Google Assistant IFTTT Recipes: 7 Useful Automations

This guide walks you through seven genuinely useful Google Assistant IFTTT recipes—automations that connect your Assistant to thousands of other apps and devices. You’ll learn the exact ingredients (the applets and services you need) and step-by-step instructions to set them up, so you can make your Assistant do more than answer questions.

Ingredients

• 1 Google Account (free)
• 1 IFTTT account (free, at ifttt.com)
• 1 Google Assistant device or the Google Assistant app on your phone
• 1 compatible smart home device or app (e.g., Philips Hue, Nest, Spotify, Gmail) – depending on the recipes you choose
• Optional: 1 smart speaker or display (like Google Nest Mini or Nest Hub) for hands-free use

Instructions

1. Create your IFTTT account. Go to ifttt.com and sign up with your email or Google account. If you already have an account, just log in.
2. Connect your Google Assistant. In IFTTT, click your profile icon and select “Services.” Search for “Google Assistant” and click “Connect.” Follow the prompts to grant IFTTT permission to use your Assistant. You’ll need to allow access to your Google account.
3. Connect other services. For each recipe, you’ll also need to connect the other service involved (e.g., Philips Hue, Spotify, Gmail). Do this the same way: find the service in IFTTT and click “Connect.”
4. Browse or create applets. Go to the “Explore” tab in IFTTT and search for “Google Assistant” to see existing applets. You can also create your own by clicking “Create” and then “If This Then That.”
5. Set up the “This” trigger. Choose “Google Assistant” as the service, then pick a trigger like “Say a simple phrase.” Type the exact phrase you want to use, e.g., “Hey Google, I’m home.” You can also add a second phrase as an alternative.
6. Set up the “That” action. Choose the service you want to act (e.g., Philips Hue) and then the action (e.g., “Turn on lights”). Configure the action details—for lights, you might specify which lights and brightness.
7. Finish and test. Click “Create Action” and then “Finish.” Wait a few minutes for the applet to activate, then say your trigger phrase to your Google Assistant. If it doesn’t work, check that both services are connected and the phrase matches exactly.

Tips

• Use clear, unique phrases. Avoid common phrases like “turn on the lights” that might conflict with built-in Assistant commands. Use specific phrases like “movie time” or “good night.”
• Test each applet individually. After creating an applet, test it right away. If it fails, go back to the applet and check the service connections and action settings.
• Combine multiple actions. IFTTT only allows one trigger and one action per applet, but you can create multiple applets with the same trigger phrase to perform several actions. For example, “movie time” could turn off lights, lower the thermostat, and start your TV.
• Use filters for more control. IFTTT Pro (paid) adds filters and multiple actions, but the free version still offers plenty of useful automations.

Serving Suggestions

These recipes are best used as daily conveniences. Here are a few popular ones to try:

• “Hey Google, I’m home” – Turns on your lights and adjusts your thermostat.
• “Hey Google, good night” – Locks your smart door, turns off all lights, and sets your alarm.
• “Hey Google, add milk to my shopping list” – Adds an item to your Todoist or Any.do list.
• “Hey Google, play my morning playlist” – Starts a specific Spotify playlist and turns up your speaker volume.
• “Hey Google, send a message to [contact]” – Sends a pre-written email via Gmail to a specific person.
• “Hey Google, log my weight” – Logs your weight to a Google Sheets spreadsheet.
• “Hey Google, start my day” – Turns on your coffee maker (if compatible) and reads your calendar events.

Variations

• Use a different trigger. Instead of a phrase, you can trigger applets by asking for a specific weather report, or by saying a phrase with a number (like “set a timer for X minutes”).
• Add a delay. Some services like Philips Hue allow you to set a delay in the action, so you can say “Hey Google, good night” and the lights turn off after 5 minutes.
• Use a webhook. For advanced users, IFTTT’s Webhooks service can trigger external APIs, letting you connect Google Assistant to almost any online service.
• Incorporate location. Use the Location service as a trigger—for example, when you arrive home, your Assistant can announce a welcome message.

Storage and Reheating

Your applets stay active until you turn them off or delete them. To manage them, go to IFTTT and click “My Applets.” You can pause an applet by toggling it off, or edit it by clicking on it. Applets typically trigger within a few seconds of your command, but sometimes there’s a slight delay. If an applet stops working, check that both services are still connected (reconnect if needed) and that your Google Assistant is online. There’s no need to “reheat”—just make sure your devices are on and connected to Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use IFTTT with Google Assistant for free?
Yes, the basic IFTTT plan is free and includes up to 3 active applets. That’s enough for most users. If you need more, IFTTT Pro costs a monthly fee and allows unlimited applets and advanced features like filters.

Why isn’t my Google Assistant responding to my IFTTT phrase?
First, make sure the phrase is exactly as you set it in the applet. Also check that the Google Assistant service is connected in IFTTT and that your Assistant device is online. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for a new applet to activate—try again after 5 minutes.

Can I use IFTTT with Google Assistant on my phone?
Yes, the Google Assistant app on your phone works with IFTTT just like a smart speaker. Just say the trigger phrase to your Assistant, and the applet will run.

What are the best IFTTT recipes for Google Assistant?
The best ones are those that save you time: controlling lights, adding to shopping lists, logging data to spreadsheets, and sending quick messages. Start with one or two that match your daily routine.

Can I have multiple actions for one trigger phrase?
On the free plan, no—each applet only does one action. But you can create multiple applets with the same trigger phrase. For example, create one applet for “movie time” to turn off lights, and another to start your TV. They’ll both run when you say the phrase.

Is there a delay between saying the phrase and the action happening?
Usually it’s just a few seconds, but it can be longer if the service is slow or your internet is laggy. If you notice a consistent delay, check your network and the service’s status.

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