How to connect Google Home to your Mac

Need to know:

• Go to home.google.com to check your connected smart home devices.
• Download an Android emulator to run the Google Home app on your Mac.
• Create a standalone window for the Google Home web portal for an app-like feel.
• Cast from your Mac to your Google Home speakers or displays.

The Google Home® app is the typical way to control your smart home devices, but it’s not the only way. You can view your devices and control basic smart home features on most internet-enabled devices, including your Mac®.

There are actually a few different ways to connect to Google Home on a Mac. At Asurion, we’ve tried them all, so we can walk you through the best options—no matter what you’re looking for. Our tech experts have helped millions of customers take advantage of all the features of their devices. Try these approaches to connect Google Home to your Mac.

Control your home from a web browser

While there is no Google Home app for Mac, you can still use your Mac with your Google Home devices. The easiest option is simply using the official Google Home web portal, home.google.com. From there, you can sign in to your account, view your connected cameras, and even control basic smart home features without downloading anything.

Use any web browser you prefer to visit the web portal. While you’re at it, you might want to change your default browser on Mac so that links always open in your preferred browser.

The Google Home for web interface is best for viewing camera feeds of connected indoor or outdoor security cameras from anywhere with an internet connection. If you want the full setup controls for smart home devices, you are better off with the mobile Google Home app.

Run the mobile app using an emulator

You don’t necessarily need to put the Google Home app on your smartphone or other mobile device. What if you could put an Android® device on your Mac and download the mobile app onto that? That’s exactly what an Android emulator offers.

An Android emulator is software that simulates an Android device with its own operating system on a different device. It’s like having an Android smartphone within your computer, so you can use an Android emulator to install the full Google Home mobile app on your Mac.

There are plenty of different Android emulators out there, including Genymotion and BlueStacks. Choose one that’s user-friendly and has a strong reputation if you decide to go this route. Only download software from trusted organizations to avoid malware.

Alternatively, you can use an app like WebCatalog to transform the Google Home web portal into a standalone desktop app. When you click on the icon, you’ll enter a dedicated window for the Google Home web portal, creating more of an app-like feel.

Cast media from your Mac to Google devices

Sometimes, you don’t want to control your Google smart home devices with your Mac—you just want to use them together. For example, you may want to play audio from your Mac through your Google smart speakers. The good news is that making this connection is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Check that your Mac is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Google device. If the device is on the 2.4GHz band of your Wi-Fi, your Mac needs to be, too.
2. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Mac.
3. Begin playing the audio or video that you want to play on your Google Home device. If your content is in an app, not a web browser, try opening a version in Google Chrome instead. For example, use Spotify on Chrome instead of the Spotify app for Mac.
4. Open the three-dot menu.
5. Select Cast, Save, and Share.
6. Choose Cast. It may take a moment for Chrome to pull up a list of devices you can connect to.
7. Choose the device you want to connect to. Your content should start playing on the connected Google device.
8. When you want to end the connection, choose Cast> Stop Casting.

This method also works to connect a MacBook to a TV that's Chromecast® enabled.

If the connection isn’t working, check your Wi-Fi and update Google Chrome. When Chrome restarts, try the steps to cast media to your Google device again. You can improve your home internet speed to reduce lag when streaming content, with or without your Google devices.