Use Google Assistant in Hub Mode on your Pixel Tablet

Get the most out of Google Assistant in Hub Mode. To go into Hub Mode, attach your Pixel Tablet to a Charging Speaker Dock. When you’re docked in Hub Mode, you can turn on a setting that lets anyone say "Hey Google" and speak to Google Assistant, play videos, stream music, and more.

Before you start

Before you can access all media and home control features after setting up Hub Mode, you need to add your Pixel Tablet to your home in the Google Home app . Learn how to set up your Pixel Tablet in the Google Home app.
Only the Pixel Tablet's primary user can get personalized results with Google Assistant. Learn how to set up Voice Match and Personal Results.
When you download the Gemini mobile app and set up Gemini as your primary assistant, it will replace Google Assistant when your tablet is unlocked. Your Pixel Tablet will continue to use Google Assistant when locked, including in Hub Mode.
If a feature you rely on from Google Assistant isn’t supported in your Gemini mobile app, you can switch back to Google Assistant. Learn how to switch back to Google Assistant.

Lock and dock your Pixel Tablet

To use Hub Mode, make sure your Pixel Tablet is locked and properly attached to the Charging Speaker Dock. Learn how to lock and dock your Pixel Tablet.

Turn "Hey Google" on

To be able to activate Assistant with your voice, make sure you enable "Hey Google" in your Assistant settings:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Apps Assistant Hey Google & Voice Match.
Tap the slider to turn "Hey Google" commands on or off.

Let anyone speak to Google Assistant in Hub Mode

When your tablet is locked and docked, you can let Assistant respond to anyone, including guests and children, when they say "Hey Google." They can ask Assistant questions, play music, control smart home devices, and more.

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Hub Mode Assistant Let anyone talk to Assistant in Hub Mode.
To turn this setting off, tap it again.

Important: Google Assistant might respond to "Hey Google" even when this setting is turned off. If you enable power button control of Assistant, anyone can activate it by pressing and holding the power button.

Stream movies, music and more in Hub Mode

To use Google Assistant to stream movies and music in Hub Mode, you need to turn on this setting:

Open your device's Settings app .
Tap Hub Mode Assistant turn on Use Assistant to play music, movies, and more when your tablet is locked.

Tip: If you turn on this setting and Let anyone talk to Assistant in Hub Mode, anyone can say "Hey Google" when the tablet is locked to play media services that you link to your Pixel Tablet. To play music when your tablet is in Hub Mode, try saying, "Hey Google, play some music."

Important:

Some of these steps work only on Android 15 and up. Learn how to update your Android version.
Some features aren't available in all countries or languages.

To dock your Pixel Tablet and use Hub Mode, you need a Charging Speaker Dock.
You might need to unlock the tablet before you can use Google Assistant voice commands to play news, radio, podcasts, or other media from certain apps and services.
When you download the Gemini mobile app and set up Gemini as your primary assistant, it will replace Google Assistant when your tablet is unlocked. Your Pixel Tablet will continue to use Google Assistant when locked, including in Hub Mode.
If a feature you rely on isn’t supported in your Gemini mobile app, you can switch back to Google Assistant. Learn how to switch back to Google Assistant.

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