On paper, smart home automation powered by Google should be simple. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case for a big group of users that struggle daily to make things work. Some of them report that the “Please login through the Google Home app” prompts them whenever they want to give voice commands to speakers. Others, who use third-party smart speakers run into the same issue, as well. If you are among these users, check the steps we listed below.
Editor’s note: Google claims that the problems are addressed with a firmware update but we can’t say if that’s the case for everyone.
How do I log in through the Google app?
If your Google Home/Nest smart speaker keeps unblinking and you get the “Please login through the Google Home app” prompt, make sure to reinstall the Google Home app or, for third-party speakers, disable Google Cast integration in Home Assistant.
Alternatively, you can unlink and link the speaker again, or reset the device and start from scratch.
1. Reinstall the Google Home app if you get “Please Login through the Google Home app”
Even if you use a third-party open-source app like Home Assistant (Play Store) as the go-to smart home app, we encourage you to add the device to Google Home, as well. If that doesn’t help, make sure that your firmware is up to date since there are reports about updates that fixed the issue.
Now, some users managed to address the problem by clearing local data and setting up the Google Home app again. We would go further and completely remove and reinstall Google Home.
Just navigate to Play Store > Google Home on your Android or App Store on your iPhone and uninstall the app. After a restart, reinstall the app, set it up with your Google Account, and make sure that the device that’s causing you problems is there.
2. Disable Google Cast integration in the Home Assistant
Some owners of third-party speakers that have integration with Google use an open-source service called Home Assistant for advanced home automation. Some of them run into issues, too, even though they don’t have much to do with Google or Google Home app, at all. They managed to address the problem by disabling the Cast integration.
It seems that any integration of Google’s services on smart speakers leads to this. Although that’s not a preferable solution but rather a temporary workaround, you should give it a try.
3. Unlink and link Google Home/Nest again
In regards to Google’s smart speakers, the firmware supposedly fixed the issue a few months ago. However, if you are still stuck with the case despite having the latest firmware on your Google Home/Nest speaker, make sure to remove and add the device again.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone/iPad.
- Select the device and tap on the cog-like icon to open Settings.
- Swipe to the bottom and tap Remove device.
- Open Google Home again, tap on the + icon at the top, and add the smart speaker to Google Home again.
If you still get the “Please, login through Google Home” prompt, try the last step.
4. Reset the device and set it up again
Finally, we can only suggest resetting your smart speaker and setting it up again. This can be not very pleasant but it’s the last solution that we are aware of. If you know something that we don’t, make sure to tell us in the comments section below.
You can reset your Google Home/Nest speaker by pressing the button on the bottom and holding it until you hear the signal. After the factory reset, configure your Home again in the Google Home app and try connecting to the problematic device once more.
That should do it. If you are aware of alternative solutions we omitted, be so kind as to share them with us and other readers.
Editor’s note: This article was initially published in December 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.
