Google Assistant Commands - Everything You Need To Know - Android

The Google Assistant is an ever-evolving digital assistant from Google, and it already has a ton of commands that you can use to get things done. And in this post, we'll be listing every single command that you can give the Google Assistant. These commands will work on any Google Assistant device. Whether that's a [...]

Read More...

The post Google Assistant Commands: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Android Headlines.

The Google Assistant is an ever-evolving digital assistant from Google, and it already has a ton of commands that you can use to get things done. And in this post, we'll be listing every single command that you can give the Google Assistant.

These commands will work on any Google Assistant device. Whether that's a Nest Mini, Nest Hub Max, your Android smartphone, or even your Chromebook. As the Google Assistant is mostly the same across the entire platform. The biggest difference is whether it has a display or not. So on a Nest Mini, you'll only get an audio response, while on a Nest Hub Max, you will get a visual response as well.

Calling on the Google Assistant

Let's start at the beginning. To call on the Google Assistant, you'll need to give out a specific command. This can be either "OK Google" or "Hey Google" or something similar. Basically if you just say something about "Google", you'll get the Google Assistant's attention.

This works on any device that is always listening. Now if you turned off the microphone on your Sonos One (and have Google Assistant set up on it), then saying "Hey Google" isn't going to work. You'll need to turn on the microphone and then talk to the Assistant.

One thing that sets the Google Assistant apart from its competitors, is that it understands human language. So you don't need to say these commands word for word every time. Like instead of saying "OK Google, how's the weather", you can say "OK Google, weather" and it'll give you the same response. So you don't need to remember specific commands for Google Assistant which is really useful.

Basic Commands

Now that we've talked about how to get the Google Assistant's attention, it's time to go over some basic commands. Here are some pretty basic commands that will work on any Google Assistant device.

• Ask Google for help: "OK, Google, help."
• Adjust the volume: "OK, Google, turn it up," "OK, Google, louder" or, "OK, Google, turn it to 11." (Yes, the max is 11.)
• Command to halt an action: "OK Google, stop," "Pause" or, "Be quiet."

Your Day

These are commands that you can use to learn about your day. From checking your calendar for appointments, hearing about the weather, checking traffic and more.

• How to hear your daily briefing: "OK, Google, tell me about my day" or, "OK, Google, good morning."
• Weather: "OK, Google, how's the weather today?" or, "OK, Google, do I need an umbrella today?"
• Show weather on Chromecast: "OK, Google, show me the weather on [Chromecast name]."
• Traffic: "OK, Google, what's traffic like?"
• Create a reminder: "OK, Google, remind me to [title] on [day] and [time]" or, "OK, Google, remind me to [title] every day at [time]."
• News: "Ok Google, what's the latest news from CNET?" or, "OK, Google, what's in the news?"
• Get a positive news story: "OK, Google, tell me something good."
• Create a reminder based on location: "OK, Google, remind me to water the plants when I get home," or, "Hey, Google, remind me to buy eggs when I'm at the grocery store."
• Play reminders: "OK, Google, what are my reminders?" or, "OK, Google, what are my reminders tomorrow?" or "OK, what is my reminder for [title}?"
• Deleting reminders: "OK, Google, delete my reminders for tomorrow," or, "OK, Google, delete my reminder to [title]," or, "OK, Google, delete all of my reminders."
• Check notifications: "OK, Google, what's up?" or, "OK, Google, what are my notifications?"
• Create a new calendar event: "OK, Google new calendar event" or, "OK, Google, add [event] to my calendar," or, "OK, Google, schedule [event] for me on Saturday at 8 p.m."
• List next calendar event: "OK, Google, what's next on my calendar?" or, "What/where/when is my next meeting?"
• List calendar events for a day: "OK, Google, list all events for Jan. 1," "OK, Google, what's on my agenda for today?" or "OK, Google, what's on my calendar for Friday?"

Time

These are commands that can be used to check the time in your current location, as well as others. Or to set alarms, snooze alarms and more.

• Time: "OK, Google, what time is it?"
• Time in other locations: "OK, Google, what's the time in London?"
• Alarm: "OK, Google, set an alarm for [time]" or "OK, Google, set an alarm for every day at [time]."
• Snooze alarm: "OK, Google, snooze alarm."
• Cancel alarm: "OK, Google, cancel my alarm for [time]."
• Timer: "OK Google, set a timer for [time]."
• Multiple timers: "OK, Google, set a second timer for [time]," or "OK, Google, set a pizza timer for [time]."
• Check timer: "OK, Google, how much time is left on my timer?"
• Cancel timer: "OK, Google, cancel my timer."

Search

Of course, the Google Assistant is good at search, after all it is backed up by the biggest search engine in the world. These commands will help you search for different things like words, special events and more.

• Stocks: "OK, Google, how are Alphabet's stocks doing?"
• Calories: "OK, Google, how many calories are in [food item]?"
• Authors: "OK, Google, who wrote [book title]?"
• Inventors: "OK, Google, who invented [item]?"
• Words: "OK, Google, what does [word] mean?"
• Spelling: "OK, Google, spell [word]."
• Special events: "OK, Google, when is [event]?" (Easter, for example.)
• People: "OK, Google, who is [person]?"
• Facts: "OK, Google, how tall is [person]?"
• Things: "OK, Google, what is [thing]?"
• Places: "OK, Google, what country is [location] in?"
• Animal sounds: "OK, Google, what does [animal] sound like?"
• Distance: "OK, Google, how far is [business name] from here?"
• Restaurants: "OK, Google, what are the nearest restaurants?"
• Businesses: "OK, Google, are there any [business type] around here?"
• Business information: "OK, Google, how late is [business] open?" or, "Is [business] open now?"
• Quotes: "OK, Google, give me a quote" or, "OK, Google, give me a love quote."
• Medical information: "OK, Google, what is a torn meniscus?"

Media

These commands can be used to play different music, find songs by artists, or albums and even set timers. Among many other things.

• Play music in your default app: "OK, Google, play some music," or, "Play some [genre] music."
• Play ambient sounds: "OK, Google, help me relax," or ,"OK, Google, play white noise," or, "OK, Google, play forest sounds."
• Play an artist or song: "OK, Google, play [artist]," or, "Play [song]."
• Play a song by lyrics: "OK, Google, play the song that goes, 'Is this the real life?'"
• Play a Google Play playlist or album: "OK, Google, play some indie music," or, "OK, Google, play [album]."
• Ask what's playing: "OK, Google, what song is this?" or, "OK, Google, what album is this?"
• Get more information: "OK, Google, when did this album come out?"
• Fast forward and rewind: "OK, Google, skip forward 2 minutes," or, "OK, Google, skip backward 30 seconds."
• Set a sleep timer: "OK, Google, stop in 20 minutes."
• Play music on Spotify: "OK, Google, play [artist] on Spotify."
• Play music on Pandora: "OK, Google, play [artist] on Pandora."
• Like or dislike a song on Pandora: "OK, Google, dislike this song."
• Play music on YouTube Music: "OK, Google, play [artist] on YouTube."
• Play stations on TuneIn: "OK, Google, play [station] on TuneIn."
• Pull up lists on YouTube: "OK, Google, let's look at what's trending on YouTube on [TV name]."
• Play an audiobook: "OK, Google, read my book," or, "OK, Google, read [book title]."
• Jump audiobook chapters: "OK, Google, next/previous chapter."
• Check time left in audiobook: "OK, Google, how much time is left?"
• Find audiobook author: "OK, Google, who wrote this?"
• Speed up playback of audiobooks and podcasts: "Hey Google, play at twice the speed."
• Ambient sound: "OK, Google, play ambient sounds."

Kid-oriented commands

Google Assistant is kid-friendly, and here are some great commands for them to use.

• Play music and sound effects as kids read certain books out loud: "Hey Google, Read Along with [book name]."
• Create character-themed alarms: "Set a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle alarm for 8 p.m."
• Read a variety of kids' stories: "Tell me a bedtime story."

Easter Eggs

Google does like to have fun and has some really cool Easter Eggs in the Assistant. If you want a good laugh, try some of these commands.

• "OK, Google, it's my birthday."
• "OK, Google, it's not my birthday."
• "OK, Google, did you fart?"
• "OK, Google, always be closing."
• "OK, Google, what is your quest?"
• "OK, Google, I am your father."
• "OK, Google, set phasers to kill."
• "OK, Google, are you SkyNet?"
• "OK, Google, make me a sandwich."
• "OK, Google, up up down down left right left right B A Start."
• "OK, Google, do a barrel roll."

Google Assistant on Android

If you use the Google Assistant on your smartphone, you can use it to different smartphone-specific commands. Like placing calls, finding your lost phone and much more. Here's the complete list:

• Google Assistant can now integrate with Android Messages, Hangouts, Messenger, SMS, Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber. Say "Read back replies."
• Place a call: "OK, Google, call mom," or, "OK, Google, call [contact name]," or, "OK, Google, call the nearest coffee shop."
• Hang up: "OK, Google, hang up."
• Find your phone: "OK, Google, find my phone," or, "OK, Google, ring my phone."
• Pair with Bluetooth: "OK, Google, Bluetooth pairing."
• Check Bluetooth status: "OK, Google, is Bluetooth active?" or, "OK, Google, is Bluetooth paired?" or, "OK, Google, is Bluetooth connected?"
• Cancel Bluetooth pairing: "OK, Google, cancel," or, "OK, Google, cancel pairing."
• Clear paired Bluetooth devices: "OK, Google, clear all devices," or, "OK, Google, clear all Bluetooth devices" or, "OK, Google, unpair devices."

Users also have the ability to use the Google Assistant while their phone is locked. You'll need to enable this by clicking on the Explore icon in the top-right corner of the Google Assistant app. Then tap on Settings. Go to Assistant and then Assistant Devices and choose your phone.

Using Google Assistant to control your smart home

Of course, the most popular reason to use the Google Assistant, is to control your smart home. And the Google Assistant does support many different brands of smart home products. This includes LIFX, Philips Hue, August Smart Lock, Android TVs, and much more.

• Turn smart lights on/off: "OK, Google, turn on/off my lights."
• Dim smart lights: "OK, Google, dim my lights to 50%."
• Change smart bulb colors: "OK, Google, turn my lights [color]."
• Control smart thermostats: "OK, Google, turn the temperature to [temp]."
• Make incremental temperature changes: "OK, Google, raise the temperature 1 degree."
• Control August Smart Lock: "OK, Google, lock the front door."
• Turn on the TV with Logitech Harmony: "OK, Google, turn on the TV."
• Change the channel with Logitech Harmony: "OK, Google, turn the TV to the Travel Channel," or, "OK, Google, play channel 12."
• Change the channel on a Dish Hopper: "OK, Google, play CBS on the Hopper."
• Customize trigger phrases for IFTTT. For example: "OK, Google, let's get this party started."
• Show Nest Cam feed on Chromecast: "OK, Google, show [camera name]," "Hey, Google, what's on [camera name]?" or, "OK, Google, play [camera name] on [Chromecast name]."

Broadcast messages with Google Assistant

One of the cooler features of the Google Assistant, is the fact that you can use it as an intercom, if you have multiple smart speakers or displays in your home. And here are some of the broadcast commands that you can give to the Google Assistant.

• Wake up: "OK, Google, broadcast 'wake everyone up,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's time to wake up.'"
• Breakfast: "OK, Google, broadcast 'breakfast is ready,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'breakfast is served,'" or' "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's time for breakfast.'"
• Lunch: "OK, Google, broadcast 'lunch is ready,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's lunch time.'"
• Dinner: "OK, Google, broadcast 'dinner is ready/served,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'ring the dinner bell'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's dinner time.'"
• Time to leave: "OK, Google, broadcast 'time to leave,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'time to get out.'"
• Arrived home: "OK, Google, broadcast 'I'm home,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'I'm here.'"
• On the way: "OK, Google, broadcast 'I'm on the way,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'I'll be home soon.'"
• Movie time: "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's movie time,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'the movie is about to start,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'let's go to the movie.'"
• TV time: "OK, Google, broadcast 'the show is about to start,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's time to watch TV,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'TV time.'"
• Bedtime: "OK, Google, broadcast 'time for bed,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'it's time to go to bed,'" or, "OK, Google, broadcast 'sleep time.'"
• Custom: "OK, Google, broadcast/shout/announce/tell everyone [custom message]."

Chromecast/Android TV commands for Google Assistant

Google Assistant is also available on Chromecast and Android TV. Allowing you to do all sorts of things with your TV. But here are some that are specific to Chromecast and Android TV.

• Turn on/off the TV with Chromecast: "OK, Google, turn on the [Chromecast name]," or, "OK, Google, turn off the [Chromecast name]."
• Play music through other speakers with Chromecast: "OK, Google, play [song] on [Chromecast or Google Home name]."
• Listen to audiobook on another device: "OK, Google, read my book on [Chromecast or Google Home speaker name]."
• Play videos on YouTube using Chromecast: "OK, Google, playon the [Chromecast name]."
• Play and pause Chromecast: "OK, Google, play/pause [Chromecast name]."
• Stop Chromecast: "OK, Google, stop [Chromecast name]."
• Mute Chromecast: "OK, Google, mute [Chromecast]" or "OK, Google, unmute [Chromecast name]."
• Images: "OK, Google, show me a picture of an antelope."

Using Google Assistant to book a vacation

You can also use the Google Assistant to book a vacation pretty easily. Or to check on your vacation including flights, restaurants and such. Here are those commands:

• You can Book a hotel room at the following properties: AccorHotels, Choice Hotels, Expedia, InterContinental Hotels Group, Mirai, Priceline, Travelclick and other online services: by saying "Find a hotel in San Francisco," then, "Book a room at Quality Inn."
•  Get flight prices to a destination: "OK, Google, how much is a round-trip flight to New York?"
• Get flights with a specific airline: "OK, Google, find me flights with Jet Blue."
• Check on your flights: "OK, Google, when is my next flight?" or, "OK, Google, my flights in [month]."
• Discover places to visit: "OK, Google, what is there to see in Paris?"
• Find restaurants to try: "OK, Google, what's the best restaurant in Berlin?"

That's all the Google Assistant commands

There's a lot of commands in this list and it's likely not all of them. Just ones that have been discovered. And now with Google rolling out Actions for the Assistant, there are going to be a lot more apps adding actions that you can take with the Google Assistant. Not to mention, Google also rolling out some new features for the Assistant. So this is an ever-updating list of the latest commands.

The post Google Assistant Commands: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Android Headlines.