What you need to know
- The Google Home API and Home runtime are now available for all Android developers to use in beta.
- These tools make it easier to manage apps, connect smart home devices, and support Matter.
- Eve, Nanoleaf and LG have already launched apps on the Google Play Store using this integration, with more coming soon.
Google has announced two new ways for smart home developers to integrate Google Home into their own Android apps. Google I/O last year: Home APIs and home runtime. In late 2024, some smart home developers were able to try out these new integrations, with Eve, Nanoleaf, and LG already putting them in their apps on the Google Play Store. The Home API and runtime are now moving into public beta for developers, meaning they can be used by any Android developer.
There are several types of Google Home APIs that will now be available for use in all Android apps, including Device and Structure APIs, Commissioning APIAnd Automation API. Device and Fabric APIs enable Android apps to manage and control smart home devices in the Google Home and Matter ecosystems. Google claims that there are more than 600 million smart home products that can be controlled using this new API.
Likewise, the Onboarding API makes it easy to connect new smart home products to select Android devices using Fast Pair. In addition to enabling Fast Pair support on three billion eligible Android devices, this API will also add support for Google Assistant voice control and Matter device connectivity. Using the API, third-party developers can allow their users to configure new smart home hardware in their own application.
Finally, the automation API allows you to create Google home page automation directly from the developer’s own application. These tools will first be available to Android developers and will come to iOS later.
In its blog, Google described how Eve, Nanosheetand LG used these new APIs to provide new features in their smart home apps:
- “Eve was able to unlock advanced features for its users, such as auxiliary heating schedules on Eve Thermo, and also expand its presence in the Android ecosystem, laying a solid foundation for future development.
- Nanosheet used the Home API to make entertainment even more fun by providing customers with simple voice commands to turn on the Nanoleaf 4D screen mirroring light strip.
- LG used the Home API to integrate Google Home devices directly into a smart home TV system.”
Now that the Home APIs and runtime are publicly available developer tools, you’ll start to see new features coming to more of your favorite apps. Google says Aqara, GE, Cync, and Yale are several other early access partners that will soon be adding cross-platform experiences using these tools.
Currently, Android developers can test these APIs with up to 100 users. They will become widely available later this year when the Home APIs come out of beta.