Hey Nest Community,
Back in August, we briefly talked about our all-new, more powerful assistant. Today, we are excited to share that early access to the new Gemini for Home voice assistant and Gemini Live1 starts rolling out to Google speakers and displays! We’re starting with English in the US and will be expanding to other locales in early 2026.
Let’s take a deeper look into what this rollout means for you.
What’s rolling out?
Gemini for Home voice assistant early access starts today (English & US only). Your voice assistant will get upgraded from Google Assistant to Gemini, making it more conversational and capable than ever. Gemini can infer your intention based on reasoning and context. This makes the product easier to use because it understands natural, non-specific language, similar to a person.
This upgraded voice assistant is coming to your devices at no extra cost. We’re focused on bringing this new experience to as many users as possible. With that, we’re excited to share that the Gemini for Home voice assistant will work on all Google speakers and displays we’ve made since 2016!
To use the new voice assistant, you’ll still say “Hey Google”, but your experience and interactions will feel fundamentally new. With the Gemini for Home voice assistant, you can use more natural language and get answers that are crafted with advanced reasoning and backed by search. Gemini for Home also maintains short-term context. So, you can ask follow-up questions to dive deeper on a topic, or take an action related to what you were just talking about.
We’ve put together a list of things you can do with the new Gemini for Home voice assistant, check it out here!
Gemini Live
We also are rolling out Gemini Live on Google speakers and displays for those of you with a Google Home Premium subscription, allowing you to have a fluid, back-and-forth conversation on any topic1. With Gemini Live, you can talk, you can pause, you can interrupt, you can pivot, you can follow up — just like you would with a person — all without having to repeat “OK Google” or “Hey Google”, until you want to end the conversation.
Just say, “OK Google, let’s chat,” and you can explore ideas, learn new concepts, or get advice without repeating "Hey Google”. You can do things like:
- Brainstorm what to make for dinner with the ingredients you already have.
- Get advice on anything from improving a skill to being more productive.
We are thrilled to share these updates with you and looking forward to seeing all the new, helpful, and fun ways you use the new voice assistant!
We’d love to hear your feedback
Gemini for Home voice assistant is in early access and we know there may be issues as we work to perfect the experience. As you try the new Gemini for Home voice assistant, consider sharing your feedback with us (the good and the bad) so we can keep improving.
The best way to do that is by saying “OK Google, send feedback” and responding to the prompt with a brief description of your issue. You can also submit feedback from the Google Home app. You can also share feedback on the dedicated community thread.
We have a running FAQ page that we will be updating regularly as we receive feedback, so keep an eye out there!
Thanks,
Mark, Product lead for Gemini for Home voice assistant
1 Requires Google Home Premium subscription (sold separately), Google Home app, Wi-Fi, and internet connection. Features subject to change; available in select countries and languages. Gemini features work independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy; results may vary.
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FAQ
Q: Which devices will get the new voice assistant?
A: Gemini for Home voice assistant will work on all speakers and displays we’ve made since 2016.
This includes:
- Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
- Google Nest Hub Max
- Google Nest Hub (1st gen)
- Google Home Max
- Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
- Google Home Mini (1st gen)
- Google Nest Audio
- Google Home
- Google Nest Wifi point
Gemini Live will be available with a Google Home Premium subscription in both the Standard and Advanced plans on:
- Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
- Google Nest Audio
- Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
- Google Nest Hub Max
Q: Which languages/countries does Gemini for Home voice assistant support?
A: At this time, Gemini for Home voice assistant is only available in the US with support in English. We are expanding to other locales in early 2026.
Q: Is there anything Google Assistant can do today that the Gemini for Home voice assistant can’t do at launch?
A: Gemini for Home voice assistant supports all the same actions that you could perform on your Google Assistant, but you may notice that Gemini for Home responds differently because it is a different voice assistant built on Gemini.
We put out a blog post with things to know while using the new Gemini for Home voice assistant.
Q: What version of the Google Home app do I need?
A: The Gemini for Home voice assistant requires version 4.1 of the Google Home app.
Q: How do I sign-up for early access to Gemini for Home features?
A: To sign up for the early access program:
- Open the Google Home app (version 4.1+)
- Click on Settings (In the new 3-tab design it is at the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial, in the older design click on the Settings tab)
- Then click on Early Access
You’ll get notified in the app when features become available for your home. Early access to the Gemini for Home voice assistant is available first in the United States and we will be rolling out to other regions in early 2026.
We’ll eventually be inviting everyone to upgrade to Gemini for Home, so signing up for early access is optional.
Q: If I signed up for early access, how will I be notified when I have access to the new voice assistant?
A: You’ll get notified in the Google Home app as new Gemini for Home features, like the new voice assistant, become available for your home.
Q: How can I tell if I have the Gemini for Home voice assistant?
A: There are several ways you can tell if you have upgraded to the Gemini for Home voice assistant:
1) Simply ask “Ok Google, who are you?”
2) You’ll hear a new, more natural sounding voice, and may hear a welcome message from Gemini for Home.
3) The LEDs on your speaker will show a blue/purple color when responding (*not included on our oldest devices), and the voice UI on your smart display will look different when you say, “hey Google”.
4) In the Google Home app, under settings you’ll see a menu item called, ‘Gemini for Home voice assistant’.
Q: I already have the Gemini for Home camera features. When will I get the Gemini for Home voice assistant?
A: Gemini for Home features are starting to rollout through an early access program. The Gemini for Home voice assistant on speakers and smart displays are starting to roll-out today and you will be notified in the Google Home app once the features are enabled for your home.
Q: Is it possible for me to have Gemini for Home enabled on my cameras but not on my speakers / displays (and vice versa)
A: The Gemini for Home camera and voice features are rolling out independently. You will get notified in the Google Home app when features are available for your home.
Q: When will Gemini for Home voice assistant be available in my language?
A: The Gemini for Home voice assistant is initially only available in English. We are working to expand support for more languages in more voices so that you can talk with Gemini in the voice that’s best for you, and get responses that sound fluent.
Q: Can I switch back to Google Assistant on my speakers and displays?
A: You can’t switch back to Google Assistant once you’ve migrated to the Gemini for Home voice assistant. We'd love your feedback to know how the Gemini for Home voice assistant could be more useful for you. You can share feedback directly in the Google Home app or on our dedicated Nest Community thread.
Q: Can I opt to retain Google Assistant rather than move to Gemini?
A: Yes, at this time, upgrading to Gemini for Home voice assistant is optional.
Q: Will the Gemini for Home voice assistant work on Chromecast?
A: Gemini for Google TV, which is the Gemini experience optimized for large screen experiences, is currently available on the TCL QM9K Google TV. Gemini will rollout to the Google TV Streamer and more devices this winter.
Q: What third party services/integrations will Gemini for Home voice assistant connect to?
A: Gemini for Home will work with the same third party services that worked with Google Assistant. This includes apps like Keep or Calendar for managing tasks, lists, notes and reminders, any smart home device that is integrated with Google home, and a number of top media streaming partners for music, video, radio & TV.
