Migrating from Nest to Google Home with same Gmail address (Google account)

[JustPhil]

I used my Gmail address for my Nest account when I acquired a couple Nest Protects, some Nest cameras and a Nest thermostat. Google Home came along and of course I again used the same Gmail address.  I acquired a second generation Nest camera and it cannot be set up on the Nest app so it is now on Google Home.

Nest asked me to migrate and since I want all of my cameras on the same app I tried to migrate everything to Google Home. When I tried I received the message "This Google Account is already linked with another Nest Account. Please select another Google account." Annoying.

From the advice in this thread,

Fixing "Google Account is linked with another Nest... - Google Nest Community

it seems that for whatever reason it is not possible to migrate in my situation and the only option to get my devices on Google Home is to delete each device from my Nest account and then set each up in again in Google Home. A huge PITA.

One possible solution I was thinking off is creating a throw away Gmail account (Google account) and then changing the Gmail account my Nest devices are associated with to the throw away account and then migrating the devices to the proper account in Google Home.

Would this work? Any other way to do it without starting from scratch?

[MplsCustomer]

@JustPhil 

Did you start using the Google Nest app AFTER Aug. 19, 2019? If so, then you're already using a Google Account and do NOT need to migrate. Can you see your older Nest cameras and your Nest thermostat in the Google Home app? (The Nest Protects work ONLY in the Google Nest app.)  If so, then maybe  you got the migration email by mistake.

If not, and you started using the Google Nest app before Aug. 19, 2019 using a Google Account, then it seems Google Nest has left customers like you in an impossible situation.

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9297676?hl=en

[JustPhil]

Well, I am one of those pre August 19, 2019 customers that Google seems to have abandoned. I will keep using the Nest app until Google decides to make me really angry by killing it.

[Jake]

Hey there,

Thanks so much MplsCustomer for the helpful reply.

I wanted to check in and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know, as I would be happy to assist, and answer any questions you may have.

Best regards,
Jake

[JustPhil]

All good thanks. I will just continue using the Nest app.

[Jake]

Hey there,

I wanted to follow up, and see if anyone has any questions from here. Please let me know, as I would be happy to take a closer look.

Best regards,

Jake

[Jake]

Hey there,

I wanted to check in, and let you know that I will be locking the thread in 24 hours.

Best regards,

Jake

[JustPhil]

Thanks. There does not seem to be an easy, sensible solution.  I will keep using the Nest account until Google eventually kills it. At that point if the devices on Nest are still supported I will try to add them to Google Home.

[Jake]

Hey there,

Glad to be of help. I understand if that is the best solution for you. Please let me know if you have any questions from here, as I would be happy to help.

Best regards,

Jake

[Jake]

Hey there,

I wanted to check in, and let you know that I will be locking the thread in 24 hours.

Best regards,

Jake

[MplsCustomer]

@Jake 

I don't know why you are thanking me for my "helpful reply". What I pointed out is that if a customer started using the Google Nest app using a Google Account before Aug. 19, 2019, and that customer has also installed Google Nest devices in the Google Home app using that same Google Account, then it is simply NOT possible for them to now migrate their Nest Account to that Google Account and bring all their Google Nest devices together.

This is a clear Google Nest defect that needs to be corrected.

[aatienza]

Hey folks,

MplsCustomer, I'm sorry if you feel that way. Our team is working hard to deliver the best experience to our users — we'll take this as feedback.

They have two options if they receive this message: Google Account is already linked with another Nest Account.

Use the Google Account that’s linked to another Nest Account.

1. Sign into the Nest app with your Nest Account.
2. Disconnect all your devices.
3. Sign out of the Nest app.
4. Select Sign in with Google sign in with the linked Google Account.
5. Reconnect your devices.

• Or use a new Google Account.
  1. Create a new Google Account.
  2. Migrate your Nest Account to the new Google Account.

Thanks,
Archie