# Virtual Devices and Google **URL:** \ **Category:** Apps\ **Created:** [May 21, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/virtual-devices-and-google/155132 "2026-05-21T02:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stephen\_Petitt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/stephen_petitt/32/121620_2.png) [@Stephen\_Petitt](https://community.homey.app/u/Stephen_Petitt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/virtual-devices-and-google/155132/1 "2026-05-21T02:50:48Z")
I’m trying to create a Virtual Device to represent a real device that is not fully exposed to Google Home. I want the device to act as a starter for a Google routine that can then process some follow-on actions. I’ve tried using the Virtual Devices App, it’s Device option does not create a device that appears in Google, even though Homey and Google are synced. If I try Mode, then the device appears in Google and can even be selected as a starter for a routine, but when the automation is saved, Google then tells me the device cannot be used as a starter. I’ve tried the Virtual Device option in experiments. This appears to create a device in Google but it does not show as one of the available starter devices. Any help appreciated Stephen ---
**Author:** ![smarthomesven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/smarthomesven/32/79712_2.png) [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/virtual-devices-and-google/155132/2 "2026-05-21T02:53:53Z")
> [@Stephen\_Petitt](#): > > t’s Device option does not create a device that appears in Google, That’s a known issue, the fix is to select “Kettle” as the device type/class when creating the virtual device in Homey, that one does work for some reason ---
**Author:** ![Stephen\_Petitt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/stephen_petitt/32/121620_2.png) [@Stephen\_Petitt](https://community.homey.app/u/Stephen_Petitt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/virtual-devices-and-google/155132/3 "2026-05-22T01:48:58Z")
Thank you very much. That worked. All I need to do now is get the Google automation working, something I tested six months ago in Google is now not working ☹ ---
**Author:** ![smarthomesven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/smarthomesven/32/79712_2.png) [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 1:52am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/virtual-devices-and-google/155132/4 "2026-05-22T01:52:25Z")
Do you want to switch the device on and off? You should create it like this: Automation 1 VD-\>Device: OFF Starter: Virtual Device turned off Action: Turn off “real” device Automation 2: Device-\>VD: OFF Starter: “real” device turned off Action: turn Virtual Device off Automation 3: VD-\>Device: ON Starter: Virtual Device turned on Action: Turn on “real” device Automation 4: Device-\>VD: ON Starter: “real” device turned on Action: Turn on Virtual Device ---
**Author:** ![Stephen\_Petitt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/stephen_petitt/32/121620_2.png) [@Stephen\_Petitt](https://community.homey.app/u/Stephen_Petitt)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/virtual-devices-and-google/155132/5 "2026-05-23T22:34:47Z")
I’ve got two scenarios. 1. I have some Tapo motion sensors that Homey can’t see 2. I have a Eufy doorbell who’s button can’t be seen by Google Home I’ve been trying to push a snapshot from the doorbell to my TV but I have just found out that wht I was trying to do isn’t going to work. Thanks