MAXIMUM POWER

Setting up the Google Home Max is quick and easy… And that includes its individual voice-recognition features

01 HOME TURF

Begin by plugging in your Home Max, but don’t get too hasty! Wait for it to boot up (this takes a couple of minutes). Once the Max has chimed to indicate its readiness, open up the Google Home app on your phone. The first screen will show devices that you’ve already installed; tap the plus at the top.

04 CONNECT IT

We’ll have been working on Bluetooth thus far, but now it’s time to tell the Home Max about your Wi-Fi connection. Select the network you’d like it to connect to and, if you’re using Android, it’ll generally pass on the credentials automatically. If you’re using iOS you may need to enter your password manually.

02 FIND THE MAX

Later you’ll be able to use the Add page to group up your speakers or add audio sources, but for now tap ‘Set up device’, then ‘set up new devices in your home’ to search for the Google Home Max. Once it’s found, tap ‘Yes’ to confirm that you want to set it up, and again to confirm you’ve heard the sound it’s made.

05 PERSONAL TOUCH

Accept (or tweak) a few data-sharing options and you can start setting up Google’s Voice Match tech. Agree to do so, then follow the instructions that pop up on screen – it’s just a case of triggering the Google Assistant four separate times, which may or may not annoy your other Google devices at this time.

03 NAME AND PLACE

It’s tempting to skip this bit in your haste to get going, but it’s important to let the Home app know exactly where this device has been placed in your home. It’ll come in handy later on when you’re trying to talk to this speaker directly. You’ll also want to give it a unique name for the same reason.

06 SET UP SERVICES

With the main setup done, it’s just a case of letting Google know your preferences for this device: which music or video services it’ll use by default, which Chromecast it’ll trigger if you ask to play content on your TV, etc. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go. Try it out by asking something tricky.