We invest insmart home devicesto make our lives easier. You can dim your smart lights or adjust the thermostat on your smartphone orcompatible smart display. But what if these actions can start on their own or when something happens? That’s where Nest smart home automation comes in.

Nest automation runs a string of actions on a single command. You can trigger routines with your voice, at a scheduled time, or when a device does something. This guide walks you through how to set up Nest smart home automation and why it’s worth your time.

A gray Nest Audio sitting on a table.

Getting started with Nest smart home automation

Setting up asmart home automation systemcan save time by running tasks for you. There’s an endless number of things to automate. The limiting factor is the number of compatible devices in your smart home setup.

For instance, you’re able to save energy by scheduling your Google Nest Thermostat or Nest Learning Thermostat to turn down when no one is home. Another automation could set your light bulbs to a certain brightness and color temperature and start the amplifier when you turn on the TV with a voice command. These actions run on a single command, so you don’t have to control each device manually.

Adding a new routine on the Google Home app

TheGoogle Home appis where you manage and automate your Nest devices. Automation is the same as routines in the app. The setup isn’t much different fromusing Google Assistant routines. Google categorizes them into personal and household routines.

Personal routines

Personal routines apply only to you. Use them to automate your daily life, such as turning up the lights, reading your calendar events and tasks, and playing your favorite podcast when you say “Good morning.” Only you can manage these routines. Google Assistant hides your activities and personal results from other household members.

Household routines

Automations in this category are shared among your home members. Members can start or see when routines run, but only those with manager access can create or edit routines. Household routines never give personal results, like reading a member’s tasks or calendar events.

How to set up Google Home household routines

Automation for everyone at home

How to set up Nest automations for your smart home

Before starting, configure your Google Nest products in the Home app on your Android phone or Apple iPhone. Also, ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi network to keep connected devices in sync and make automation run smoothly. When everything is in sync, create your first routine or modify an existing one.

How to create a new personal or household routine

Creating custom routines is where Nest home automation shines. The steps below show how to turn on a smart light bulb with a voice command. The process is the same for adding other actions.

How to customize an existing routine

Google preloads some personal routines to get you started on the Home app. Some, like the Bedtime routine, work fine with your Google smart home products, but you can personalize them or turn off those you don’t need.

Ways to start your Google Nest automation

“Hey Google, tell me about my day” and other voice commands are the common methods to trigger your Google Home assistant. But that’s not all. Talking to gadgets can get tiring for routines that should start automatically.

Save time and money with Nest automations

Setting up smart home automation can be daunting, but the result is usually sweet and time-saving. It gets better as you add new devices and tweak routines to match your daily life. Smart home automation is especially helpful for home security. Check out our tips onhow to make a theft-deterrent system.

Choosing a routine type in Google Home

Naming a new routine in Google Home

Naming a routine in Google Home 2