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Can't change my device name

JohnF
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Disclaimer: This thread was migrated from our previous version of the Google Nest Community. You can continue to receive updates on your thread issue here or simply ask, browse or more in the new Google Nest Community.

 

Original poster: Ian Leworthy-Coleman 

 

Hi, 

 
I can't change my device name. It won't let me click the device name or edit it in anyway, I can move rooms and cast to it as normal, just desperate to change the name. I'm connected to the same WiFi and am the only account connected to Google home. Tried reinstalling the app, removing the device, and remaking the household. No luck. Help!
160 REPLIES 160

Omar80
Community Member

I later found out that the device name could be changed in the Google Home app, but I found it counted intuitively under the wifi symbol there. Well, somebody thought that is intuitive but I thought that would bring up my device wifi settings and had no clue it has all of the stuff that used to be in the Google WiFi app (or most of the stuff AFAIK).

So, if you haven't tried yet, go to your Google Home app and press what looks like a wifi toggle button.  Well, that is what crossed my mind.  What is this, am I going to now toggle off my Wi-Fi?  Surprise!  That was the one place I didnt look after looking everywhere else!  Agh...

Jake
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey all,

 

I wanted to check in with you as it seems most of you have resolved the issue. With that being the case, I will be locking the thread soon. For those of you who are still having trouble, please let me know as I would be happy to take a closer look, and ensure you are good to go. 

 

Best regards,

Jake

Hey Jake,

The issue is only being resolved by falling back to a build several years old. How do we hopefully get a fix to the next app build? Any suggestions? 

Madsens
Community Member

The only "solutions" is to use an iOS device, which i don't have or want, or to use an older version of the app of which i do not want.

When the bug is fixed in the app, the thread should be closed.

Well I guess the only solution is use the older version Google home app and change the name you want to and just reinstall the latest version.  I understand that it is risky when you install an older version from an unknown website.

Using an Android emulator on my PC worked for me where my android phone did not. I have BlueStacks emulator but I assume any will work.

I tried to change the speaker or room name with the latest version of Google home app but it does not reflect for some existing speakers. This issue is not resolved yet.

This is *not* a solution, particularly if you're in Google's Advanced Protection Program.

carlk
Community Member

That works but a dumb way to do it.

zulu722
Community Member

I have a Google Home and a Mini. They both work fine, one in the kitchen and the mini in the main bedroom.

Just purchased an extra mini which is installed in the main bedroom. The other mini has been moved to the lounge. Do you think I can change the name from "Bedroom" to "Lounge". No chance. When I open device settings I get Reboot, Help, Feedback.

Worse, the new one in the bedroom, when asked about weather, gives me a weather report for a place which is 57 km from where we are. The other two are accurate. Give us a break Google.

 

jking47
Community Member

You don't need to hit the three dots to change the name.  First you need to click on the device in your Home app.  Then go to Settings, Device Information, then click on Name.  Hopefully yours doesn't bug out.

 

Stuart24
Community Member

This doesn't work. It doesn't matter what approach you take to change the name, the current version of google home does not work

Yonibrpw
Community Member

I too am having issues change the names of google home speakers. 

I go to the device settings and chnage the name, and it is reflected temporarily. But in the MAIN google home app screen, it is still not updating. When i go back to try to change the name again, it will show the original name in the name change screen. Name changes dont work. Long time issue now. Please fix this already. Its been like years now. 

jmanooch
Community Member

I couldn't make it work in Android, but you can change the device name in Google Home on iOS. Hope that helps. 

I think you are on to something. I was able to change the name of 1 of 2 problem devices by using my daughter's old table with a much older version of the Google Home app. It definitely seems like an issue with the app more than the devices themselves.

Yes. No problem changing the name using the name using the IOS app. Current Android app doesn't change the name for me on a Pixel 6 Pro.

Too bad all the devices in the home are Android


@Skyguy169 wrote:

Too bad all the devices in the home are Android


It pays to diversify.  I have both Google Nest Minis & Amazon Echo Shows in my house.  They each have their strengths & weaknesses.

I used to have both Google Nest Hubs & Amazon Echo Shows, but for my purposes, the Hubs were better, & since the Shows I bought were still covered under Amazon's very generous Christmas return policy, I returned them.

Amazon has their bugs as well, but I think they are a marginally better product in terms of capabilities (eg, they have an easy-to-find, functional web browser). 

you can use android you just need an older version to change the name Version 2.32.1.5. from dec 10, 2020 is confirmed as working so give that a go

Yonibrpw
Community Member

Yess!!!!! 

You are correct. I managed to find an apk of a VERY old version. Version 2.32.1.5. from dec 10, 2020. Im not sure if you need to go back THAT far, but this version allows me to change the names. Will update to new version now. Google, please fix this bug. 

How do we surface this issue to people who can do something?

Gj
Community Member

I'm fairly sure Google community exists in hopes that Google staff don't have to trouble shoot for customers, rather get the public users to keep trying something until someone stumbles across a way around the issue.

Skyguy169
Community Member

This is exactly what happens. And no one from the help desk can do anything, nor do they understand what they are doing (let alone know English) enough to be able to understand the issues we are having, and that rebooting the device doesn't help.

Yup. Had the same issue. This was a work around that worked for me.

cybersa
Community Member

Good find.Thanks.

This worked for me 😅

This worked for me. Seems to be the solution and Google should fix this Stat. 

MrMitch
Community Member

Just confirming this solution worked for me.  Thanks for including the specific version info.

it can be an older version, but not sure how far back one has to go. But any older version seems to work. Terrible dev. Enjoy.

Yonibrpw
Community Member

Throw a tantrum?

NightAoX
Community Member

1) Reset Google Nest Hub to factory.

2) Open Google Home app and delete the "Home" the device is assigned to.

3) Clear Google Home cache and data (I'm on Android, not sure of the steps for other platform, but it should be a simple process...) to get all of the remaining data removed as a variable.

4) Sign back into Google Home app and you you should either see the device listed under "Other Home Devices" or some similar such terminology. If you don't see it, there should be a "+" symbol in the top  left of the app. Hit that "+" symbol and this will bring you a menu; select "Set up device" and then select "New device" and then set up the "Home" information you deleted in step 2.

5) From here, things should continue smoothly. I don't recall each screen exactly, but everything should result in you being able to set a room and a name of your choosing for each device you were having trouble renaming earlier.

NightAoX
Community Member

1) Reset Google Nest Hub to factory.

2) Open Google Home app and delete the "Home" the device is assigned to.

3) Clear Google Home cache and data (I'm on Android, not sure of the steps for other platform, but it should be a simple process...) to get all of the remaining data removed as a variable.

4) Sign back into Google Home app and you you should either see the device listed under "Other Home Devices" or some similar such terminology. If you don't see it, there should be a "+" symbol in the top  left of the app. Hit that "+" symbol and this will bring you a menu; select "Set up device" and then select "New device" and then set up the "Home" information you deleted in step 2.

5) From here, things should continue smoothly. I don't recall each screen exactly, but everything should result in you being able to set a room and a name of your choosing for each device you were having trouble renaming earlier.

This has not worked. The only that worked was an old version

Old version of what? Also, is your mobile device updated?

As discussed up thread, a work around that several of us have used successfully is to find and use an old version of the Google Home App. The device renaming issue appears to be a problem with the app, not the devices. That's why the iOS version has also worked for some.

Alance
Community Member

Same issue. Unable to rename & to different room

NightAoX
Community Member

effenst
Community Member

Same issue and I finally I figured it out. You have to do a factory reset (hold down tiney button near power cord), remove the device from home (in home app) and add it it again like new. I suggest starting to look for the device in the home app as the lights on the mini change from orange to white during the factory reset. 

archstar1982
Community Member

I have had the same issues on changing a device name and locations on 1 device.

The problem was resolved by uninstalling Google Home App after clearing the cache and data and installing the older version from 2.32.1.5.

So I am 100% sure this is caused by the latest version of Google Home App.

One workaround I found with Google support is a factory reset, and selecting the room it belongs in during device setup will automatically rename it to "[room name] speaker". So you could make a custom room name before that factory reset to something like "Really Difficult", so that after setup it would be called "Really Difficult speaker".

The factory rests by holding the tiny button near the cable connection? I tried but that doesn't work. Actually it won't ask me the custom device name when setting up as a new device. In my case it happens after I change my home wireless router being upgraded and try to reconnect all the devices that are unrecognizable in Google Home App. Like I mentioned in the previous reply clearing the cache and data but it didn't work at all.  It's a bug on Google Home App.