Create and manage speaker groups

Group any combination of Google Nest or Home speakers and displays and Chromecast devices together for synchronous music throughout the home. Your music and audio from Chromecast-enabled apps are instantly available to stream.

Compatible devices include Google Home, Google Nest Mini (2nd gen), Google Home Mini (1st gen), Google Home Max, Google Nest Audio, and Google Nest displays, Google Nest Wifi point, Chromecast with Google TV, Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Chromecast Audio, and devices with Chromecast built-in.

Note: This feature is not supported on Chromecast (1st gen).

Step 1. Create and manage speaker groups

Create an audio group

Edit an existing group

Delete an existing group

Step 2. Control speaker groups

Note: If you change the volume of an individual speaker in a group, it will also change the group's volume.

Using your voice

Playing audio groups is like playing audio on individual remote devices except you'll say "Hey Google, … on <group name>" instead of "Hey Google, … on <device name>."

Note: Make sure to voice-enable the group to control it with your voice.

To do this: Say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google," then:
Play music using group name "Play rock on <group name>"
Control music using basic commands "Pause, resume, stop, or play next song"

Control volume

Note: During group playback, volume commands only change the device you said the voice command to unless you say "Hey Google,... on <group name>."

"Set volume to 5"
"Set volume to 40%"

From the Google Home app

  1. Make sure your mobile device or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi or linked to the same account as your Chromecast, or speaker or display.
  2. Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
  3. Tap your speaker group.

You'll get the following information for the current music session:

  • Content provider
  • Title (song name, show episode name, and radio station program)
  • Artist (if available)
  • Collection (playlist, album, show series, and radio station) (if available)

You can also pause or resume, stop, and control group members' volume.

To view all of your speakers and displays and change which ones are playing, from the Google Home app, tap Media . Learn more about multi-room controls.

From the Google Nest or Home device

Speakers

Google Home Google Home

To do this: Touch Google Home like this: Image
Play, pause or stop alarm or timer Tap once on the top of the device.
Turn up the volume

Swipe clockwise on the top of the device.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media. You can adjust alarms and timers volume anytime in the Google Home app.

Turn down the volume

Swipe counterclockwise on the top of the device.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Start your request Press and hold down on the top of the device.
Mic on or off

Press the microphone mute button on the back of the device.

Note: If you mute the microphone, it prevents Google Home from listening or responding. To interact with Google Home, the microphone must be on.

Factory reset the device Press and hold the factory reset button located on the back of Google Home.
Turn off power Unplug power cable from Google Home.

Googel Nest Mini Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)

Note: The Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) has a wall mount screw slot on the back. If your device doesn't have a wall mount screw slot, it is a Google Home Mini (1st gen).

To do this: Touch Google Nest Mini like this: Image

Play, pause or stop media or end a current phone call

Tap the center of the Nest Mini.

Google Nest Mini center tap
Stop a ringing alarm or timer

Tap the center of the Nest Mini.

Google Nest Mini center tap
Turn up the volume

Tap the right side of the Nest Mini.

10 total taps will be maximum volume.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

To reverse controls, open the Home appGoogle Home app tap your device  Settings  Audio Reverse device controls.​

Google Nest Mini volume up
Turn down the volume

Tap on the left side of the Nest Mini.

10 total taps will mute all audio except your Google Assistant.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

To reverse controls, open the Home appGoogle Home app tap your device  Settings  Audio Reverse device controls.​

Google Nest Mini volume down
Turn mic on or off

Toggle the mic on or off switch found next to the power cord. The switch will display orange when the microphone is turned off.

Note: If you turn off the microphone, it prevents Nest Mini from listening or responding. To interact by voice with Nest Mini, the microphone must be on.

Google Nest Mini mic on-off
Factory reset the device

Turn the mic off, then press and hold the lights in the center of the Nest Mini.

Hold for about 15 seconds.

Google Nest Mini reset
Turn off power Unplug the power cable from Nest Mini. Google Nest Mini unplug
Start your request

Note: You can't press and hold the top of the Nest Mini to start a request with your Assistant.

Instead, say "Hey Google" to start your request.

Google Home Mini Google Home Mini (1st gen)

To do this: Touch Google Home Mini like this: Image

Play, pause or stop media or end a current phone call

Press and hold either side of Home Mini.

Stop a ringing alarm or timer

Press and hold either side of Home Mini.

Turn up the volume

Tap on right side of Home Mini.

To reach maximum volume, tap to volume level 10.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Turn down the volume

Press and hold left side of Home Mini.

10 total taps will mute all audio except your Google Assistant.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Turn mic on or off

Toggle the mic on or off switch found next to the power cord. The switch will display orange when the microphone is turned off.

Note: If you turn off the microphone, it prevents Home Mini from listening or responding. To interact with Home Mini, the microphone must be on.

Factory reset the device

Press and hold the factory reset button located below the power cord on the bottom of Home Mini. Find the circle etched into the base.

Hold for about 12 seconds.

Turn off power Unplug the power cable from Home Mini.
Start your request

Note: You can't press and hold the top of Home Mini to start a request with your Assistant.

Instead, say "Hey Google" to start your request.

Google Home Max Google Home Max

To do this: Touch Google Home Max like this: Image

Play, pause or stop media

Stop a ringing alarm or timer

End a call

Horizontal placement: Tap the line located on the top of Max.

Vertical placement: Tap the line located on the right side of Max.


Turn up the volume

Horizontal placement: Swipe from left to right along the line located on the top of Max.

Vertical placement: Swipe up along the line located on the right side of Max.


Turn down the volume

Horizontal placement: Swipe from right to left along the line located on the top of Max.

Vertical placement: Swipe down along the line located on the right side of Max.


Turn mic on or off

Toggle the mic on or off switch located on the back of Max. The switch will display orange when the microphone is turned off. You can't use your voice or the Google Home app to turn on or off the mic.

Note: When you turn off the microphone, it:

  • Prevents Google Home Max from listening or responding. To interact with Google Home Max, the microphone must be on.
  • Turns off Room EQ.
Factory reset the device

Press and hold the factory reset button located above the power cord on the back of Max. Find the small grey button.

Hold for about 12 seconds.

Turn off power Unplug the power cable from Max.

Google Nest Audio Google Nest Audio

To do this: Touch Google Nest Audio like this: Image

Play, pause or stop media or end a current phone call

Tap the center of the Nest Audio.

Stop a ringing alarm or timer

Tap the center of the Nest Audio.

Turn up the volume

Tap the right side of the Nest Audio.

20 total taps will be maximum volume.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Turn down the volume

Tap on the left side of the Nest Audio.

20 total taps will mute all audio except your Google Assistant.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Turn mic on or off

Toggle the mic on or off switch found next to the power cord. The switch will display orange when the microphone is turned off.

Note: If you turn off the microphone, it prevents Nest Audio from listening or responding. To interact by voice with Nest Audio, the microphone must be on.

Factory reset the device

Turn the mic off, then press and hold the lights in the center of the Nest Audio.

Hold for about 15 seconds.

Turn off power Unplug the power cable from Nest Audio.
Start your request

Note: You can't press and hold the top of the Nest Audio to start a request with your Assistant.

Instead, say "Hey Google" to start your request.

Nest Wifi point Google Nest Wifi point

To do this:

Touch Nest Wifi point like this:

Image

Play, pause or stop media or end a current phone call

Tap the center of the Nest Wifi point.

Nest Wifi center tap

Stop a ringing alarm or timer

Tap the center of the Nest Wifi point.

Nest Wifi center tap

Turn up the volume

Tap on the right side of the Nest Wifi point.

10 total taps will be maximum volume.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Nest Wifi point volume up

Turn down the volume

Tap on the left side of the Nest Wifi point.

10 total taps will mute all audio except your Google Assistant.

Note: This only adjusts the volume of media and your Google Assistant. At volume level 0, all media will be muted but your Google Assistant will still speak at a minimum level. It doesn't adjust the volume of alarms and timers.

Nest Wifi point volume down

Turn mic on or off

Toggle the mic on or off switch found next to the power cord. The switch will display orange when the microphone is turned off.

Note: If you turn off the microphone, it prevents Nest Wifi point from listening or responding. To interact by voice with your Nest Wifi point, the microphone must be on.

Nest Wifi point mic on-off

Turn off power

Unplug the power cable from Nest Wifi point.

Nest Wifi unplug

Start your request

Note: You can't press and hold the top of a Nest Wifi point to start a request with your Assistant.

Instead, say "Hey Google" to start your request.

Displays

Audio delay issues

If there's a delay between one device in the group and the others, use the group delay correction setting for that device to resolve the issue.

Important: If you press your phone or tablet's volume buttons (on the side of your phone or tablet) while in the Google Home app, it will not adjust the volume.

Note: Speaker group creation is only available on a phone or tablet. This feature is not supported on the Chrome browser. However, you can still cast to a group from Chrome.

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?