Google Assistant "Routines" can be super handy for automating your life. Typically, Assistant performs the actions immediately on command, but what if you don't want something to happen right away? You can use a delay to do that.

The delay function is a way to trigger actions a certain length of time after the routine starts. It can be used for some actions or all of them. For example, maybe a lamp in one room turns off right away, then 30 minutes later the TV turns off.

Related: How to Set Up and Use the Google Assistant Workday Routine

Let's get started. First, open the Google Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device and tap "Routines."

Tap "Routines."

Tap the floating "+" icon in the bottom right corner.

Tap the floating plus button.

Tap "Add Starter" and select one of the methods to start the routine. "Voice Command" is a required starter.

Add a starter command.

Now it's time to choose actions for the routine. Tap the "Add Action" button and pick any action you want to happen before the delay. If you don't want any actions to go before the delay, skip this step.

Add actions to the routine.

Tap "Add Action" again and scroll down to the "Delay Start" action.

Choose the "Delay Start" action.

Enter the time to delay the action and tap "Done."

Enter the delay time.

Now you can tap "Add Action" underneath the delay you created and choose the actions to go off after.

Add an action after the delay.

You can add more than one delay per routine. Some actions could trigger after 30 mins while others go off after an hour. It's very flexible. Tap "Save" when you have it all set up.

Save the routine.

That's it! You can start the routine with the voice command or any other starter you added. The actions will go off at the times you selected. This is just one of many handy features of Assistant Routines.

Related: How to Set Up and Use Home & Away Routines with Google Assistant