How to Connect LIFX to Google Home

Prerequisites

To successfully connect your LIFX bulbs to Google Home, you will need a few things in place. Here are the prerequisites:

LIFX bulbs: Ensure that you have the LIFX smart bulbs installed in the rooms you want to control with Google Home. These bulbs can be easily purchased from authorized retailers or online.
Google Home device: It’s important to have a Google Home device, such as a Google Home Mini, Google Nest Hub, or any other Google Home-compatible smart speaker. This device will serve as the central hub for controlling your LIFX bulbs using voice commands.
Stable Wi-Fi Connection: A stable and reliable Wi-Fi network is necessary for the LIFX bulbs and the Google Home device to communicate seamlessly. Make sure your Wi-Fi router is working correctly and has a strong signal in the areas where the bulbs are installed.
Google Home app: Install the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet. This app allows you to set up and manage your Google Home device and connected smart devices like LIFX bulbs.
LIFX app: Download and install the LIFX app from the App Store or Google Play Store. This app is used to control your LIFX bulbs and customize their settings.

Once you have these prerequisites in place, you’re ready to move on to the next steps in connecting your LIFX bulbs to Google Home. Ensuring that you have all the necessary components and apps will make the setup process smooth and hassle-free.

Step 1: Set up your LIFX bulbs

Before you can connect your LIFX bulbs to Google Home, you need to ensure that they are properly set up and ready to be controlled. Here’s how to set up your LIFX bulbs:

Screw in the bulbs: Begin by screwing in the LIFX bulbs into the desired light fixtures in your home. Ensure that the bulbs are securely in place.
Power on the bulbs: Turn on the power to the light fixtures where the LIFX bulbs are installed. The bulbs will automatically boot up and emit a soft glow, indicating that they are ready to be connected.
Download the LIFX app: If you haven’t done so already, download and install the LIFX app from the App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone or tablet.
Open the LIFX app: Launch the LIFX app and sign in or create a new account if prompted.
Follow the on-screen instructions: The LIFX app will guide you through the process of adding your bulbs. Typically, you will need to connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network dedicated to the LIFX bulbs and follow the app’s instructions to pair the bulbs with your phone.
Give your bulbs a name: Once the setup is complete, you can assign unique names to each LIFX bulb for easy identification. For example, you can use names like “Living Room Lamp” or “Bedroom Ceiling Light.”

Once you have successfully set up your LIFX bulbs using the LIFX app, you are ready to proceed with connecting them to Google Home. The next steps will guide you through the process of integrating your LIFX bulbs with the Google Home app and the Google Assistant.

Step 2: Connect LIFX to the Google Home app

To control your LIFX bulbs with Google Home, you need to connect them to the Google Home app. Follow these steps to establish the connection:

Open the Google Home app: Launch the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure you are signed in with the same Google account used for your Google Home device.
Tap the ‘+’ icon: Look for the ‘+’ icon in the upper-left corner of the app’s home screen, then tap on it to start the device setup process.
Select “Set up device”: From the options presented, choose “Set up device” to proceed with connecting your LIFX bulbs.
Choose “Have something already set up?”: On the next screen, select the option that says “Have something already set up?” This will allow you to connect your existing LIFX bulbs.
Search for LIFX: In the search bar, type “LIFX” and select it from the list of available options.
Follow the on-screen instructions: The Google Home app will guide you through the process of linking your LIFX account to the app. You may need to sign in with your LIFX account credentials to authorize the connection.
Sync your devices: After successfully connecting your LIFX account, the Google Home app will sync with your LIFX bulbs. Wait for the app to detect and display all your LIFX bulbs on the screen.
Assign rooms: To easily identify and control the bulbs, assign them to specific rooms within the Google Home app. For example, you can assign bulbs to the “Living Room” or “Kitchen” rooms.

Once your LIFX bulbs are connected to the Google Home app, you have laid the foundation for controlling them with Google Home. The next step will guide you in linking your LIFX bulbs with the Google Assistant for voice control.

Step 3: Link LIFX with Google Assistant

To control your LIFX bulbs using voice commands through Google Home, you need to link LIFX with Google Assistant. Follow these steps to complete the linking process:

Open the Google Home app: Launch the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
Tap the [hamburger icon] menu: Look for the [hamburger icon] menu in the top left corner of the app’s home screen and tap on it.
Select “Settings”: Scroll through the menu options and select “Settings” to access the Google Home settings.
Choose “Assistant”: In the Settings menu, locate and tap on “Assistant.” This will bring up the settings related to Google Assistant.
Select “Home Control”: Within the Assistant settings, find and tap on “Home Control” to access the home control options.
Tap the ‘+’ icon: Look for the ‘+’ icon at the bottom right corner of the Home Control screen and tap on it.
Search for LIFX: In the search bar, type “LIFX” and select it from the list of available options.
Link your LIFX account: The Google Home app will prompt you to sign in with your LIFX account credentials to authorize the connection to Google Assistant. Sign in and follow the on-screen instructions to link your LIFX account.
Give permission to Google Assistant: Once linked, you may need to grant permission to Google Assistant to access and control your LIFX bulbs.
Sync devices: Allow the Google Home app to sync with your LIFX bulbs, detecting and displaying them in the Google Assistant settings.

Upon successfully linking your LIFX account with Google Assistant, you can now control your LIFX bulbs using voice commands through Google Home. The final step will guide you in using Google Home to control your LIFX bulbs effortlessly.

Step 4: Control your LIFX bulbs with Google Home

Now that your LIFX bulbs are connected to Google Home and linked with Google Assistant, you can easily control them using voice commands. Here’s how to control your LIFX bulbs with Google Home:

Activate Google Assistant: Say the wake phrase “Okay Google” or “Hey Google” to activate Google Assistant on your Google Home device. You can also use the Google Assistant app on your smartphone or tablet.
Give your command: After activating Google Assistant, simply say the command to control your LIFX bulbs. For instance, you could say, “Hey Google, turn on the living room lights,” or “Okay Google, dim the bedroom lights to 50%.”
Experiment with commands: Google Assistant supports various commands to control your LIFX bulbs. You can change the color, brightness, and even set up routines or schedules. Explore different commands to find what works best for you.
Control by room: If you assigned your LIFX bulbs to specific rooms in the Google Home app, you can include the room name in your command. For example, saying “Hey Google, turn off the kitchen lights” will only affect the bulbs in the kitchen.
Control through the Google Home app: If you prefer manual control, you can also use the Google Home app to turn your LIFX bulbs on or off, adjust their brightness, or change the color. Simply open the app, navigate to the device controls, and make the desired adjustments.

With Google Home and Google Assistant, controlling your LIFX bulbs becomes effortless and convenient. Enjoy the hands-free experience of commanding your lights with your voice and explore the various possibilities of creating the perfect ambiance in your home.

Troubleshooting connectivity issues

While connecting LIFX bulbs to Google Home, you may encounter some connectivity issues. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help resolve common problems:

Check your Wi-Fi connection: Ensure that your Wi-Fi network is stable and has a strong signal. Weak or intermittent Wi-Fi can cause connectivity problems. Try moving your Google Home device and LIFX bulbs closer to the Wi-Fi router or consider using a Wi-Fi extender.
Power cycle your devices: Turn off the power to your LIFX bulbs and Google Home device, wait for a few seconds, and then power them back on. This process can sometimes resolve connectivity issues caused by temporary glitches.
Update firmware and apps: Check for any firmware updates for your LIFX bulbs and make sure you are using the latest version of the Google Home app and the LIFX app. Outdated firmware or apps can have compatibility issues.
Reset and reconfigure: If all else fails, you can try resetting your LIFX bulbs and reconfiguring them. Refer to the LIFX app or support documentation for instructions on how to reset your specific bulb model.
Verify account credentials: Double-check that you are using the correct LIFX account credentials when connecting the bulbs to the Google Home app. Incorrect or mistyped credentials can prevent a successful connection.
Ensure LIFX services are active: Confirm that the LIFX cloud services are active and running. Temporary service interruptions on the LIFX side can affect the connection to Google Home.
Contact customer support: If you have followed all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing connectivity issues, it may be helpful to reach out to LIFX customer support or consult their online forums for further assistance.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can overcome common connectivity issues when connecting LIFX bulbs to Google Home. Remember that patience and persistence are key, and with a little troubleshooting, you’ll soon be enjoying seamless control of your LIFX bulbs with Google Home.