
Set up voice match so the assistant recognizes who is speaking, then restrict purchases, door unlocks, and account changes to confirmed voices. Add a PIN or spoken confirmation for actions with consequences. This protects privacy, reduces accidental triggers from TV ads, and keeps curious visitors from altering lights or thermostats while still allowing polite guest commands.

Internet hiccups happen, but your home should still respond. Favor devices that support local control or Matter bridges, keep a few physical switches accessible, and create scenes that work even when services wobble. Document a simple manual fallback, share it with family, and practice once so nobody panics if the network goes quiet.

Regularly review command history to spot mishears, remove recordings you do not want stored, and refine phrasing that confuses the assistant. Check app permissions for microphones, location, and home data, and enable two-factor authentication. Small maintenance habits keep your setup lean, respectful of privacy, and ready for stress-free everyday use.