Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
This is the first setting I change on any Google smart speaker
July 23, 2025
Although many of us have embraced or are starting to embracesmart speakersin our homes, I have to admit that I find the idea of an always-listening device rather peculiar. It’s not paranoia or a general distrust of the technology; if it were, I would immediately remove the speakers from my apartment. But it is the need to be as aware as possible of when these speakers are listening and when they aren’t, and stop them if they start listening when they shouldn’t.
That’s why one of the first things I do after setting up a new speaker (or resetting an older one) is to enable an audible indicator for when it starts and stops listening. The option, which is hidden under the speaker’s accessibility menu, transforms the experience from a guessing game to a more certain one.
To enable it, open the Google Home app, look for the speaker or smart display you’d like to change this setting for, tap it and look for theSettings cog(on the top right)>Accessibilityand you should find at least two options there:Play start soundandPlay end sound. Toggle both of these on.
Now, when the speaker detects the “OK Google” or “Hey Google” wake words, it’ll play a small chirp to tell you it started listening. It’ll also play a sound when it notices that you’ve stopped talking and thus it stops listening.
It’s such a minor change, but it completely transforms my smart speaker experience:
If you have reservations about smart speakers as a whole, this simple setting won’t change your mind about them. But it’s useful for those who want to feel slightly more in control of theirNest Audio,Nest Hub, orother Google Assistant speakeror display.
Related:Cool things you’re able to do with your Google Home, Nest Audio, or Chromecast
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
