The fastest way to reconnect Google Home to a new network
To change the WiFi network your Google Home uses, open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the device, go to Settings, select WiFi, and choose "Change WiFi Network." Then enter your new network name and password. The whole process takes about two minutes and doesn't require a factory reset.
This is the method you'll use most often — when you switch internet providers, move to a new home, change your router, or upgrade your WiFi password. Google Home remembers your device settings, automations, and room assignments; you're only telling it where to find the internet.
Key Takeaways
- The Google Home app on your phone is the only way to change WiFi — you cannot do it from the device itself or through a web browser.
- Your Google Home must already be connected to WiFi (even if it's the old network) for the app to find it and let you change networks.
- If your Google Home is completely offline or won't connect to the app, you'll need to factory reset it and set it up as new.
- The device will disconnect from the old network and reconnect to the new one within 30 seconds; you don't need to unplug it.
- If the new network has the same name and password as the old one, Google Home may reconnect automatically without you doing anything.
Step-by-step: changing your WiFi in the Google Home app
Start by opening the Google Home app on the phone or tablet you use to control your Google Home. Make sure you're signed in with the same Google account that set up the device. If you have multiple Google Home devices, the app will show them all.
Find the Google Home device you want to change and tap it. This opens the device card. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings. Scroll down and tap "WiFi." You'll see the network name it's currently connected to. Tap "Change WiFi Network."
The app will scan for available networks and show you a list. Tap the network you want to connect to. Enter the password for that network — this is the same password you use on your phone or computer to join it. Tap "Connect." The device will disconnect from the old network and join the new one. This usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.
Once it reconnects, the app will confirm the new network name in the WiFi settings. Your Google Home is now on the new network and will respond to voice commands as usual. All your routines, automations, and room assignments stay in place.
What to do if the app can't find your device
If you open the Google Home app and your device doesn't appear, or if it appears but you can't tap into its settings, the device is not connected to any WiFi network. This happens when the device has been unplugged for a while, the old network has been deleted, or the device lost connection and couldn't reconnect on its own.
In this case, you cannot change the WiFi through the app — you have to factory reset the device and set it up again from scratch. Unplug the Google Home for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. While it's booting up, press and hold the reset button (usually on the bottom or back of the device) for about 15 seconds until you hear a sound or see a light change. The device will restart and enter setup mode.
Open the Google Home app, tap the plus icon to add a device, and follow the setup steps. The app will ask you to choose a network and enter the password. Once setup is complete, the device will be on your new network. You'll need to add it back to any rooms and recreate any automations that were specific to that device.
When your Google Home reconnects automatically
If you change your WiFi password but keep the same network name, or if you get a new router that broadcasts the same network name and password as the old one, Google Home may reconnect without you doing anything. This happens because the device already knows the network name and tries the old password first.
Check the Google Home app a few minutes after your network change. If the device shows as connected and responds to voice commands, you're done. If it shows as offline or unresponsive, use the "Change WiFi Network" method described above to enter the new password.
Troubleshooting: device won't connect to the new network
If you enter the correct password but the device keeps showing as offline, the problem is usually one of these: the password you entered has a typo, the device is too far from the router, or the router isn't broadcasting the network name (SSID).
First, go back into Settings and try changing the WiFi again. Delete the password field completely and type it in slowly, paying attention to capital letters and special characters. Passwords are case-sensitive. If you're not sure of the exact password, check your router's label or log into your router's settings on a computer to confirm it.
If the password is correct, move the Google Home closer to the router — at least in the same room — and try again. Once it connects, you can move it back to its original location. If it still won't connect, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait two minutes for it to fully boot. Then try connecting the Google Home again.
If none of these steps work, the device may have a hardware issue or the router may not be compatible. Try the factory reset method: unplug the device for 10 seconds, plug it back in, hold the reset button for 15 seconds, and set it up again as a new device on the new network.
What happens to your settings and automations
When you change WiFi using the "Change WiFi Network" option in the app, Google Home keeps everything: your device name, the room it's assigned to, any routines you created, and any automations that involve that device. You don't lose anything because you're not resetting the device — you're just telling it to use a different internet connection.
If you have to factory reset the device because it won't connect to the app, you will lose device-specific settings. The device will be named "Google Home" again instead of whatever you called it, and it won't be assigned to a room. Any routine or automation that was tied to that specific device will need to be recreated. Routines and automations that involve other devices (like "turn on the lights when I say goodnight") will still work on those other devices.
Changing WiFi on multiple Google Home devices
If you have more than one Google Home device, you can change them one at a time or all at once, depending on your situation. Open the Google Home app and you'll see all your devices listed. Tap each one and change its WiFi individually using the steps above. You don't have to do them all at once — you can change one, wait for it to reconnect, then move to the next.
If all your devices are on the same old network and you're switching to a new network with the same name and password, they may all reconnect automatically. Check the app a few minutes after the network change to see which devices are still offline, then change those individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change WiFi from the Google Home device itself, without the app?
No. Google Home devices don't have a screen or buttons for WiFi settings. The only way to change the network is through the Google Home app on your phone or tablet. If you don't have the app, read it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
What if I forgot my new WiFi password?
You'll need to find or reset the password before you can connect Google Home. On most routers, you can log in to the router's settings page (usually at 192.168.1.1 in a web browser) using the admin password printed on the router's label. From there you can see or change the WiFi password. If you don't have access to the router, contact your internet provider or the person who set up the network.
Do I need to unplug Google Home before changing WiFi?
No. Leave it plugged in and connected to the old network while you change the WiFi through the app. The device will handle the switch automatically. Unplugging it is only necessary if the device is completely offline and won't respond to the app.
Will my Google Home lose connection to other smart home devices?
No. Google Home controls other devices through your WiFi network, so as long as those devices are also on the new network, everything will work the same way. If you have a smart light or plug that's still on the old network, it won't respond to Google Home commands until you connect it to the new network too.
How long does it take for Google Home to reconnect after I change WiFi?
Usually 10 to 30 seconds. The device will disconnect from the old network, find the new one, and reconnect. During this time it won't respond to voice commands. Once the app shows it as connected, you can use it normally.