Why can’t I change the Google Home wake word?

One reason could be that Google Assistant supports multiple languages and as each of these come with their own language-appropriate wake word, it may be too big a job to allow everyone some sort of personalisation. 

The one good thing about Google’s wake word is that it’s unique and isn’t a name that your family or friends will share, reducing the chances that it will be set off accidentally.   

Even though you can’t change the wake word, there are a few things you can do to personalise your Google speaker. 

There are currently two British voices to choose from, one female and one male. In the past, Google has also teamed up with celebrities such as musician John Legend to lend their voices to the Assistant.  

To change the voice: 

1. Open the Google Assistant app on your phone. Tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.
2. Tap on “Assistant voice & sounds” and then click on Assistant Voice. Tap circles to preview the available voices.
3. Select the voice you want Google Assistant to use. Tap the back button (the arrow in the left-hand corner of the screen) to save and exit.

If you want to access even more voices, you can change the language (see below) to English (US) and you’ll get more to choose from – but bear in mind that most of them are American. 

You’ll be asked for your first name when you register your device, but if you then pass it on to someone else or prefer a less formal version of your name to be used, you can still change the name Google Assistant calls you.

To change your nickname: 

1. Open the Google Assistant app on your phone. Tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.
2. Tap on “Nickname”.
3. Choose the name you want the Assistant to call you. You can play the way it will sound so if the AI can’t quite pronounce your name right, there’s an opportunity to spell it out phonetically. 

If you want to talk to your Google speaker in different languages, you can change the settings via your app. When you add a language, you can speak with the Google Assistant and it will respond in the same language.  

You can use up to two different languages on each device, but while you can talk to the Assistant in your choice of language, you can’t mix them up in the same command. Also, bear in mind that some features aren’t available in all languages.  

To change the language: 

1. Open the Google Assistant app on your phone. Tap on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.
2. Tap on “Languages”
3. Tap on “Add a language” and choose from the list.

If you’d like to try out the Google Assistant there are a few ways to do so, from smartphones and tablets, to smart speakers and displays and even your TV.

All smartphones and tablets which run Google’s Android operating system provide access to the firm’s smart voice assistant.

This includes all phones and tablets from major manufacturers such as Samsung, Nokia, Sony, Motorola, Oppo and of course, Google itself (plus many more).

You can even get Google Assistant on your iPhone or iPad if Apple’s own offering – Siri – isn’t working out for you. For this to work you’ll need to download the Google Assistant app from the App Store.

Another easy way for you to try out Google Assistant is to purchase a smart speaker or smart display with it built in.

Google currently has a modest quartet of devices which allow you to utilise its assistant around your home; the Nest Audio and Nest Mini smart speakers and Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max smart displays.

If you have a smart TV with Android TV, you’ll be able to access Google Assistant.

And if your TV doesn’t have the support built in, you can purchase a Chromecast with Google TV which simply plugs into the HDMI port on your television and gives you access to a range of services and features – including the voice assistant.

Featured product

Chromecast with Google TV (HD)

RRP: £34.99

Check price

Check price