turn on the backyard lights,” or “Stop captions on this video”—allowing you to operate smart home appliances and more, more efficiently than before.
Bug Fixes / Improvements
Issues that were affecting some users’ ability to create and edit alarms and lists have been resolved.
Additionally, the settings screen UI has been revised to clearly display that Google Keep remains a supported app.
“Google Home” App
Improvements related to the automation feature “Automations” have been rolled out in the Android and iOS versions of the “Google Home” app.
“Automations”
Visibility restrictions configured within third-party partner apps are now respected on the “Google Home” app side as well.
As a result, private routines set by third-party apps are prevented from appearing in the “Automations” list within the “Google Home” app. Furthermore, items such as “Starters,” “Conditions,” and “Actions” in the automation editor can now be sorted alphabetically.
“Google Home” App Links
Source: Google