Google Nest is Google’s family of smart home automation products. Google Nest devices range from smart smoke detectors and thermostats to speakers, displays, routers, and home security devices.
Like Amazon’s range of Alexa products, Google Nest devices are voice-activated and feature the Google Assistant voice assistant. If you own an Amazon Alexa, you may want to know if Google Nest works with Amazon Alexa. Find out what you can do with Google Nest devices and Amazon Alexa if you have both in your home.
Google Nest vs. Amazon Alexa
Before exploring compatibility, it’s helpful to look at the differences between Google Nest (also known as Google Home) and Amazon Alexa. Both are voice-activated assistants powering families of smart home devices. These tools offer a wide selection of third-party applications, called Skills on Alexa devices and Actions on Google products.
In other words, if you’re wondering, “what can Google Home do,” it essentially offers the same features and overall functionality as Alexa devices.
Most of the differences between the two services are minor. For example, Google Assistant can interpret user commands a little more fluidly, but Amazon offers its Alexa Guard home security as a free feature. You can even play most of the same games on Google Home as on Alexa.
Does Google Nest Work With Alexa?
The short answer is: Yes, Google Nest and Alexa can work together, letting you control some of your Google Nest devices with Amazon Alexa. However, there are some limitations. For instance, Alexa may be unable to speak to all Google Nest devices.
You can use your Alexa to control a Nest device as long as Alexa has the proper Skill enabled. However, only a limited number of devices support this function. Additionally, if you have a previous-generation device powered by an old Google Nest account, typically those opened before August 2019, you’ll need to migrate it to a standard Google account.
How to Control Google Nest Devices With Alexa
Amazon Alexa cannot communicate with Google Nest devices out of the box. You must use the corresponding Skill for that, just as you do when using the appropriate Skill to play a game like the Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader trivia.
To start controlling your Google Nest with Alexa:
- Open the Alexa app on your Android or Apple iOS device.
- Tap the “More” button on the bottom menu, and then tap “Skills & Games.”
- Hit the “Search” magnifying glass and type “Google Nest Skill.”
- Select the Google Nest Skill, then tap “Enable to Use.”
- You’ll see a series of installation instructions on your screen; follow them to set it up.
Once set up, use the wake command, “Alexa, discover my devices,” to make Alexa scan for your nearby Google Nest devices. Your Amazon device will then search for all compatible devices in your home, synchronize with them and enable voice commands. For example, if you have a compatible Nest thermostat, you’ll be able to ask Alexa for the current temperature.
Which Google Nest Devices Can I Use With Alexa?
The Google Nest Skill for Amazon Alexa lets your Amazon Echo, Echo Show, or Echo Dot communicate with a select number of Nest appliances. These include the Nest Cameras, the Thermostat and the Video Doorbells. Alexa does not currently support the battery-powered versions of the Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell.
- How to control the thermostat with Alexa
Your Amazon Alexa device can read the current temperature, set a target temperature or increase and decrease the target temperature in your home.
Example phrases include:
- To read the current temperature, say: “Alexa, what’s the temperature in the house?”
- To set the target temperature to 68°F, say: “Alexa, set the thermostat to 68 degrees.”
- To increase the target temperature by 3 degrees, say: “Alexa, increase the thermostat by 3 degrees.” If you don’t specify a temperature (e.g., saying, “Alexa, make the thermostat warmer”), Alexa will raise it by 2°F.
- To change the thermostat to Eco mode, say: “Alexa, set the thermostat to Eco mode.”
- How to control your Nest Cams with Alexa
You can use Alexa to view the feed on one of your Google Nest Cams. Remember to replace “(camera name)” in the example phrases with the exact camera name listed in your Alexa app.
Here are a few example phrases:
- To display the feed on a specific camera, say: “Alexa, show the (camera name) feed.”
- To stop displaying the feed, say: “Alexa, hide the (camera name).” The display will also disable itself after 12 hours.
