Google Home users hack Gemini onto devices via URL trick
â–Ľ Summary
– A Reddit user has shared a method to force-enable Gemini on Google Home devices before its official rollout.
– The trick involves entering a specific URL in Chrome’s address bar and selecting a particular option.
– While some users report successfully triggering a Google Home Premium trial for full Gemini, many only get Gemini’s voice.
– The method’s success is inconsistent, often requiring multiple attempts and clearing the app’s cache.
– Even if the setup prompt appears, the full Gemini update is not guaranteed and may take up to 48 hours.
A clever workaround has surfaced, allowing some Google Home users to potentially activate the Gemini AI assistant ahead of its official, widespread release. This method, discovered and shared within the Reddit community, involves a specific URL entered into a web browser. While the process is straightforward, it appears to be highly inconsistent, with many users reporting only partial success, such as gaining access to Gemini’s voice without the full suite of smart features.
The technique requires opening the Chrome browser and typing a particular address into the navigation bar: `googlehome://assistant/voice/setup`. After entering this, users should select the option marked with a globe icon. Initially, this shortcut merely changed the default voice on compatible speakers to one of Gemini’s synthesized voices. However, the original poster who shared the discovery claims that after repeated attempts over several days, they were eventually prompted to begin a free trial of Google Home Premium, which is a prerequisite for unlocking Gemini’s advanced capabilities for smart home management.
Following this prompt and signing up for the trial, the user reportedly received an email that resembled the initial setup communication for the full Gemini for Home experience. This has led to speculation that the URL trick might act as a trigger for the backend update process. Community feedback is mixed, with several individuals confirming the method worked for them, while a larger number state they only achieved the voice change and never saw the premium trial offer or subsequent setup email.
For those attempting this, patience is essential. The original poster suggests force-stopping the Google Home application, clearing its cache, and then retrying the URL entry multiple times to potentially elicit the premium prompt. Even if successful, the actual device update to integrate Gemini for Home is not instantaneous; reports indicate it could take up to two days to complete. This workaround offers a glimpse at the upcoming functionality but comes with no guarantee, functioning more as an unpredictable early access trigger than a reliable installation method.
(Source: Android Authority)
