Connect Nest to Google Assistant in three steps

To add a Nest device to Google Assistant, open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the plus icon to add a device, select your Nest product from the list, and sign in with the Google account that owns your Nest device. Google Assistant will then detect and control your Nest thermostat, camera, doorbell, or speaker through the same app and voice commands you already use.

The process takes about five minutes and requires that your Nest device is already set up and connected to your home Wi-Fi network. Once linked, you can control temperature, view camera feeds, unlock smart locks, and manage other Nest features by speaking to any Google Assistant device in your home or through the Google Home app itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Nest device must be set up in the Nest app or Google Home app before you can add it to Google Assistant.
  • Both your Nest device and your Google Assistant speaker or phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • You control Nest devices through the Google Home app after linking, not through the separate Nest app.
  • Voice commands work with any Google Assistant device in your home once Nest is linked to your Google account.

What you need before you start

Your Nest device — whether it is a thermostat, camera, doorbell, or speaker — must already be powered on and connected to your home Wi-Fi. If you have not set it up yet, do that first using the Nest app or the Google Home app, depending on which Nest product you own. Older Nest devices may require setup through the standalone Nest app before they can be added to Google Assistant.

You also need a Google account. If you have a Gmail address or use Google services, you already have one. The Google account you use to sign into the Google Home app should be the same one that owns or has access to your Nest device, otherwise the app will not find it during setup.

Make sure your phone or tablet has the Google Home app installed. It is free and available on both Android and iOS. If you already use Google Home or Google Assistant, you likely have it already.

Step-by-step: adding Nest through Google Home

Open the Google Home app and tap the plus icon in the top left corner. Select "Set up device" and then choose "Set up a new device in your home." The app will ask which home you want to add the device to — select the correct one if you have multiple homes set up.

Next, the app will search for nearby devices. When it finds your Nest device, tap on it to select it. If the app does not find it automatically, make sure the device is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. You can also manually add it by selecting "Can't find your device?" and entering the device code, which is usually printed on the device itself or found in the Nest app under device settings.

Once selected, sign in with the Google account that owns the Nest device. The app will then link the device to Google Assistant. You may be asked to confirm permissions — allow the app to control the device so that voice commands and app controls work properly. After confirmation, your Nest device appears in the Google Home app and responds to Google Assistant commands.

Controlling Nest through Google Assistant voice commands

Once linked, you can speak to any Google Assistant device in your home to control your Nest products. For a Nest thermostat, you can say "Hey Google, set the temperature to 72 degrees" or "Hey Google, turn on the heat." For Nest cameras and doorbells, try "Hey Google, show me the front door" or "Hey Google, show the living room camera."

The specific commands depend on what Nest device you own. Nest speakers respond to music and smart home commands like any other Google Home speaker. Nest locks respond to "Hey Google, lock the front door" or "unlock the front door," though some locks require additional setup for voice unlock.

If a voice command does not work, check that the device is still connected to Wi-Fi and that permissions are still enabled in the Google Home app. You can also control devices manually through the Google Home app without speaking — just tap the device tile and adjust settings directly.

Troubleshooting when Nest does not appear

If your Nest device does not show up in the Google Home app during setup, first check that it is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Look at the device itself or open the Nest app to confirm the connection status. If the device is offline, reconnect it to your network and wait a few minutes before trying again.

If the device is online but still not found, sign out of the Google Home app completely and sign back in with the correct Google account. The account you use must be the owner or have access to the Nest device. If you have multiple Google accounts, make sure you are using the right one.

Older Nest devices may require you to link them through the standalone Nest app first before they appear in Google Home. Check whether your device needs this step by opening the Nest app and looking for a "Link to Google Home" or "Link to Google Account" option in settings. Once linked there, it should appear in Google Home within a few minutes.

Managing multiple Nest devices

If you have more than one Nest device, repeat the setup process for each one. The Google Home app will list all of them together, and you can control each one individually through voice commands or the app. Give each device a clear name — like "living room camera" or "upstairs thermostat" — so Google Assistant knows which one you are talking to.

You can organize devices into rooms in the Google Home app. Tap the device, select the settings icon, and choose which room it belongs to. This makes voice commands more natural: "Hey Google, set the bedroom temperature to 68 degrees" works if your thermostat is assigned to the bedroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Google Home speaker to use Nest with Google Assistant?

No. You can control Nest devices through the Google Home app on your phone or tablet without owning a Google Home speaker. Voice commands work on any device with Google Assistant, including phones and tablets, but a speaker lets you control devices hands-free from anywhere in your home.

Can I still use the Nest app after linking to Google Assistant?

Yes, but Google Home becomes the primary control method. The Nest app still works for older devices or for accessing Nest-specific features not available in Google Home. Most people use Google Home for day-to-day control and the Nest app only when they need advanced settings.

What happens if I unlink Nest from Google Assistant?

Your Nest device continues to work normally in the Nest app, but you lose voice control and Google Home app control. You can relink it anytime by repeating the setup process. Unlinking does not affect the device itself or any recordings or data it stores.

Can I control Nest devices when I am away from home?

Yes. Once linked to Google Assistant, you can control Nest devices remotely through the Google Home app from anywhere with an internet connection. Voice commands through Google Assistant also work remotely if you have a Google Home speaker or other Assistant device with you.