Cannot setup home/away switch in Google Home on android

[thegios]

I can no longer setup the home/away switch on the top-left corner of the Google Home app.

See here: https://youtube.com/shorts/8CWvA2Kt6jo?si=Ku1RA1GwB_inSf0c

This problem started when Google Home updated from v4.2 to v4.3 (when new layout was introduced and routines were replaced by automations).
Today I have received an update to Google Home 4.5 and this problem still persists.

[thegios]

ANy feedback here from someone with either the same problem or a solution?

[humbertogarcia]

Hi thegios,

Thank you for posting in the community! I understand that since updating to version 4.3 (and now 4.5), the Home/Away manual switch has disappeared from the top-left corner of your Favorites tab. I appreciate you sharing the video link and your specific concerns; it’s very helpful for troubleshooting. I’ll be happy to work with you to get this resolved.

To force the toggle to reappear, we need to re-initialize your presence-sensing logic by manually “force-creating” the Household Routines. Please follow these steps:

• Go to the Automations tab.
• Scroll to the Household Routines section.
• If you do not see routines named "Home" and "Away", tap the + Add button.
• Select Household (not Personal) and then choose Presence sensing.
• Follow the prompts to add at least one action (for example, "Turn off lights when Away").

Once these routines are saved, the app should automatically place the Home/Away toggle to the top-left of your Favorites tab.

The steps above should work, if not, please let me know in order to further troubleshoot.

Regards,

Humberto

[thegios]

Personal and Household routines do not exist any longer, only automations can be created now.

[thegios]

If I click on create automation, then if I click on the three dots at top right I can indeed choose the old editor to create household routine, but as a sorter condition there's no presence sensing.

[thegios]

I have tried creating automations instead but the problem persists.

[thegios · Accepted solution]

It appears that manually creating an old household routine restores the missing functionality. By navigating to the Automations tab, clicking on the + sign to create a new automation but then.selecting the three dots in the top right corner, and choosing "Household routine," I was able to save a new routine (even one without a starter or action). Once this was saved, the Home/Away switch immediately became available again.

I am sharing this because it clearly indicates a software bug where the switch visibility is tied to the existence of these old household routines.

[humbertogarcia]

Hi thegios,

That is excellent news! I truly appreciate you sharing that specific workaround with the community.

It appears that by using the "three dots" to access the legacy Household Routine editor, you successfully forced the app to re-register the presence-sensing logic that was stuck in the new layout. Saving that routine acted as the "handshake" the app needed to restore the Home/Away switch to your Favorites tab.

Your discovery is incredibly helpful, as it provides a clear path for other users who might find themselves stuck in the same version transition. Thank you for your patience and for being so thorough in finding a solution.

Any additional assistance, don't hesitate to contact me.

Humberto

[thegios]

I'm sorry but this is obviously a bug in the app

[humbertogarcia]

Hi thegios,

I appreciate the provision of your feedback. Sharing it directly with the engineering team is the best way to get this glitch on the radar for the next app update.

To ensure they have your specific system logs to investigate the bug, please follow these steps from the article Share feedback about Google Nest:

• Open the Google Home app.
• Tap your Profile icon (top right).
• Select Help & feedback → Send feedback.
• Mention that the “Home/Away toggle is tied to legacy Household Routines.”

Thank you again for your technical insight; it's what makes this community so valuable.

Regards,

Humberto