How to Set Up Your Nest Protect Smoke & CO Alarm (Wired)

What You Will Need

• Nest Protect Smoke & CO Alarm (Wired, 2nd Generation) and included backplate, wire connector, and screws
• Existing 120V AC wiring from a previous hardwired smoke alarm
• A Phillips-head screwdriver
• A step ladder for ceiling installation
• A smartphone or tablet with the Google Home app (or legacy Nest app) installed
• A Google account
• A 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network (the Nest Protect does not support 5 GHz)

Important Safety Notes

Before beginning installation, turn off the circuit breaker that supplies power to the existing smoke alarm wiring. Verify the power is off by checking that the old alarm no longer has power. Never work with live electrical wires. If you are uncomfortable working with electrical wiring, hire a licensed electrician to install the wiring connector.

Removing the Old Alarm

1. Twist the existing smoke alarm counterclockwise to remove it from its mounting bracket.
2. Disconnect the wire harness from the back of the old alarm.
3. Remove the old mounting bracket from the ceiling or wall by unscrewing it.
4. You should see two or three wires protruding from the electrical box: black (hot), white (neutral), and optionally a red (interconnect) wire.

Installing the Nest Protect Backplate

1. Thread the existing wires through the center opening of the Nest Protect backplate.
2. Align the backplate with the electrical box mounting holes and secure it with the included screws.
3. Make sure the backplate is flush against the ceiling and does not wobble.

Connecting the Wires

1. Take the included wire connector (a small adapter with colored leads).
2. Connect the black wire from the ceiling to the black lead on the connector using a wire nut (included). Twist clockwise until snug.
3. Connect the white wire from the ceiling to the white lead on the connector.
4. If present, connect the red interconnect wire to the red lead on the connector. This allows multiple Nest Protect units to communicate via the existing wiring in addition to wirelessly.
5. Plug the connector into the port on the back of the Nest Protect unit. It clicks into place.
6. Carefully tuck the wires and connectors into the electrical box.

Mounting the Nest Protect

1. Align the Nest Protect with the backplate and twist clockwise until it locks into position.
2. Turn the circuit breaker back on.
3. The Nest Protect will power up automatically and the ring around the button will glow briefly. You will hear a welcome message.

Setting Up in the App

1. Open the Google Home app on your phone.
2. Tap the + icon and select Set up device, then New device.
3. Select your home and follow the on-screen prompts to add the Nest Protect.
4. Press the button on the front of the Nest Protect when prompted to confirm pairing.
5. Connect the Nest Protect to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Enter the password when prompted.
6. Assign the alarm to a room, such as "Kitchen," "Hallway," or "Bedroom." This name is used in voice alerts and app notifications.
7. Run the initial safety checkup when prompted. The Nest Protect will test its sensors and confirm everything is working.

Tips for Getting Started

• Test the alarm monthly by pressing the center button. The Nest Protect will announce the test over its speaker and send a notification to your phone.
• The wired version has a backup battery that keeps the alarm functional during power outages. Check the battery status in the app periodically.
• If you have multiple Nest Protect units, they will interconnect wirelessly and sound all alarms simultaneously when one detects smoke or CO, even if the hardwired interconnect cable is not present.
• Enable Nightly Promise in the app settings. When you turn off the lights at night, the Nest Protect will briefly glow green if all sensors are working correctly.