Before you connect Google Nest to new wifi
When you need to connect Google Nest to new wifi, pause before swapping hardware to decide whether you want to reuse your existing network name and password. If you choose to keep my old Wi-Fi name and password on a new Nest Wifi, every phone, laptop, and smart plug that already knows those credentials should reconnect automatically. No re-pairing is needed. That single choice saves hours of tapping through setup screens for each device. However, that convenience hits a wall when you ask yourself won't my 2.4 GHz smart device connect to mesh Wi-Fi even though the network name is identical. The answer is often no. Many older bulbs, switches, and sensors only speak 2.4 GHz and get confused when a mesh router broadcasts both bands under one name. They expect to see a single 2.4 GHz signal, not a combined network that hands them off between bands. To work around this, you may need to temporarily turn off the 5 GHz radio inside the Google Home app during setup. You can also use a dedicated guest network locked to 2.4 GHz. Nest Wifi lets you pause the 5 GHz band directly from the app without diving into hidden debug menus. Planning for this now, rather than after you have unplugged your old router, keeps your lights on and your thermostat connected.
If you’re updating your network but want to avoid reconnecting every device, see if you keep my old Wi-Fi name and password on a new nest wifi. When a light bulb, plug, or similar gadget struggles during setup, check why it won't my 2.4 GHz smart device connect to mesh Wi-Fi.
Set up your new Nest Wifi network
Start by plugging in your Nest Wifi router and connecting it to your modem with the included Ethernet cable. The router’s light will pulse white while it boots up. It will then pulse blue when it is ready to be configured. Open the Google Home app on your phone, tap the plus icon, tap "Set up device," and then choose "New device." The app will guide you through scanning a QR code on the bottom of the router. If you want to keep your old network name and password to avoid reconnecting every gadget, enter those credentials when prompted. Be aware that many older smart bulbs and plugs only work on 2.4 GHz, but Nest Wifi uses a single network name for both bands and will automatically connect these devices to 2.4 GHz. Once the router is online, the app will ask if you want to add any Nest Wifi points. Place each point in a central, elevated spot away from thick walls and metal objects. Then follow the same scanning and pairing steps. After all points are connected, test coverage by walking around your home with a phone. If a room shows weak signal, move a point closer. Take a moment to name each point by its room in the app for seamless voice control with Assistant and easier troubleshooting. This makes future troubleshooting much easier.
- building your own helpful smart home — Google Nest: A Guide to Building Your Own Helpful Smart Home
- setup nest wifi — How To Setup Nest Wifi
Reconnect all your smart devices
Once your Nest speaker or display is on the new network, you can move on to the other devices that were previously connected to the old Wi-Fi. For a first-generation Google Home Mini, you can try opening the Google Home app, going to Device information > Wi-Fi, and tapping 'Forget this network'. If that doesn't work, you may need to factory reset Google Home device without app by holding the mute button for about 15 seconds until you hear a chime. Then set it up fresh in the app. For a Nest Audio or Nest Hub, open the Google Home app, tap the device, and follow the prompts to connect Google smart speaker to Wi-Fi. The app will guide you through entering the new password. If you have a Sonos speaker in the same room, you will need to change wifi on Sonos by opening the Sonos app, navigating to Settings, and selecting your new network. The system will then update all linked speakers. For smart lighting, you will need to reconnect Philips hue bridge to new Wi-Fi by pressing the button on the bridge and tapping the search button in the Hue app. If any device still fails to connect, temporarily disable the 5 GHz band on your router for a few minutes. Many 2.4 GHz-only devices require this step before they will appear in the app. Unlike other guides, we show you how to factory reset a first-generation Google Home Mini without using the app at all.
