If you have a Roomba and a Google Home speaker sitting in the same house, you might be wondering if they can talk to each other or if they are just two separate gadgets doing their own thing. This post looks at how iRobot and Google Home work together, which Roomba and Braava models connect, and what you need in place before you start linking anything. It will also give you the different voice commands you can say to make your robot cleaner start cleaning for you.
Do iRobot / Roomba Devices Work With Google Home?
Most Wi-Fi connected Roomba and Braava models work with Google Home. This usually includes Roomba models that use the iRobot Home app, such as the 600, 800, 900, e, i, j, and s series, along with Braava jet models that connect through the same app. Very old Roomba models that do not have Wi-Fi, or basic models that only use a remote or buttons on the top, do not work with Google Home. If your robot shows up in the iRobot Home app and connects to your home Wi-Fi, there is a good chance it can connect to Google Home.
Before you start, you need a stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, the iRobot Home app on your phone, and the Google Home app on your phone. Your Roomba or Braava should already be set up in the iRobot Home app and connected to your Wi-Fi. You also need a Google Account and either a Google Nest speaker, Nest Hub, or the Google Home app on your phone for voice control. Make sure the firmware on your robot and both apps are up to date, since older software can cause setup problems or limit features.
How To Connect Your iRobot / Roomba Device To Google Home
To start, open the iRobot Home app on your phone and make sure your Roomba is already set up and connected to Wi-Fi. Go to the settings or smart home section in the app and look for the option for Google Assistant. Turn on the toggle or follow the on-screen steps to allow voice control. The app may ask you to sign in to your iRobot account again or to confirm that you want to link to Google. Finish these steps before you move over to the Google Home or Google Assistant app.
To link Roomba through the Google Home app, open the Google Home app and make sure you are signed in with the same Google account you plan to use with your smart speakers or displays. Tap the plus icon, then choose the option to set up a device and pick the choice to work with Google. Search for iRobot in the list of brands, select it, and then log in with your iRobot account details when asked. After you sign in and allow access, your Roomba should appear as a device in the Google Home app, and you can place it in a room and adjust its name if you want.
You can also link Roomba through the Google Assistant app. Open the Google Assistant app, tap on your profile picture, and go to the devices or home control section. Look for an option to add a device, then search for iRobot in the services list. Select iRobot, then sign in with your iRobot account and approve the link. Once this is done, your Roomba will be connected to Google Assistant, and you can control it with voice commands through any linked Google device that uses the same Google account.
Google Home Voice Commands For Roomba
Once your Roomba is linked to Google Home, you can use simple voice commands to control basic cleaning. Common phrases include “Hey Google, start cleaning,” “Hey Google, pause Roomba,” “Hey Google, resume cleaning,” and “Hey Google, stop vacuuming.” You can also send it back to the dock by saying “Hey Google, send Roomba home” or “Hey Google, dock the vacuum.” The exact wording can change a bit, but sticking to “start,” “pause,” “resume,” “stop,” and “dock” usually works well.
You can also ask Google about what your Roomba is doing. For example, “Hey Google, where is Roomba?” or “Hey Google, what is Roomba doing?” can give you status updates. If your robot supports it, you can trigger a locating sound with something like “Hey Google, find my Roomba” to help track it down if it gets stuck. Naming your robot in the iRobot app, such as “Living Room Roomba” or “RoboVac,” makes voice control easier, since you can say “Hey Google, start RoboVac” instead of using a generic name.
For models that support smart maps and room or zone control, you can use commands that focus on specific areas. You might say “Hey Google, ask Roomba to clean the kitchen,” “Hey Google, vacuum the living room,” or “Hey Google, tell Roomba to clean under the table” if you have set up zones or object-based areas in the iRobot app. Some robots also support favorites, so after you save a favorite cleaning job, you can trigger it with “Hey Google, start my favorite cleaning” or by the favorite’s name, such as “Hey Google, ask Roomba to start Pet Hair Clean.” The exact options depend on your Roomba model and what you have set up in the app.
In Summary
Most Wi-Fi connected Roomba and Braava models that work with the iRobot Home app can connect to Google Home, as long as you have the right apps, a steady 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, and a Google Account. Once you link your iRobot account through the Google Home or Google Assistant app, your robot shows up as a device you can control by voice. From there, you can start, stop, pause, resume, and dock your Roomba with simple commands, ask what it is doing, and, on supported models, send it to specific rooms or zones or run saved favorites. If your robot is in the iRobot Home app and on your Wi-Fi, and you are willing to walk through a few setup screens, you can usually get your Roomba and Google Home working together so your vacuum is just another device you talk to instead of one more thing you have to walk over and start by hand.
