How to Set Up Your Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

Beginner 10-15 minutes

Before You Begin

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is a smart display with a 7-inch touchscreen and built-in Google Assistant. It serves as a central control point for your smart home, plays music and videos, displays photos, and even tracks your sleep with its Siri radar-based Sleep Sensing feature. Setup is straightforward and takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

What You Will Need

  • Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
  • The included power adapter and cable
  • The Google Home app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android)
  • A Google account
  • A 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network
  • A flat surface near a power outlet — nightstand, kitchen counter, or desk

Step 1: Plug In and Power On

  1. Place the Nest Hub on a flat, stable surface where you want to use it.
  2. Connect the power cable to the back of the Nest Hub and plug the adapter into a wall outlet.
  3. The Nest Hub will automatically power on and display a welcome screen with setup instructions.
  4. Wait for the screen to prompt you to use the Google Home app to continue setup.

Step 2: Connect Using the Google Home App

  1. Open the Google Home app on your phone.
  2. Tap the + icon in the upper left corner and select Set up device, then New device.
  3. Select your home. The app will automatically search for nearby devices.
  4. When the Nest Hub appears, tap it. The app will emit a sound from the Nest Hub to confirm it is the correct device — tap Yes when you hear it.
  5. Choose the room where the Nest Hub is located (such as "Bedroom," "Kitchen," or "Living Room").

Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi

  1. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
  2. Enter your Wi-Fi password.
  3. The Nest Hub will connect to the network. This may take 30 seconds to a minute.
  4. If the connection fails, verify the password and ensure your router is within range. The Nest Hub supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Step 4: Sign In and Configure Google Assistant

  1. Sign in with your Google account when prompted. This links the Nest Hub to your Google services including Calendar, YouTube, and Google Photos.
  2. Set up Voice Match so Google Assistant recognizes your voice and provides personalized results. Follow the prompts to say a few phrases.
  3. Choose your preferences for personal results — this determines whether the Nest Hub can access your calendar, reminders, and other personal information when it recognizes your voice.
  4. Select your default music service (YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, or others).
  5. Select your default video service (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, or others).

Step 5: Set Up Photo Frame and Display

  1. Choose what the Nest Hub displays when not in active use. Options include Google Photos albums, curated art, a full-screen clock, or weather information.
  2. If using Google Photos, select the albums or people you want to appear in the photo rotation.
  3. Adjust the Ambient EQ setting, which automatically adjusts the display brightness and color temperature to match the room's lighting.

Step 6: Enable Sleep Sensing (Optional)

  1. If you plan to use the Nest Hub as a bedside device, enable Sleep Sensing during setup or later in device settings.
  2. Place the Nest Hub on your nightstand with the display facing your bed.
  3. Sleep Sensing uses the built-in Soli radar sensor to track your sleep patterns without a camera — it detects motion, breathing, and coughing.
  4. Review sleep data each morning on the Nest Hub's display or in the Google Fit app on your phone.

Step 7: Add Smart Home Devices

  1. The Nest Hub acts as a Thread border router and a smart home controller. Compatible devices can be viewed and controlled directly from the touchscreen.
  2. If you already have smart home devices in the Google Home app, they will automatically appear on the Nest Hub's home control panel.
  3. Swipe down on the Nest Hub screen to access quick controls for lights, thermostats, cameras, and other connected devices.
  4. Use voice commands like "Hey Google, turn off the living room lights" to control devices hands-free.

Tips for Best Results

  • The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) does not have a camera, making it a privacy-friendly option for bedrooms and personal spaces.
  • Enable Night Mode in settings to reduce screen brightness and limit notification sounds during sleeping hours.
  • The Nest Hub supports Chromecast built-in, so you can cast content from your phone directly to its screen.
  • Create Routines in the Google Home app to trigger multiple actions with a single command — for example, "Hey Google, good morning" can turn on lights, read the weather, and start your playlist.

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