How to Use Google Home App on Your Mac

Control your home from your trusty Mac or MacBook

By
Luis E. Chavez Saenz
Luis Chavez
Luis E. Chavez Saenz
Writer
  • New Jersey Institute of Technology
Luis Chavez is a former Lifewire writer and a System Administrator with 5+ years' experience writing about technology for end users.
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Updated on May 14, 2022
Reviewed by
Christine Baker
Reviewed by Christine Baker
    Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design.
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    What to Know

    • Install an emulator such as Bluestacks on the Mac. Launch the Google Chrome browser. Select the three vertical dots icon.
    • Select Help > About Google Chrome. If an update is available, Chrome downloads and installs it.
    • Choose Relaunch to apply the update. You are limited to media casting. You can't set up Google Home devices from Chrome.

    This article explains a workaround for how to use the Google Home app on your Mac. The app is designed to work only with iOS and Android devices, but you can get some of the functionality the Google Home app provides from your Mac if you install an emulator, such as Bluestacks.

    Using Google Chrome for Google Home

    After you install an emulator, Google Chrome allows you to use some of the functionality the Google Home app provides on a Mac, but it's limited to only media casting. Before you're able to do so, you must ensure Google Chrome is updated to the latest version.

    1. Launch the Google Chrome browser.

    2. Click the three vertical dots menu icon in the upper-right corner.

      Google homepage

    3. Choose Help, then click About Google Chrome.

      You can also get to these settings by typing chrome://settings/help into the URL/search bar.

    4. Confirm your browser is updated. If an update is available, Chrome automatically downloads and installs the update.

      Google Chrome setting page

    5. Once Chrome updates, click Relaunch to apply the update.

    6. Once you have confirmed Chrome is updated, you can proceed to cast to any of your Google Home or Chromecast devices.

    You will not be able to set up Google Home devices from Chrome. This functionality only works by using the Google Home App on your Android or iOS devices or the appropriate emulator for the Mac.

    Use Google Home App on Mac via an Android Emulator

    Since the Google Home app is only supported on Android and iOS devices, you must install an emulator to run the Android operating system on your macOS device.

    There are several Android emulators, so it's a matter of preference and the resources you have available on your Mac. One of the well-known emulators, Bluestacks, allows you to install and run several Android applications, including the Google Home app.

    Differences From Using an Android or iOS Device

    Overall, functionality is largely the same; once you've set up the emulator, you can achieve the same results, as you essentially have Android running on your Mac. However, some extra work is required to get the emulator set up, making the whole setup process a little more involved.

    FAQ
    • Can I use Chromecast from my Mac?

      Yes, you can use Chromecast from a Mac. In addition to the Cast feature in the Chrome browser, apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube come with Chromecast built-in. Look for the casting icon, and select your connected Google Home speaker or another device with a built-in Chromecast to cast media from your Mac.

    • How can I cast Spotify from my Mac to my Google Home?

      The macOS Spotify app is a Chromecast built-in program. Use the app's casting icon to Chromecast Spotify from your Mac to a connected Google Home speaker.

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