Virtual devices can be great for various reasons. Unfortunately, they are not recognized as devices by Google Home. Don't close the tab just yet! Since there is a way.
How?
Add a "virtual 433MHz device" instead.
- Go to the Devices page and click on the Add new icon ( + ).
- Instead of choosing the Virtual Devices installation guide, choose the 433MHz device group.
- Pick any of the installation guides for switches, e.g. Nexa → On/Off Switch → press Learn → Next → Finish.
- Now you have a device in Animus Heart that is added as a real device, but there is no real device connected to it. (Mind=Blown)
- Google Home will then snap this device once you integrate Google Assistant with Animus Heart.
NOTE: This is only possible with 433MHz devices since they don't support two-way communication.
The Virtual Device icon will not be shown as default, but you can change the icon in the device settings.