The Freebox Pop operates on Google TV, which allows it to natively integrate Google Assistant for voice control. Setting up my Freebox Pop device with Ok Google seems straightforward on paper, but the reality of 2026 introduces a nuance that most guides overlook: the smartphone and the TV player no longer use the same voice assistant when you say the same phrase.
Gemini on smartphone and Google Assistant on Freebox Pop: two assistants for the same voice command
Since September 2026, Google has been gradually replacing Google Assistant with Gemini on recent Android smartphones and tablets. This switch alters the command chain when you control your Freebox Pop from your phone.
The Freebox Pop player, on the other hand, retains Google Assistant accessible via the remote control. The command “Ok Google” spoken in front of the player continues to work exactly as before. However, the same phrase launched from a recent Android smartphone now goes through Gemini, with different settings and behavior.
| Device used | Active voice assistant (Sept. 2026) | “Ok Google” command |
|---|---|---|
| Freebox Pop player (remote control) | Google Assistant | Works natively |
| Recent Android smartphone | Gemini | Redirected to Gemini |
| Google Home / Nest speaker | Google Assistant | Works natively |
This distinction explains why some voice commands launched from the phone (“Ok Google, play TF1 on the Freebox Pop”) may no longer respond in the same way. A comprehensive guide for setting up my Freebox Pop device with Ok Google details the necessary adjustments depending on the device used.
Voice setup for Freebox Pop via the remote control: prerequisites and activation
The remote control for the Freebox Pop player includes a microphone dedicated to Google Assistant. This is the most reliable channel for voice control, as it remains independent of the migration to Gemini on mobile.
Before activating voice commands, several conditions must be met:
- The Freebox Pop player must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your other devices, via the Freebox itself
- A Google account must be associated with the player during the initial setup under Google TV
- The Google Home app must be installed on the smartphone or tablet that will be used to manage the connected devices in the home
- The internet connection must be stable, as each voice command passes through Google servers
Linking the Google account to the player is the crucial step. Without it, the microphone button on the remote does not trigger any response. This linking occurs during the first startup of the player, in the Google TV setup screen.
New channel numbering for Free and voice commands
Free changed the numbering of its channels starting August 25, 2026. This change has a direct impact on voice commands like “Ok Google, play channel 6.”
If you were using voice shortcuts based on the old numbers, these commands now point to different channels. The most reliable solution is to use the channel name rather than its number: “Ok Google, play France 2” works independently of any renumbering.
For Google Home routines that included a hard-coded channel number, a manual check is necessary. Each routine must be edited in the Google Home app to reflect the new lineup.
Recommended voice commands after the update
Prefer formulations by channel name or content. “Ok Google, launch Netflix on the Freebox” or “Ok Google, play BFM TV” remain stable regardless of the current numbering.
Volume, pause, and menu navigation commands are not affected by this change. Only commands including a channel number require an update.
Link Google Home to Freebox Pop for remote control
The Google Home app allows you to control the Freebox Pop from any room, via a connected speaker or directly from the smartphone. Adding the player to Google Home is done in a few steps.
Open Google Home, tap the “+” button to add a device, then select “Set up a device.” The Freebox Pop player appears in the list of devices detected on the local network, provided it is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi.
The player must be assigned to a room in Google Home for voice commands to work properly from a Nest or Home speaker. Without this assignment, the command “Ok Google, pause the TV” does not know which device to target if multiple players or Chromecasts coexist on the network.
Case of multi-device Google households
In a household equipped with multiple Google speakers and a Freebox Pop player, the voice command defaults to the closest device or the one assigned to the same room. Explicitly naming the device in the command (“Ok Google, play TF1 on the living room player”) avoids conflicts.
Updates to the Freebox system, regularly deployed by Free on the Pop, Ultra, and Delta models, may alter the behavior of certain integrations. After each update, checking that the link between Google Home and the player remains active takes just a few seconds in the app.
The voice setup of the Freebox Pop remains functional and practical, as long as the channel used is clearly distinguished: player remote for native Google Assistant, smartphone for Gemini, connected speaker for Google Home. Adapting commands to the names of channels rather than numbers is the most sustainable reflex in response to changes in the Free lineup.