How to Connect Your Nest Products to Google Home

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Your Google Home can do a lot of impressive stuff. From helping you cook to telling you who won the 1945 World Series (it was the Detroit Tigers), the virtual assistant in your home makes life a little easier.

Google Home can also connect with your Nest devices, making tasks easier with automation and scheduling. You can tell your Nest thermostat to turn off the heat when you leave for work or put your cameras on a schedule to watch your kids get off the bus.

Partnering up your Nest and Google devices can turn your home into a smart ecosystem customized to your needs. It takes only a few steps - we’ll show you how.

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1. Set up and install your Nest products

Nest products like the Nest Thermostat and the Nest Doorbell are surprisingly easy to pair with your Google Home smart home devices.

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All of Nest’s products connect to your Google Home the same way, but you have to install the hardware first.

Here’s what you need to get started:

  • Google Home Assistant smart speaker
  • Google Home app installed on a smart device
  • Nest product (Nest Doorbell, Nest Thermostat, Nest Secure, Nest Protect, etc.)
  • Nest app installed on a smart device

Nest products like the Nest Video Doorbell, Nest Thermostat, or Nest Protect smoke detector may take more time to install than others. Follow the instructions that came with your Nest products to get them up and running. The Nest app makes physical installation easy with step-by-step instructions and plenty of resources if you have questions.

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Pro tip

Test your Nest product with the Nest app to make sure it’s working before connecting it to your Google Home.

2. Open the Google Home app

Once your Nest device is installed and active, you can connect it to Google Home through the Google Home app. Keep your Nest device powered on while connecting it to the Google Home app.

Start by opening your Google Home app. You’ll see all the existing devices connected to your Google Assistant (like our Chromecast screenshot shown below).

Your Nest device will be visible once it’s connected.

From here, select the plus sign at the top left corner of the screen. This icon will allow you to add a device to your Google Home ecosystem.

From here, select “Set up device” at the top of the menu.

The setup screen will give you two options: “Set up new devices in your home” or “Works with Google.” Select the second option because you already have something set up—your Nest device!

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Pro tip

If you sign into Nest using your Google account, your device should sync to your Google Home automatically.

Google Home App home screen

From here, select “Set up device” at the top of the menu.

Google Home App add and manage

The setup screen will give you two options: “Set up new devices in your home” or “Works with Google.” Select the second option because you already have something set up—your Nest device!

3. Add a Nest device in the app

The “Works with Google” option sends you to a screen where you can search for your Nest device. Use the search bar at the top of the screen to find the Nest icon. Or, you can scroll through the list of available apps until you find Nest (but this could take a while).

You’ll want to have your Nest account information handy to log into your account.

Google Home App add devices
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What if I don’t see my Nest in the Google App?

Visit the main menu in the Google Home App and select Home Controls. This will take you to a menu showing all the devices connected to your Google Home, organized by room.

Look for the Nest icon on this menu and select it. This menu will take you to a permissions page that will allow your Google Home to find your Nest product.

Accept the terms and assign the device to a room.

Adding this detail makes it easier for Google Home to control your Nest devices.

Once you find the Nest icon in the Google Home app menu, you’ll be taken to the Nest login page. Enter your Nest username and password (not your Google Home information) to find the device in your home.

When you log in, Nest will send you a verification code to confirm set up.

After you enter the verification code, you’ll see a list of features you can control from the Google Home speaker.

Select “Allow,” and the Nest device will connect with your Google Home. After, check to make sure your newly-connected device appears on the main screen of your Google Home app.

Nest App login screen

Select “Allow,” and the Nest device will connect with your Google Home. After, check to make sure your newly-connected device appears on the main screen of your Google Home app.

4. Test the connection

We recommend testing your connection immediately after you sync the devices. Try changing the temperature, arming your security system, activating your camera, or verifying whichever Nest product you’ve added.

Try a few of these voice commands or a voice command related to your Nest product:

“OK, Google, set the thermostat to 73.”
“OK, Google, show me the front door.”
“OK, Google, arm my system.”

Once you’ve tested your new Nest product, you can control it through your voice and check in on it through the Google Home app. When your Nest is connected, play around with your system to tailor it to your needs.

5. Watch the video

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FAQ

Yes. Nest is a Google product and pairs easily with the Google Home app on Android or iOS devices like phones and tablets. 

Each of the Nest products come with helpful installation steps. The actual installation will vary based on which Nest product you’re connecting, but everything you need is in the Nest app or comes in the box. 

Yes. Whether you’re connecting a Nest Hello doorbell, Nest Protect smoke alarm, Nest Thermostat, or a Nest Secure system, you can use these same steps to add devices to your Google Home system.

Yes. You’ll need a Google Home Hub (the one with a screen), your Nest Hello doorbell, and the Nest account app. Confirm that your Nest Hello is connected by saying, “OK Google, show me the front door.” This should show the feed from your doorbell camera on your Hub screen. 

  • Confirm that your devices have synched.
  • Go into your Nest app and select the doorbell camera feed.
  • Select the gear in the top right corner and select “Visitor Announcements” on the menu. 
  • Choose that option and toggle the option on (the bar should slide to blue). 
  • Test your doorbell and hub by ringing the doorbell and see if the doorbell footage appears.

Compare top smart home products

Product
Best for
Price
Works with
Standout feature
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Best smart home security systemAmazon, Google, Z-WaveEasy to customize
Best smart thermostatAmazon, Google, IFTTTKnows when house is vacant
Best virtual assistantGoogle, IFTTTVoice control with great sound
Best smart lockAmazon, Google, AppleOpen-door detection
Best smart outletAmazon, Google, IFTTT, SmartThingsBuilt-in Wi-Fi
Best smart lightsAmazon, Google, Apple, IFTTT, SmartThings16 million colors

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. SafeWise uses paid Amazon links.

†Google, Google Nest Secure, Google Home, Google Nest Protect, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Katie McEntire
Written by
Katie McEntire
As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She’s tested devices like pet cameras, home security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she also makes videos for the site’s YouTube channel. She’s been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews.

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