In this article, we’ll explore the possibilities and limitations of using Alexa with Google Home, and how you can make the most of both assistants in your home.
Alexa Work with Google Home
Alexa and Google Home are two popular smart assistant platforms developed by Amazon and Google, respectively.
While both devices offer similar functionalities like controlling smart home devices, playing music, answering questions, and setting reminders—each platform is designed to work within its own ecosystem.
This means that, natively, Alexa and Google Home do not work together directly. However, there are ways to make them interact indirectly.
Alexa and Google Home: Different Ecosystems
Alexa is designed to work seamlessly with Amazon’s ecosystem, including Amazon Prime, Amazon Music, and Alexa-enabled smart devices.
Google Home, on the other hand, is closely integrated with Google’s services like Google Search, YouTube, and Google Assistant-powered devices.
While both assistants offer similar services, they each have their own set of features, making it difficult to combine them into one cohesive system.
Limited Integration
Despite their differences, there are a few ways you can make Alexa and Google Home work together in a limited sense:
Use Compatible Smart Devices
Many smart home devices are compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can control the same device using either Alexa or Google Home. For example, smart light bulbs, thermostats, smart locks, and cameras often work with both assistants.
How to Set It Up:
- Set up the device with both your Alexa and Google Assistant apps.
- Link the device to both ecosystems, and you can control it using voice commands from either Alexa or Google Assistant.
IFTTT (If This Then That)
IFTTT is a web service that allows you to create custom automations between various apps and devices. By setting up specific “recipes” or automations, you can trigger actions between Alexa and Google Assistant.
How to Set It Up:
- Create an IFTTT account and link your Alexa and Google Assistant services to it.
- Use IFTTT to create applets that trigger actions from one assistant to the other. For example, you could set up an applet where a command to Alexa (like “Turn off the lights”) triggers an action in Google Assistant (like “Dim the lights”).
Use Both Devices Independently
While this doesn’t create direct communication between the two systems, you can place both Alexa and Google Home devices in the same house and use them for different tasks based on your needs.
How to Set It Up:
- Simply use Google Home for tasks that rely on Google services (like playing music from YouTube) and Alexa for tasks tied to Amazon services (like shopping, Amazon Prime, etc.).