Have you ever wanted to make your Google Assistant more personal? Do you want to choose a special name that fits your liking? While it may not be possible to officially change the name of your Google Assistant, you can alter the phrase used to activate it. This tutorial will demonstrate how to personalize the wake word for your Google Assistant.
Google Assistant’s Wake Words
Normally, you wake up Google Assistant by saying “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google”. These are defaults that Google has programmed into the system. However, Google hasn’t provided a built-in feature that allows users to change these wake words to something else. But fret not, there’s a workaround.
The Workaround: Google Assistant Routines
Even though you can’t directly change the name you call your Google Assistant, you can customize the way it responds to certain commands, thanks to a feature called Routines.
With Routines, you can create custom commands and actions for your Google Assistant. While this doesn’t exactly change the name of your assistant, it does allow you to interact with it in a more personal way.
Creating a Routine
To create a new routine, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Home app on your device.
- Tap on ‘Routines’. You should find this option in the main menu.
- Tap on the ‘+’ sign to create a new routine.
Now, you need to configure the routine. The process involves setting a command and the assistant’s action in response to the command.
1. Under 'When...', tap on 'Add commands'. Type the command you want to use. This could be something like "Hey, Jarvis" or "OK, Alfred". Tap on 'Save'. 2. Under 'Google Assistant will...', tap on 'Add action'. Here, you can specify what Google Assistant should do when it hears the command. It can be anything from telling a joke to playing a song. Tap on 'Save'. 3. Finally, tap on the 'Save' button at the top-right to save your new routine.
Use your New Command
Now you can use the new command to interact with Google Assistant. It’s important to note that you still need to say “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google” to wake up the assistant. However, once it’s awake, you can use your new command.
Remember, Google Assistant is an AI-powered virtual assistant. While you might not be able to give it a new name like you would a pet, you can certainly create a unique experience that is tailored to your preferences using Routines.