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Can't enter serial number

rgaila
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: Tracy Foor 

CAn't enter serial number into app

104 REPLIES 104

@GC4170 

Are you by any chance trying to install a Nest Learning Thermostat?  If so, there have been several recent posts about this.  The Nest Learning Thermostat gets installed in the Google Nest app and then is supposed to automatically appear in the Google Home app.  (Just another aspect of Google's 2-app approach to Nest.). And for some reason, instead of getting an error message telling the customer to use the Google Nest app instead of the Google Home app, they get the screen where they're unable to enter the last 4 digits of the serial number.

Hello, exactly this issue. I'm hoping the new home app will fix this. Anybody subscribed to this should get pre public release soon. 

I have a Nest E Thermostat and was previously able to get the Nest app to work with my thermostat.  I was told to migrate it to the Google Home App, deleting the Nest Thermostat in my Nest App first.  

Now I am unable to get the Nest app to complete the setup to get it to work with the thermosata and trying to get it to be installed in the Google Home app leads me to the same blank screen with no way to enter the last four digits of the serial number in the home App, install devices section.

@ksbarna21 

The Nest Thermostat E gets installed in the Google Nest app and then is supposed to automatically appear in the Google Home app. It does NOT get "migrated" to the Google Home app and cannot be installed in the Google Home app.

I bought a new home 500 miles away.  It has a Nest Learning Thermo in one area and a separate Nest Thermo (for heat pumps?) in another.  This weekend I made a quick trip to the house and did factory resets on both.  Then I went through the basic setup, selecting language and manually entering the wifi info.  I saw each unit connect to the internet and check for software updates, and  both were already up to date.

Then I tried to connect them to the Nest App.  Using my phone and the therm's QR code display, I kept getting errors that there was a problem with the Nest service and to try again later.  Sometimes the app was so dumb that it snapped a picture of the QR code while I was still positioning the phone, so it only had a partial image.  Or sometimes it would go right back to the Nest app home screen as if nothing had happened.  I also uninstalled the Nest App and reinstalled the latest version on my Android phone.  Didn't help.  Also installed Nest on my tablet.  Got the same result.

 

After trying the QR codes multiple times, I finally tried the Entry code plus 4-digit serial number method.  At first the app took the 6-character Entry code and then asked me to select the 4-digit serial number that matched what was shown on the therm's display.  But the app wasn't showing my any 4-digit or 4-char codes to choose from.  And there was no way to get past that screen.

The next DAY, the Nest app's behavior changed slightly.  It still wouldn't connect using the QR codes, but the Entry codes started producing a single 4-char serial number to choose.  The Entry codes from both therms resulted in the same 4-char serial number ("7SZ2") in the app, which made me think the server is messed up.  The serial numbers from my two therms were different from each other and different from the code displayed in the app.  I went through this process multiple times and always got the same incorrect serial number to select.    I ran out of time and had to return home.

 

On a whim, I decided to choose the non-matching serial number, since nothing else was working.  But eventually that choice also failed to link the therms to my account.

I spoke to a rep on the phone.  I explained all of this, and the fact that I am now 500 miles away from the house and the thermostats.  He claims I need to be right in front of each unit in order for the the "pairing" to work.  If I am just typing the Entry code characters into the app, I don't see what difference it makes where I'm standing.  The Nest App should show the correct serial number sequence, or Google should be able to explain why it does not.

 

I love Google's other products and services, but this Nest fiasco is infuriating.

@morecoffee8 

There were a number of postings in this forum yesterday from customers who were having trouble accessing Nest services or being unable to log into the Google Nest app from some accounts or some phones.

Google Nest's install process uses bluetooth and Wi-Fi for the install, so you need to be on the same Wi-Fi and physically close to the device you're installing.

In addition, this page says: "You’ll need to be able to touch your thermostat to add it to your account in the Nest app. This means that you won’t be able to add it remotely. After you’ve added your thermostat to your account you’ll be able to use the Nest app on your phone, tablet, or computer to control your thermostat from anywhere."

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9301088?hl=en&ref_topic=9361967#zippy=%2Cget-an-entry-k...

benghee
Community Member

Like others, I ended up installing the Nest app, which really seems to go against the spirit of having a single home management app.

GC4170
Community Member

Hello, nest app is initial setup, I need integration of nest app into home app to allow other family members to control the temp and to allow all to use voice commands. I just want to be able to control it by voice when I get into bed and have forgotten to turn it off for the night. 

nict
Community Member

Just come off chat with support. here's the fix that worked:
1. REMOVE thermostat from Nest app
2. Go to Settings in the Google Home App> press on Add Device>New Device (press Next) > It will say "Looking for devices" > Select Thermostat > Select Thermostat > Other Nest Thermostats (make sure you choose other) > Go to Nest App
3. Add thermostat using QR code or Entry key
4. Go BACK to GH app, then back again
5. thermostat now appears in GH app, and also in Nest app

andreil
Community Member

Incredible! The struggle is over. Thank you very much!!!!

PC11
Community Member

Tried as above still wont let me enter the last 4 digits of the serial number

@PC11

What Google Nest device are you trying to install, and in which app?

GC4170
Community Member

Brilliant - just stepped through this and it works. I really appreciate you spending the time to post this and help other members. 

Jrees
Community Member

I finally got it to work, but only because I added the thermostat in the Nest app. It's showing up fine in the Home app now. Google, fixyer**bleep**.

juswill
Community Member

Same issue

VeronicaK
Community Member

I am having a similar problem, the home app is asking for a9 digit code but the code on my nest wifi point is 8 digits.

docpratt
Community Member

I have the exact same issue. Google is deafing with its replies... Not! 

P_LM
Community Member

Well, here it is, January 30 and same issue.  Troubleshooted all the fixes, tried the Nest app instead of the Google Home app, tried a brand new Google Home account, tried both apps on both a Pixel phone and a Chromebook . . . nothing worked.  Over and over, you just get to the "enter the last digits of the serial number" screen and it's a dead end.  Nowhere to punch in the serial number, just a blank white space on the phone under the instruction to type in the serial number.  On the Chromebook you can go at least hit the back button, but on the Pixel phone app, it just doesn't do anything.   Disappointing.  Returning.

JBHall411
Community Member

Same issue as all the above - cannot enter serial number in setup. Has anyone been able to resolve this?

@JBHall411 

When you say "same issue as all the above", what issue do you mean? There are actually several reported. The most common cause for getting a "Choose the last 4 characters of your device's serial number" with no serial numbers listed is due to mistakenly attempting to install the Nest Learning Thermostat or Nest Thermostat E in the Google Home app instead of in the Google Nest app. Another cause is trying to install a Nest thermostat remotely. Yet another is trying to install a camera in the wrong app. Yet another seems to be due to problems on Google Nest's servers, because it was resolved by trying the process on the following day. Still others are unclear.

Nest has supposedly been superceded by goggle home. So why do we have to set up thier latest equipment on an old outdated defunct app?

I can set it up on the nest app fine np.

But then it won't show on goggle home app even though I migrated nest to sync with goggle home.

And the mini nest cannot be set up on nest only on goggle home. 

So therfore issue is you have thermostat on one system ...your speakers on the other. They won't talk to each other. So therefore cannot use voice commands to adjust heating. Which is one of their main selling points.

HelpfulHoward
Community Member

Based upon the comments I've read, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say " Frankly my dear they don't give a **bleep**!" Or if that doesn't suit your fancy, you could just assume that they just don't give a F***!, I choose the latter.

AnonymousIncogn
Community Member

I need a human being to help me. I have tried for over 6 hours over two days to get a new nest cam wired indoor camera installed, but the serial number will not detect, and I did not see any QR code on the lens cover paper to save. I have the box, but do not have a way to enter the serial number from the box. The serial number under the camera is worn away from spinning it on and off while trying to install it. I am not happy about this and need a human to help me.

@AnonymousIncogn 

If you want to talk to someone in Support, you can use the link and instructions in the post below:

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Cameras-and-Doorbells/Using-Google-Nest-s-quot-Contact-Us-quo...

The most common reason for what you're encountering is trying to install in the wrong app, such as trying to install a 2nd gen Google Nest camera in the Google Nest app rather than in the Google Home app.

Jul_Qc
Community Member

Hi! My solution was to install Nest app Then I could add my thermostat in Nest app and then it appears in Google home!