Google is shifting third-party smart home account linking to be handled entirely within the Google Home app, deprecating older dependencies on the Google Search app and Google Assistant settings, developers.home.google.com reported.
The core backend OAuth 2.0 infrastructure, user credentials, and fulfillment webhooks remain unchanged under the updated architecture. Partners must update in-app and web deep links, app flip allowlists where supported, and customer-facing setup guidance.
Integrations relying on in-app deep links or app switching must complete these updates by October 30, 2026, to prevent connection failures.
Developers providing a link to connect with Google on an app or product website must update the target URL to directly target the Google Home app. Universal links for web, iOS, and Android change from https://madeby.google.com/home-app/?deeplink=setup%2Fha_linking%3Fagent_id%3Dagent-id to https://home.google.com/home-app/?deeplink=setup%2Fha_linking%3Fagent_id%3Dagent-id.
Custom schemes for Android and iOS shift from assistant-settings://?feature=home_automation&agent_id=agent-id to googlehome://setup/ha_linking?agent_id=agent-id.
Integrations supporting App Flip that enforce allowlist security checks in apps or servers must update their allowlists to include the Google Home app package.
Android applications verifying package names or signing certificates must add the Google Home package name and SHA-256 release signature. The required SHA-256 fingerprint is 3D:7A:12:23:01:9A:A3:9D:9E:A0:E3:43:6A:B7:C0:89:6B:FB:4F:B6:79:F4:DE:5F:E7:C2:3F:32:6C:8F:99:4A.
App Flip requests are initiated directly from com.google.android.apps.chromecast.app instead of com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox. OAuth authorization servers on iOS must verify that the Google Home redirect URI pointing to https://oauth-redirect.googleusercontent.com/a/com.google.Chromecast is allowed.
User manuals, packaging inserts, support FAQs, and online technical documentation must be reviewed and updated to remove instructions directing users to open the Google Search app or Google Assistant settings.
Documentation must adopt standardized Google Home phrasing instructing users to ensure the Google Home app is installed and follow the account linking process described in connect third-party apps in the Google Home app.
