Home controls and the home panel work with compatible smart home devices that you connect and can control in the Google Home app 
- Home controls are only available on phones with Android 11 or higher.
- The home panel is only available on devices with Android 14 or higher.
- Hub Mode is only available on Pixel Tablets attached to a Charging Speaker Dock.
- Before you control smart devices in home controls, the home panel, or the Google Home app, make sure you check and update your mobile device’s Android version.
Set up home controls or the home panel
If you haven't already, use your phone or tablet to set up your smart devices in the Google Home app. Compatible devices will be added automatically to home controls.
Compatible devices you add to your favorites in the Google Home app
To set up how you access your home panel on your lock screen:
- Open your device's Settings app
.
- Tap Display & touch
Lock screen
tap an option.
- Use device controls: Turn this on to control your devices without unlocking your screen. Note: Some devices can't be controlled when your device is locked.
. will be added to the home panel automatically. With the Pixel Tablet, set up Hub Mode to view live cameras and allow everyone at home to control devices when your tablet is locked and docked. You still need to unlock your tablet to control sensitive devices and change settings.Control connected devices
Add controls.Pixel devices with Android 14 or higher have the home panel.
To control the devices and automations in your Google Home Favorites list, tap the Home icon
on your device's lock screen. You can also swipe down to open Quick Settings
On the home controls screen or the home panel, you can:
- Turn devices on or off
- Change brightness for lights
- Change thermostat temperature
- Get live videos from cameras
- Pause music or videos
- Control smart locks
. You also need to unlock your phone or tablet to access sensitive controls like cameras and locks. On a Pixel Tablet in Hub Mode, anyone in your home can view cameras or access camera controls.Choose which devices appear in home controls or the home panel
- Press and hold the Power button on your phone or tablet.
- Above the controls on the right, tap More
Edit controls.
- To remove a device, tap the checkbox next to the device name. To rearrange a device, drag the device name.
- Tap Save.
- Wake your phone or tablet to display the lock screen.
- Tip: You can press the Power button, tap the screen, or lift the device.
- Swipe down to open Quick Settings
on the lock screen.
- Scroll down to the "Edit" and "Reorder" buttons.
- To remove a device, tap Edit
- To rearrange devices, tap Reorder
- Tip: If you edit or reorder devices here, they'll also be updated on the favorites tab in Google Home app
, and vice versa.
- Tip: If you edit or reorder devices here, they'll also be updated on the favorites tab in Google Home app
- To remove a device, tap Edit
- Tap Save.
Use the Home Controls screen saver (Android 15 or higher)
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 15 and up. Learn how to update your Android version.
The Home Controls screen saver lets you use your phone or tablet as an always on smart home controller while it’s locked and charging.
- Open your device’s Settings app
- Tap Display & touch
Screen saver.
- Turn on Use screen saver.
- Scroll down and tap Home Controls.
Choose when your screen saver starts
You can change when your screen saver starts on your phone or tablet:
- Open your device’s Settings app
- Tap Display & touch
Screen saver
- Tap “While charging” to have access to home controls without docking your device.
- Tap “While docked and charging” to only turn on the Home Controls screen saver when docked.