How to Set Up Google Home Mini (Step by Step)

How to Set Up Google Home Mini

So you’ve finally purchased a Google Home smart speaker, opened the box, and you have no idea where to start. Just don’t rush into anything because it’s crucial that you set up your Google Home Mini as it should be done without making any improvisations.

The Google Home Mini can be a handy personal assistant for anyone. For instance, you can use it to control all the smart appliances in your home with just a simple command.

The Home Mini is so extensive that it supports over 50,000 smart home appliances such as doorbells, lighting, thermostats, washing machines, TVs, refrigerators, etc. However, the Home Mini needs to be connected to an active Wi-Fi network to execute any command.

Google lets you control the Home Mini with voice commands facilitated by Google Assistant or via the Home App. For the Home App to control your Home Mini, you need to ensure that the device the app is installed on and the Home Mini are connected to the same Wi-Fi.

The Home Mini can also be used as an entertainment source, such as listening to music or streaming your favorite podcasts. The Home Mini is so productive that you can command it to give you the latest weather and time information.

This review will list a couple of steps you can use to set up your Home Mini. We will also look at some of the things the Home Mini can do and how to troubleshoot the setup process if it doesn’t work. If all goes well, the setup process should only take you a couple of minutes.

Preludes Before You Begin the Setup Process

Connect Your Google Home Mini to A Power Outlet

After unboxing your Google Home Mini, the first thing you have to do is connect the power cord on one end to the speaker and the other to a nearby power outlet. The power port on the Home Mini is located on the backside of the speaker.

The Home Mini should have its own power cord in the box, and if the power cord is missing, you should definitely reach out to the store you bought the speaker from and get one because it’s best to use what the manufacturer provides to avoid running into problems.

Wait for The Home Mini to Introduce Itself

If everything is functioning well, the Home Mini will turn on. Then, after a couple of seconds, it will introduce itself and say, “Hi, I’m your Google Assistant.” It will then tell you to download the Google Home App to proceed with the setup.

Download the Google Home App

The Home App is available for Android on Google Play and iPhones on the App Store. After downloading the app, give it access to your location, as this will make it easier for your Home Mini to report the weather and maybe even let you know where the nearest gas station is.

Ensure the smartphone you’re using is connected to your home Wi-Fi. This will enable the Home Mini to access the network information and set itself up on the same network.

The Setup Process

Start by launching the Home App on your smartphone.
Next, click on “Get started.”
Your screen will indicate the app needs access to your device’s location. Pick the option you want and click “Next.”

How to Set Up Google Home Mini

At this point, you’ll be taken back to the main screen. Click on the “Set up Google Home Mini” bubble above the shortcuts to proceed with the setup.
Then select the Home that you want to control. If it’s your first time setting up a Google smart speaker, give your Home a name. Then click “Next.”
Your screen will indicate “Google Home Mini found” click “Next” to proceed.

Your speaker will produce a chime. Click “Yes” if you’ve heard it.
The next screen will contain Google’s legal terms. Click on “I Agree” to proceed.
Next, you’ll be asked if you want to improve your Home Mini. Click “Yes” if you want to share stats and crash reports or “No” if you don’t want to share anything.

The next screen will prompt you to connect to Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi doesn’t appear on the list, it could be you’re using a 5GHz network while your Home Mini only supports 2.4GHz. To fix this, check on your router’s settings and activate the 2.4GHz network.
Next, you’ll enter your Wi-Fi password or if you’ve already given the app access to your Wi-Fi password, click on “OK” to proceed.
Choose the room in which you want to set up the Home Mini and click “Next.”

The next screen will show the privacy and legal policies; click “Next.”
At this point, you’ll need to activate voice match on your Home Mini. Click “Next” to proceed or “No Thanks” if you don’t want personalized responses.
Click on “I agree” to approve voice match.

Say “Hey Google” and “OK Google” when prompted. If there’s an existing voice stored on your smartphone, it will be downloaded to your Home Mini.
Next, click on “I Agree to get personalized results with your voice or “No Thanks” if you don’t want personalized responses.
Then you’ll be asked the “Default Music Service” you want to use on the Home Mini.

Next, you’ll be prompted to link radio services. Click “Next” if you have SiriusXM or “Not Now” if you don’t have a radio service.
At this point, you can add any video services you want to link to your Home Mini.
If you have “Sling TV,” click on the plus (+) sign to add it and click “Next.”

The next screen will prompt you to receive Google Duo calls on your Home Mini. Click “Continue” if you want your speaker to make calls or “Not Now” if you don’t.
Next, click on “Sign Up” to get ad emails from Google or “No Thanks” if you don’t.
Review your settings and click “Continue.”
Complete the configuration by clicking on “Finish Setup.”

What Can the Home Mini Do?

Now that you’re done setting up your Home Mini, it’s now time to use it. So what can the Home Mini do? Can it play music or take you on an audio adventure? Let’s look at a couple of things the home mini can do. Just say, “OK, Google,” and the Home Mini will respond.

Play Games

If you’re having a boring day, you can ask Google to play a game on the Home Mini. Google has many interactive games that you can play to keep you and your family entertained. You can play in these competitions alone or with a group.

Some of the games available on the Home Mini include Math Logic, Riddle Room, Ding Dong Coconut, etc. To start playing a game on the Home Mini, simply say, “OK, Google, play a game.”

Play Local News

With so much happening around the world, you might have the urge to keep up with major events or what’s happening in your locality. Fortunately, you can get local and international news on your Home Mini, thanks to Google Assistant.

When you say, “OK, Google, play me the news,” news updates will play, starting with a mix of brief news stories based on your preferences, location, and history. This news feature on the Home Mini will come in handy when you want to listen to the news as you get ready to go to work.

Play Ambient Sounds to Help You Relax and Unwind

If you’ve had a bad day at work or you simply want to unwind before you sleep, your Home Mini can relax your mind by playing various soothing and ambient sounds. The Home Mini via Google assistant can play background sounds varying from thunderstorms, running water, white noise, and ocean sounds, among others.

This ambient sound feature can also come in handy if you’re struggling to fall asleep. These sounds can be played for 12 hours consecutively if you don’t ask Google to stop. To activate the sounds, simply say, “Hey, Google, play ambient noise” or “OK, Google, help me unwind.”

Speak Two Languages

If you live in a bilingual home, there is no need to worry. The Home Mini is proficient in a couple of different languages, and you can even configure it to detect two languages at a go.

So if you add a second language to your Home Mini, it can respond in either language that you’ve selected. You can add the second language using the Google Home App on your smartphone or tablet. The Home Mini can recognize a couple of languages, including English, Japanese, Swedish, and Italian.

Plan Your Day

Your Home Mini can help you plan your day. Some of the things the Home Mini can do include getting directions for your next journey, setting up and managing your routines, checking your calendar, among others.

You can also use Google Assistant, built in the Home Mini, to manage your busy schedule. Google Assistant can execute several commands in this regard, such as setting alarms, calling your colleagues, and even confirming your shopping list. To activate the Home Mini, simply say, “Hey Google, What’s the traffic like “or “When is my next meeting.”

Find Your Phone

If you’re always misplacing your phone at home, your Home Mini can help you find it. Whether the phone is behind the couch, under a pile of clothes, or even in your closet, you can find it effortlessly. You can even ask Google Assistant to call your phone even when it’s on silent so long as you have given your Home Mini the necessary permissions beforehand.

After you have given your Home Mini access to all these permissions, all you need to do to find your missing phone is say, “Hey, Google, find my phone.” Your phone will ring at max volume, and you can find it wherever it is.

Did you also know the Home Mini can entertain your kids? The Home Mini has a host of tricks to provide infinite fun to you and your kids. For instance, you can say, ‘Ok, Google, tell me a joke’. Your kids will be rolling on the floor thanks to the Home Mini’s witty responses.

How Do You Troubleshoot the Home Mini If Something Goes Wrong During Setup?

Sometimes things go wrong when you’re in the process of setting up your Home Mini. Unfortunately, the Home App tends to freeze and crash regularly. You might be trying to pair the app with your Home Mini to no avail. Other times after setting up your Home Mini, it won’t appear on the main screen of the Home App as it should.

If you’re still in the pre-setup stage, you’ll find that troubleshooting can be quite tricky. Honestly, it’s frustrating, but you just need to be patient, and you can proceed with the setup process. Try restarting the Home App and keep trying until it works.

Restart your Home Mini. Since nothing is configured on the speaker entirely at this point, restarting it is easy. Just unplug the power cord from your Home Mini, wait for at least 10 seconds, and then plug it back in.

Restart the Home App. Ensure you’ve completely closed the Home App. If you have an older Android smartphone, there is a recent apps button; click on it and swipe up on the Home App to close it. For newer Android devices, hold the on-screen home button briefly and swipe up to close all apps. This is the same thing you do on newer iPhone models. For older iPhones, click on the home button twice and then swipe up on the Home App to close it completely.

Check if your Wi-Fi network is stable and active. It might be that your Wi-Fi is down; that’s why you’re experiencing issues as you attempt to set up your Home Mini. You can try rebooting your router and modem to fix the problem.

Also, you can reach out to the Google Nest community forum to find out how other Home Mini owners dealt with similar issues. They may have a couple of tricks up their sleeve that could work on your Home Mini.

Final Thought

To sum it all up, setting up the Home Mini is a pretty straightforward process if you follow all the prompts provided on the Home App. The Home Mini is a miniature-sized smart speaker, but don’t let that make you think it’s limited; it can execute many commands, as illustrated above.