Google Home Update Fixes Battery Drain, Gemini Issues
Google has released an important update for its Google Home smart home ecosystem on September 16, 2026. The update includes bug fixes and improvements for four key issues that have been affecting users.
The most significant fix addresses the battery drain issue in the Google Home app. Now, widgets in the app will pause background updates and polling when your phone screen is dark, locked, or displaying a screensaver. This should help conserve battery life and refresh widgets once you open your phone.
In addition to this major fix, the update also includes smaller changes such as easier switching between multiple accounts used with Home, fixing start-up crashes, making UI improvements, eliminating stalls when pairing new devices, and improving smoke and carbon monoxide alarm notifications.
The update also addresses issues with Google Gemini, including smoothing out unnecessary follow-ups, awkwardness, and self-disruption. Additionally, it fixes streaming and broadcasting problems, such as launching TV streaming apps, finding personal playlists, and broadcasting throughout your home.