Google Home tests access tiers for everyone in your smart home

Google Home is testing a new feature that will allow friends and family members to help manage smart devices around your home. Two access levels are available: “Admin” which provides full control over account and device permissions, and “Member” for people who require more limited access.

Google says that Admin access is for “trusted partners or people who co-manage the home with you.” Admins can add, remove, and manage users, add and remove devices, and link subscriptions to the home account. Members can manage basic device controls like viewing live security camera feeds, and adjusting personal settings like voice and face match assistant features.

Two further permission tiers are available for Members: “Settings” to fully control devices and home-wide settings like automation and Nest Wifi device network features; and “Activity” to authorize access to device and home-wide history for things like cameras, locks, and sensors.

The customizable Member access was first announced in November alongside the Google Home extension for Gemini. Only users who are enrolled in the Google Home public preview can send invitations to the new access levels.

Participants can add someone as an Admin or a Member by opening the Google Home app settings, tapping “Household and access,” and selecting the plus icon to invite a new home member. Those you invite don’t need to be enrolled in public preview themselves, but will need to be running the latest version of the Google Home app.