The Google Home is a safe and helpful device that can help you with activities like playing music, checking weather forecasts, and controlling smart devices amongst others. So, it makes a lot of sense that you want to use this voice-activated device in the bathroom. However, is that safe?
In this article, therefore, we will be considering whether it is safe to use Google Home Mini in the bathroom or not.
Let’s get right into it.
Is It Safe to Use Google Home Mini in The Bathroom?
A Google home mini is not safe to use in the bathroom and this is because it is not waterproof. Even if you try to keep it off the water sources in your bathroom, shower steam or splashes from the sink or bathtub can easily damage this device.
As someone who spends a lot of time in the bathroom, you might fancy putting your Google Home Mini device there and this makes a lot of sense. As you are freshening up in the bathroom, the device can come in handy as your buddy to help elate your mood.
This device can help you stay updated with the latest news and trends, know what the weather for the day would be like, create to-do lists, and help organize your day. You can even set the device to help you read strong words of motivation that will help you get your day started on a strong note. What better place to release such words than in your bathroom?
You can even listen to your favorite podcasts, music, and audio notes with this device. It can help play music to help relax a tense atmosphere. So, it all adds up that you want to have this device in your bathroom. However, as this device is not waterproof, this is not the safest thing to do.
Different Ways to Use Google Home Mini in The Bathroom
If you have been considering how to use your Google Home Mini device in the bathroom against all odds without exposing it to water, there are a few hacks to work around it. You can try some alternatives that will minimize its exposure to water even in your bathroom.
Let’s run you through these alternatives.
- Place Your Google Home Mini Device Outside the Door of Your Bathroom.
Mounting your device outside the bathroom door is a very good way to protect it. this device has a voice recognition range that can work beyond a couple of meters. This means that if you place it rightly, it will still do what you need of it.
If there is an outlet outside the bathroom door, it will be a great location to place the device. The device also features sophisticated speakers. This means that you should be less worried about whether you will be able to hear it from outside the door. The speakers will produce good and clear sound even while being outside.
- Make Use of A Remote Waterproof Speaker.
Supplementing your device with a remote waterproof speaker is another good alternative that you can work around. There are different kinds of speakers available that will work with your google home mini device efficiently and are still waterproof.
Some waterproof speakers can be used directly in your shower. These waterproof speakers are multifunctional as they can’t be affected in any water-prone area. The speakers are small and easily mountable so it is something that anyone can readily install.
- Use Mounting Devices for Your Google Home Mini Cord.
Mounting this device in the bathroom can also be a very good option to avoid exposure to water. The best practice will be to find an outlet from your sink, shower, and toilet. Most of the mounting devices out there will help hide the cord of this device so it is not exposed to water.
Mounting your device should not take more than a couple of minutes. It is a very effective way to protect your device from being destroyed by water.
- Make Use of Bathrooms without Showers.
Mounting your device might help with exposure to water from the sink and other water sources, however, it might be difficult to contain the water from the shower. So, if your bathroom has a shower, your device is at a high risk of getting damaged.
As little as one shower is or harmless as showering with the door opened is, it can damage your google home mini device. Using a bathroom with no shower will be your best bet in this case. So, you will still be able to use your device well and reduce the chances of it getting damaged.
Is the Google Home Mini Device Waterproof?
As most Google Home Mini devices are made of plastic and metals and contain microphones, they are not waterproof or water-resistant. These components are not materials that can hold their own against water. This means that the minutest drop of water can affect the functionality of the device.
Using electronic devices in a water-prone environment is not the safest thing to do. This can lead to short-circuit and cause a fire outbreak or electrocution. The regulatory guide of this device states that it should not be used in a water-prone environment.
Continual exposure of this device to water can cause corrosion of some components. This may happen over time and you may not even realize it until severe damage has been done. The Google Home Mini device has been designed to excel well in dry and temperate environments. You must therefore bear this in mind.
Can You Use Google Mini Outside?
Your Google Mini Home device should be able to work outside so long as it has an internet connection. Connecting to a public Wi-Fi is not something exactly complicated. The connections on the device will sync to the available networks once you can activate them.
Let’s give you a quick rundown of how to connect your device to a public internet connection.
- The first thing to do will be to turn on your phone’s Wi-Fi feature. If you have a password for a wireless connection, ensure that you have it as a reference. Find out if the selected network is visible.
- Go ahead and activate your Google Home device. Plug your device in and turn it on. Then, wait for some minutes for your device to power up.
- Set up your Google Home application. You can easily download it from your phone’s app store if you use an iOS device or an Android device. Ensure that you downloaded the latest version of the app to avoid connectivity issues.
- Then, the next thing to do will be to access your Google account. Ensure that you pair your device with your main Google account. This will grant you access to other Google synced devices like the Google calendar.
- Finally, set up your Google Home as a new device. You can readily do this on the app you have downloaded.
In these few easy steps, you can have your Google Home device with you on the go. So, your device can work outside your home, you just have to ensure that you have a good internet connection.
Will My Google Home Work on A Hotel Wi-Fi?
Theoretically, your Google Home can work with a hotel’s Wi-Fi. Your device can work anywhere as long as there is a functional wireless internet connection. The constraint with hotels is that, unlike other public places, they could restrict unauthorized access to protect their connections.
The wireless networks in hotels usually come with a security protocol that is called client isolation. This has to do with wireless networks within a region not being able to see each other. This is due to security reasons. Although some hotels could do this because they want to charge on their connections.
If you can take away the issues with this security protocol, then your Google Home should be able to work on a hotel Wi-Fi without issues.
How Do I Make My Google Home Wi-Fi Private?
You can readily do this with the Google Home application. So, to change the privacy settings of your Google Home Wi-Fi, the first thing to do will be to ensure that you have this application on your phone. Once that is sorted, follow the simple steps below:
- Launch the Google Home application.
- Select the Wi-Fi tab.
- Once you are in, click on the Settings section.
- Then, access the Privacy Settings.
- Then, you can decide to turn it on.
With these simple few steps, you have restricted the access of your Google Home Wi-Fi to private.
Is It Possible to Use Google Home Mini as A Speaker for My Tv?
You can use your Google Home Mini as a TV speaker but you have to ensure that the device is connected to your Tv. One of the easiest ways of doing this is by using Google Chromecast. The Google Chromecast is a media player that helps you play content from the web on your TV.
With this Chromecast being paired to your Google Home Mini, you can easily use the Google Assistant voice command on your Google Home Mini device.
Let’s run you through how you can connect the Chromecast to your TV.
- You have to make sure your Chromecast is connected to your TV and that it is connected to the same router as your Google Home Mini device.
- Put your TV on and ensure that your TV has the Chromecast screen visibility enabled.
- Open the Google Home app on your phone.
- You should notice an icon that looks like a speaker on the app’s interface. Click on this icon and add a new device.
- You should see a cipher on your TV and smartphone. Once they match, then, you are good to go.
You must also make sure that your Chromecast is linked to your Google Home Mini device. This will help you use your Google Home Mini device as an audio output or for playing live-streaming content. So, let’s quickly run you through this connection.
- Open the Google Home Mini app on your phone.
- Go to the More Settings section.
- Click on the TVs and speakers and click on the Plus icon.
- Select the device that you want to link.
- Follow all other instructions given and you are good to go.
The steps we have highlighted above can readily work for TVs that are not smart or smart TVs do not have the Chromecast feature in-built.
If your smart TV comes with Chromecast as a standard, then, it is less complicated to set up. You will just have to use your smartphone to do the initial setup using the Google Home app and then, you can follow the remaining instructions we have highlighted for a TV without Chromecast.
Can You Use Google Home Mini without Being Plugged In?
For your Google Home Mini device to function effectively, it has to remain plugged in at all times. However, this does not necessarily mean that it has to be connected to a wall socket. If you need to unplug it from the wall outlet, then a power bank or a custom battery base will help out.
You can work with a rechargeable battery base that is a small stand that you can place your device on to give it the required power. This battery base comes with a magnetic base to attach well to the device and keep it stable.
Since the Google Home Mini device has a detachable cable, you can also work with a power bank too. As long as you can use a separate cable for your device, a power bank can come in as an alternative source of power.
So, even though your device has to remain plugged in at all times, you don’t always need a wall outlet.
Video Guide
Conclusion
A Google Home Mini device comes with a lot of conveniences that can add simplicity and spice to your daily living. It is understandable if you want to use it in your bathroom as a result. We have therefore highlighted some ways you can work around this.
So, read through, stay informed and go enjoy your Google Home Mini device.