Google Home for Windows: how to use the app on a laptop

Google Home for Windows is possible, but only if you’re willing to jump through a few hoops. Basically, you need a special software for this. In this article, we explain exactly what software you need and how to install the Google Home app on a PC running Windows.

Maybe you don’t have an Android or iOS device, but you would love to use things such as Chromecast and Google Home. The first group of users, can easily do this by using Google Chrome or Firefox browsers, for instance. But what about the second group of users?

Google Home for Windows

We get you out of the dream right away: you can’t just install the Google Home app on Windows, nor the Google Assistant, no matter what version you have. But, you do can install it through a workaround on your computer or laptop with Windows 10 or Windows 11 running.

So it’s not impossible to use Google Home on Windows. You just have to make a little more effort than you might be used to. It’s not just a simple matter of looking up the right software in the Microsoft Store, downloading it and being able to do what you want right away.

Then how do we get this work done? Actually, the answer to that question is very straightforward: you just download an Android emulator. With this emulator on your PC, you can emulate the Android environment on hardware that is not intended for it. However, it is very convenient!

google-home-and-chromecast
Via: Google

The Android emulator

An emulator is by no means illegal software. On the contrary, it is a useful program that allows you to use elements of, or complete operating systems on, devices made for a different purpose. This way, you are not dependent on smartphones and tablets using Android.

The moment you use an Android emulator on your Windows computer, you can run Android applications on your Windows PC. With the launch of Windows 11, this has become quite easy for everyone, as Microsoft is partnering with Amazon.

Through the Microsoft Store, you can (soon) download the Amazon App Store. When you do that, you are able to install all kinds of Android applications without too much trouble. In that case, we are only talking about the Android apps that Amazon offers; those offers are quite different from the Google Play Store.

Therefore – even as a Windows 11 user – it is still a good idea to use an emulator. The most well-known and popular Android emulator is Bluestacks. With this program, you can easily run Google Home on Windows, regardless of the version you are currently running.

bluestacks
Via: Bluestacks

Google Home for Windows via Bluestacks

Please note that your computer must meet a number of requirements. You need at least Windows 7 and a recently updated graphics card. Your processor must be from Intel or AMD and you require at least 2 GB of working memory and 5 GB of storage memory.

Also, you have to be the administrator of your own computer. For the best experience, use Windows 10 (otherwise 11), have at least 8 GB of working memory, use a solid state drive (ssd) in your PC, and have a fast or modern graphics card.

INSTALLING Bluestacks
Go to the website of Bluestacks and download the latest version of the program. Then follow the steps below.
Save the download file (installation file) and open it in order to install it.
If all goes well, you will now see an installation file at the bottom of your browser window.
After installing, Bluestacks should start automatically. This may take some time. The time it takes to start depends on how fast your computer is.
Installing Bluestacks itself takes no time at all; you simply have to follow the steps shown on your screen.
Once the program is open, you will need to log in with your Google profile.
Don’t have a Google account? Then create one here. You need this account to access Google Play. Otherwise, you are not able to download apps.
After logging in, you can download the apps you want, including Google Home.
You can do this through the search field of the download store.
bluestacks
Via: Bluestacks

Installing Google Home for Windows

Did you succeed in installing Bluestacks? Awesome! Then you can now install Google Home on Windows. Luckily, this goes way faster than installing the Windows program. First, you have to open the Bluestacks program on your computer. Next, you open Google Play (the download store).

At the top of the Android store, you’ll find a search bar. Here, you enter that you are looking for Google Home. Open the Google Home page and press the green install button. After installing, the app will appear in the bar and on the home screen. Now, open Google Home and sign in with your Google account.

At this point, you can install Google Home if you want. You do so just as you do on Android and iOS. Add a house, install different Google Home devices and get information about things like weather and traffic. Run through all the settings carefully for a personalized experience.

If you would like to start over, you can reset Google Home. It involves a slight detour, but eventually you’ll get the Google Home app working on a Windows computer.

5 thoughts on “Google Home for Windows: how to use the app on a laptop”

  1. There is a step missing in this tutorial. Bluestacks installs android 7.0 by default but Google Home requires at least 8.0, this is why it does not show in the store. Find the multi-instance manager in Bluestacks and click on + Instance and select Android Pie, which is 9.0 I believe. In this new instance you should be able to see the Google Home in the Play Store.

    Reply
  2. Very nice tutorial. I have Bluestacks running on both Windows 10 PC and Windows 11 PC both using OnBoard Graphics. I also have the Google Play Store installed as well as Google Nest and Google Voice. However, my main objective was Google Home! When I search Google Play Store, Google Home IS NOT even listed to download and install. Any ideas? Is it possible that Google has somehow blocked this App?

    Thank you, Allen

    Reply

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