If you're a proud owner of an Xbox One or Series X/S console and a Google Home device, you'll be delighted to know that you can use your voice to control your gaming experience. With the help of Google Assistant, you can turn on your Xbox, launch games, adjust settings, and even record gameplay clips. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of setting up your Xbox and Google Home to work together seamlessly.

Step 1: connect your Xbox to your network

A user playing their Xbox, holding their controller to the camera.

First things first, ensure that your Xbox is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Google Home device. To do this, go to Settings on your Xbox, select Network, and then select Set up wireless network. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your network.

Step 2: link your Xbox and Google Home accounts

Next, you need to link your Xbox and Google Home accounts. Here's how:

1. Open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Tap the + icon in the top left corner of the screen to add a new device.
3. Select Set up device and then choose Works with Google.
4. Search for Xbox in the list of supported devices and select it.
5. Sign in with your Xbox account details and follow the on-screen instructions to link your accounts.

Step 3: start using voice commands

An Xbox controller by a keyboard

Once your Xbox and Google Home are linked, you can start using voice commands to control your console. Here are some examples of what you can do:

1. Turn on your Xbox: Say "Hey Google, turn on Xbox" and your console will power up.
2. Launch a game: Say "Hey Google, launch [game name]" and the game will start.
3. Adjust the volume: Say "Hey Google, turn up/down the volume on Xbox" and the volume will change.
4. Record a clip: Say "Hey Google, record that" and the Xbox will record the last 30 seconds of gameplay.
5. Take a screenshot: Say "Hey Google, take a screenshot on Xbox" and the Xbox will capture a screenshot.

Step 4: customise your commands

A Google Home assistant
 If you want to customise your voice commands, you can do so through the Google Home app. Here's how:

1. Open the Google Home app and go to Settings.
2. Select the Xbox device you want to customise.
3. Tap on Shortcuts and then Add new.
4. Enter your custom command and the action you want to perform.
5. Save your shortcut and you're good to go.

In conclusion, controlling your Xbox with Google Home is a convenient and fun way to interact with your console. With just a few voice commands, you can start playing your favourite games and adjust settings without having to lift a finger. Follow the steps outlined in this article to set up your Xbox and Google Home, and start enjoying the seamless integration of these two devices.