Does Nest Work with Alexa? A Guide For Using Smart Home Devices

Creating a smart home is a lot of fun. It also offers you easy convenience in our modern world. Each time you invest in a new smart device, it’s exciting to add it to your smart home network. One popular brand in the smart home scene is Google Nest. This is Google’s take on smart home security and they currently offer a unique range of smart devices including cameras, video doorbells, and thermostats. Homeowners looking for voice control might wonder “does Nest work with Alexa?”

The answer is, yes. Each of these Nest devices is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, allowing you to use voice commands to control your environment and keep you and your family safe. With voice commands, you can have both your hands full and still work the smart devices.

Currently, these are the Nest devices you can integrate with Alexa:

Thermostats:

• 3rd-Generation Nest Thermostat
• 2nd-Generation Nest Thermostat
• 1st-Generation Nest Thermostat
• Nest Thermostat E

Indoor Cameras:

• Nest Cam IQ indoor
• Nest Cam Indoor
• Dropcam Pro
• Dropcam

Outdoor Cameras

• Nest Cam Outdoor
• Nest Cam IQ outdoor

Migrating Your Nest Devices to Google

So now that you don’t have to wonder “does Nest work Alexa?” you can start the integration process.

In order to control your Nest devices with Alexa, you first need to migrate your existing Nest account to Google. This step is for Next users who had their account prior to August 19, 2019. If your account was established after August 19, 2019, then your account is already integrated with Google. If you don’t have a Google account, you can find instructions for setting one up here.

Next, download the Alexa app on a smartphone or tablet and as well as on an Alexa-enabled device, such as an Amazon Echo Dot speaker. Downloading the Amazon Alexa app makes it possible to install and use voice controls.

Connecting the Alexa App to Your Nest Devices

Using Nest’s Alexa integration, you can control all of your compatible devices from any Alexa speaker. You don’t have to go to each individual device to operate or control it. Just say any supported command and tell Alexa what you want your Nest device to do. Connecting your Nest devices to the Alexa app is the next step.

Enable One or Both Alexa Skills

• Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet
• Tap the menu button in the corner
• Select “Smart Home”
• Tap “Your Smart Home Skills” at the bottom of the screen
• Tap “Enable Smart Home Skills”
• Search for” Nest Thermostat by Nest Labs” and/or “Nest Camera by Nest Labs”
• Select the skill to enable
• Tap “Enable”
• Enter your Nest account information to your account
• Ask Alexa to discover your Nest devices by saying, “Alexa, discover my devices”

This will only work on your own Nest devices that exist in an individual account. If you share the account using Nest Family Accounts, this process won’t work.

Use the Nest Device Name to Connect

To command an individual Nest device, you need to identify the device name. For instance, a command will include “camera (or thermostat) name.” The name is the location you previously assigned to your Nest device in the Nest app. Examples of names are “kitchen, bedroom, living room” or any other room you assigned the device to. You can see the name designations for your Nest devices by opening your Nest app.

Within the app, tap the selected thermostat or camera. Select “Settings, and tap “Where.” When giving Alexa a voice command, say the specific name of the Nest device you want to control. If you don’t have the word “camera” or “thermostat” as part of the device name, don’t say it when you command Alexa. Just use the exact name you’ve assigned each device. The device name is the one you gave it when you originally set the device up. You can use this Nest guide for information on device names.

Controlling Nest Devices Using Alexa

After setup is complete, you can start speaking commands to Alexa to control your Nest devices. You can even control your compatible Nest equipment from your mobile phone while you’re at home or remote.

To speak commands, just make sure your Nest products are on, have access to a power source and are connected to Alexa. You also need to be within hearing range of your Alexa-enabled device. In other words, don’t try to speak to your Echo Dot that’s downstairs while you’re in your bedroom upstairs. Also, remember these devices can be connected using LTE as well as Wi-Fi.

Commands You Can Use for a Nest Thermostat

Alexa

• “what’s the temperature in [thermostat name]?”
• “set the [thermostat name] temperature to _ degrees”
• “decrease the [thermostat name] temperature”
• “make my [thermostat name] warmer by _ degrees”
• “what’s the temperature in the house?”

Remember, if you don’t specify a temperature change, Alexa will adjust the temperature by 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius).

Commands You Can Use for a Nest Camera

Alexa

• “show feed from the [camera name]”
• “show the [camera name]”
• “hide feed from the [camera name]”
• “hide the [camera name] feed”

Keep in mind that in order to view your camera’s feed on an Amazon Alexa device, it will have to be through a product with a screen. For example, the Amazon Echo Show.

Need More Information About Alexa and Nest?

Connecting your Google Nest products with Alexa leads to simplicity and comfort. It removes the hassle of having to pause what you’re doing to adjust some of the most important items in your home. For more in-depth information regarding Amazon Alexa, Nest Security or articles answering questions similar to “does Nest work with Alexa?”, check out our blog.

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