Google Nest Doorbell linked to Philips Hue Lights

[Cheryl4Sign]

Hello,

I'm helping deaf lady to set up Google nest doorbell linked with Philips Hue Lights. When doorbell pressed, the lights will flash to get her attention that someone is at the door. Her hearing husband passed away and she rely on him. I use IFTTT but Google Nest Protect only work on Google home. So right now, I need help how to set up Google Nest doorbell link with Philips Hue. There're no clear instructions to set it up. It's all for Hearing people. I have no problem with IFTTT but Google Home is more complicated. Help?

Scott (Cheryl helper)

[EmptyNester]

Hello,  So this is a little tricky but I think it can be done.   This is not a simple processes but here is what to do.

NOTE:  Before proceeding I suggest you completely read thru this to see what is involved.

#1----------------

The first thing to do is make sure you have PREVIEW enabled in the Google Home app and select "SETTINGS" (gear) in the lower right corner.  Scroll down to PUBLIC PREVIEW and enroll in this.  You have do this in order to get access to the AUTOMATIONS features

#2----------------

The next thing to do is go into the Google Home app and make sure you give it permission to see the Phillips devices.  

In the google home app select DEVICES at the bottom of the home page.

Select the "+ADD" at the bottom right corner.

Select WORKS WITH GOOGLE

Scroll WAYYYYYYYYY down to Phillips Hue and follow the directions.  You will need to give GOOGLE HOME the login and password for Phillips in order for it to have access to those devices.

You should see  a message at the bottom that says your Phillips lights have been added to the Google Home app.

#3----------------

This is the hardest step.   You need to build an automation that will make the light flash when the button is hit.  You can do this in the Google App but for me it is much easer to build the automation from the HOME.GOOGLE.COM website.    When you go to this website and log in you will see all your cameras.    In the upper left corner you will see an AUTOMATIONS section.    This is where having programming skills comes in handy.

A basic template opens up and you can read it but all you have to do is fill in the Doorbell button push and the light you want to turn ON

After you make your changes click the VALIDATE button to make sure you have made something that is ERROR FREE.  Then click the ACTIVATE button in the lower right corner and your automation should now be working.

In the STARTERS section click on "TYPE" and a pre-populated list will come up and select DoorbellPress. Next line down click on DEVICE and select your doorbell

Delete the second on CONDITIONS because you don't have any for this example

Then in the ACTIONS section click on TYPE and make it decide.command.onOff, make the "ON" selection TRUE and then finally click on the DEVICE and choose what light you want to turn on.

Here is what mine looks like:

# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #
# Lines starting with “#” are comments and will be ignored by the automation.
# Indentation determines hierarchy within the script.
# Visit g.co/home/script-editor-docs for full documentation.
# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ #

metadata:
name: Turn on Living room lights when Doorbell button pushed
# Choose a short name that summarizes important starters and actions, like “Sunset lights”.
description: Scripted automation # Write a detailed description that includes everything the automation does, like “At sunset, on weekdays, close blinds, turn on lights to 50%, and play the sunset playlist on certain speakers.”

automations:
# “starters” and “actions” are required; “conditions” are optional.
# Use Ctrl + Space to see autocomplete suggestions.

# ---- STARTERS ---- #
# Starters describe events that will start the automation.
# To add more than one starter, duplicate the "- type" section under "starters".
# If you add multiple starter events, any one of them happening will start the automation.
starters:
- type: device.event.DoorbellPress # A doorbell has been pressed.
device: Front DoorBell - Cameras

# ---- CONDITIONS ---- #
# Conditions are optional. Delete this section if it’s empty.
# Conditions will prevent an automation from starting if the conditions aren’t met.
# See g.co/home/script-editor-docs for documentation about how to use logical operators like “and”, “or”, and “not”.

# ---- ACTIONS ---- #
# Actions will start when a starter event takes place and all conditions are met.
# Actions will start in the order they appear in the script and with any delay specified.
# To add more than one action, duplicate the "- type" section under "actions".
actions:
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off. # Turn the device on or off.
on: true
devices: Dining room bookshelves - SWITCHES PLUGS

This was meant to help get you started but it does not do the 'flashing' part.  I'm not sure how to do that.  But once the light is ON it can then be turned doff manually and it will come on again the next time the doorbell us pushed.

Let me know if get this to work.

[EmptyNester]

Update:  I figured out how to get the light to flash.  But do the first part that I send (previously) and if you get that far then I will show you how to get the flashing part to work.

[Cheryl4Sign]

Thanks EmptyNester. Ok the only problem is that there's no Philips Hue in Google Home. On the iPhone app it shows both Google Nest Doorbell and Philips Hue but not on the website (Home.Google.com). Only just the doorbell. Will that make any difference?

Scott

[EmptyNester]

Oh right,  Sorry,  I forgot that step.  You need to give permission for the Google Home app to access your phillips hue lights.   To do this go into the Google Home app and at the bottom select the DEVICES tab.  Then you should see a "+ ADD" button in the lower right corner.  Click that and then you should see 3 options.  You want to select the one that says "WORKS WITH GOOGLE".   Scroll WAYYYYYYyyyyy down the list until you fine PHILLIPS HUE.  Select it and then you will need to enter your Phillips hue login and password.  Once you complete this when  you go back to the automation script you should be able to add the Phillips hue lights.    One thing that is a little confusing is when you go back to the script the Phillips Hue lights should be in the list of devices you can select from.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[Cheryl4Sign]

Ok I got the lights to work when press the doorbell. Now how to get it to flash?

Scott

[Cheryl4Sign]

I keep forgetting to tell you about myself... I'm a retired IT for 42 years.  Yes I already have Philips Hue added to the Google Home App. Now I understand what you are saying that Home.google.com will only show up on Script right? Not on the main page left column that only shows Camera and Automations. I thought I was expecting like cameras, lights and Automations?

Thanks again!

Scott 

[Cheryl4Sign]

I'm just wondering how much do you know about Google Nest Hub? Will all three devices, Smoke, lights and doorbell work together? I don't know if that will be easier for deaf woman to have that? See really many of the hardware are designed for hearing people but there's no sections about how to set it up for deaf people or to have capability to make it work.

Scott 

[EmptyNester]

Hello Scott, good to meet you.    So were you able to get the automation to work?   

I have (2) of  the google nest hubs,   I can't say that they are somewhat easy to use but they are somewhat flakey and inconsistent.   But that being said it has some nice features.  For one thing if someone rings the door bell the image pops up of who is there.   You can also ask it to show the live image of a camera all the time.  But if you have battery cameras it is limited to a few minutes before the camera shuts off to preserve battery power.   I don't think the smoke detectors show  up at all on the nest hub.   But it does allow someone to control home automation devices such as turning lights on/off from the screen or changing the NEST Thermostat setting.     I'm not sure I answered your question.  At the end of the day you can get them on sale fairly often for $50.00.  So I suggest just getting one and trying it and if you don't like it return it before ehe 30 day return policy.

[Cheryl4Sign]

1st Gen or 2nd Gen Hub?  I spoke with one leading/senior team and mentioned this:

9:25:27 AM: For starters direct integration, while us Google hasn't explicitly mentioned this feature, it's likely that the Nest Hub can directly trigger Philips Hue lights when a smoke alarm is activated. This would involve setting up a routine within the Google Home app.9:25:46 AM Eva: The Google Home app offers a wealth of customization options. Experiment with routines, notifications, and device settings to find the best configuration for your customer's needs.9:26:33 AM Eva: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7029585?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&sjid=17911295...

So I'm getting different responsed from one team to another...LOL. I decided to go ahead and experiment on Nest Hub 2nd Gen and will see what happen.

Thanks for your time. Including the script that you created...  this increase my understanding how this works.

Scott

[EmptyNester]

Hmmmm, I think he gave you a bit of a confusing answer.

#1 I don't think you can even purchase the 1st Gen Hub any more.  So if you do it just get the gen 2 hub (it is better).  And just to be sure we are talking about the little desk top box with about a 5 inch video screen on it,  yes?

#2 Automating the Phillips lights to flash based on the smoke detector all happens  in the automations programming you and I have been talking about.  It has absolutely zero to do with the Google hub.

#3 but for a deaf person (or any person for that matter) I would just get them an iPhone or android that they keep with them at all times.   It does SO MUCH MORE than the hub when it comes to these products.   From there they get all the alerts and can even silence the smoke detectors without going to them and using the button.  And if they are away from the house and the smoke detectors go of they will get an alert on the phone.   

[EmptyNester]

Congrats on getting it going.  The hard part is over.  From here you will be able to think of all kinds of different routines.

You may want to copy and paste your working script into a new copy and work from that. This way you can refer back to your working copy if you need to.  

So there is not official "flash" option for anything in the automation.  You basically have to fake it by having 5 lines of code that turn it ON, wait a few seconds and then turn it OFF for a few seconds... and repeat it for however many flashes you want.  

So to make the light flash go back over to the Automation section of HOME.GOOGLE.COM and on the right where the help me script is type in "Makes lights flash 5 times" and it will generate the code.  You then copy just the ACTIONS section into your current script and past it into your current script.   

It will look something like this:

  actions:
      - type: device.command.OnOff
        devices:
          - Mike’s Lamp - Living Room
        on: true
      - type: time.delay
        for: 1sec
      - type: device.command.OnOff
        devices:
          - Mike’s Lamp - Living Room
        on: false
      - type: time.delay
        for: 1sec
      - type: device.command.OnOff
        devices:
          - Mike’s Lamp - Living Room
        on: true
      - type: time.delay
        for: 1sec
      - type: device.command.OnOff
        devices:
          - Mike’s Lamp - Living Room
        on: false
      - type: time.delay
        for: 1sec
      - type: device.command.OnOff
        devices:
          - Mike’s Lamp - Living Room
        on: true

[Cheryl4Sign]

LOL! That what I did, see my script below:

actions:
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off. # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: true
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 3sec
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: false
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off. # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: true
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 3sec
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: false
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off. # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: true
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 3sec
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: false
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights

So It works! but need to play around a little bit since the lights on for 3 seconds then it blink then on for 3 seconds, so now I'm working on getting to stay off for 2 seconds. I'm getting there.

[EmptyNester]

Great!  You are on your way.   Keep in mind the ON time can have a different duration than the OFF time.   I can never seem to get the routine to be perfect but from here you are well on your way.  

For may back yard I made 2 different lights flash alternately  (IE One on the other off,,, then the other Off and then ON).  It really gets your attention.  And with Phillips lights I even think there is a way to tell it the color you want it to be.  

[Cheryl4Sign]

Now the next step is to have Google Nest Protect trigger the light red flash which represent fire alarm. So I tried to work on the script and the example below just to test to see the light flash (not red) for a test to see if that works but doesn't seem to be working. Help? See the script below to see if I missed anything? I see few "IS" listed one saying High, Med or something like that and other is "smoke detected". That what I use.

automations:
# “starters” and “actions” are required; “conditions” are optional.
# Use Ctrl + Space to see autocomplete suggestions.

# ---- STARTERS ---- #
# Starters describe events that will start the automation.
# To add more than one starter, duplicate the "- type" section under "starters".
# If you add multiple starter events, any one of them happening will start the automation.
starters:
- type: device.state.SensorState # A measurement produced by a sensor. FOr example, the amount of smoke measured by a smoke detector, or the amount of carbon monoxide measured by a carbon monoxide detector, and so forth.
state: currentSensorStateData.SmokeLevel.currentSensorState
# The data from the sensor. [available operators: is, isNot]
is: smoke detected
device: Upstairs - Upstairs

# ---- ACTIONS ---- #
# Actions will start when a starter event takes place and all conditions are met.
# Actions will start in the order they appear in the script and with any delay specified.
# To add more than one action, duplicate the "- type" section under "actions".
actions:
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: true
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 2sec
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: false
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 1sec

[EmptyNester]

I'm not sure I can help as I don't have a Philips light that can change color.  

But Just to clarify,  What part isn't working?   Are you able to get the light to FLASH if the smoke detector goes off?  Or is it that you just can't get it to flash the color RED?

Also, there is another section of this forum that is devoted to automation.  You might try posting this there and see if other people know hot to make this work....

Here is the link:

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Home-Automation/bd-p/Home-Automation-CHIP

[Cheryl4Sign]

What I'm trying to do is to get the lights flashed when smoke detected. Don't worry about the color red. Will fix that later. I just simply want the lights to flash when smoke detector goes off. Also How can I tell if Google Nest Protect added to Google Home? Each time I select "add device" and I pick Google Nest or partner device then I select Smoke/CO alarm then it say Use the Next app. I pick Go to Nest App. It went to Nest Protect app and then what? You  know. So I tapped menu (the one with multiple horizonal lines) and saw the message said "Looking for a home from the Google Home app? Tap the + icon" Which I did and I tapped + and asked for "what to call your home?"  I follow the rest of the instructions and that was it. I look at Home but don't see anywhere that show Home Nest protect added to Google home?

[EmptyNester]

Just to be clear do you have the Google Nest Smoke detectors?  If you do then I believe they should already be there.   

I went to Google.home.com and went to the Automations and said "

when nest detects smoke turn on a light" and it generated this code... so it must know the smoke detector is there in my system.

metadata:
  name: turn on light when nest detects smoke
  description: When the smoke detector in the living room goes off turn on the light.
automations:
  - starters:
      - type: device.state.SensorState
        device: Living Room - Living Room
        state: currentSensorStateData.SmokeLevel.currentSensorState
        is: smoke detected
    actions:
      - type: device.command.OnOff
        devices:
          - Dining room wall shelf - Dining room
        on: true

[Cheryl4Sign]

Yes Smoke detector installed. I only installed one to test it out.  The smoke detector name is Upstairs and the lights name is "All Lights" Since she have 4 lights. let me show what I wrote/select below:

starters:
- type: device.state.SensorState # A measurement produced by a sensor. FOr example, the amount of smoke measured by a smoke detector, or the amount of carbon monoxide measured by a carbon monoxide detector, and so forth.
state: currentSensorStateData.SmokeLevel.currentSensorState
# The data from the sensor. [available operators: is, isNot]
is: smoke detected
device: Upstairs - Upstairs

# ---- ACTIONS ---- #
# Actions will start when a starter event takes place and all conditions are met.
# Actions will start in the order they appear in the script and with any delay specified.
# To add more than one action, duplicate the "- type" section under "actions".
actions:
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: true
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 2sec
- type: device.command.OnOff # Turn the device on or off.
# Whether to turn the device on or off.
on: false
devices: All Lights Lights - All Lights
- type: time.delay
# Adjust duration as needed. Supported units: sec, min, hour
for: 1sec

[Cheryl4Sign]

So that script above should work right?

[EmptyNester]

It looks correct but I don't want to try it because for me "ALL LIGHTS" would turn on over 30 lights in my house.   

Also, how are you testing it?  Maybe burning a piece of bread to set off the smoke detector?

(2) things might help you.

At the bottom of the Script editor you will see "VALIDATE".  Click it and it does a sort of error-check and it tells you if you have any issues.    It will put a little 'triangle' next each line of text if it has a 'warning message'.  Click on the triangle and it tells you more details.  I think it puts a circle for an actual error message for something that needs correcting.

Also, in the bottom of the script editor you will see CLOCK icon that shows you an execution log.  If something isn't working that can help point you in the direction to figure out what went wrong.

Let me know if this helps.

PS: And of course don't forget to hit that ACTIVATE button before you go burn that piece of toast, LOL

[Cheryl4Sign]

Ha ha for you yes you don't want all lights on but not for deaf people. Deaf people can't hear the alarm. That is very critical part for the deaf community. I did test it with match stick and the Next Protect activate a red ring around it. but when I look at the light nothing happens. I did use "Validate" and that is what I like about it. Just like back to my old Fortran IV programing day. Of course I double check to be sure I switch to activate mode. Now you just mentioned about the clock icon! That should be very helpful. Will check that out tomorrow when I visited her again. She been praying for the Nest Protect to work with lights. Will keep you posted tomorrow. 

[EmptyNester]

Yes, keep me posted.  I'm suspecting that the "ALL LIGHTS" function may not be working.  Maybe try it with just one light to start with.   Or to test the ALL LIGHTs function temporarily changing it to a "door open" or the doorbell so you don't have to keep triggering the smoke detector.... just for trouble shooting of course.

On another note I was thinking it would be cool make another routine so that if her smoke detectors go off then it sends you (or anyone) a text message.  I think there might be a way to do that.

OH,,,, and totally funny on your comment.   I was pretty good with fortran in my day as well.  Comp Sci degree from an east coast school graduated in 1982.   My favorite language was PASCAL.... but we know that pretty much went no where, LOL.

[Cheryl4Sign]

Just arrived at here, her house. Ok well you know when using Nest Doorbell, All Lights work beautiful you know. I thank you for that. As far Smoke alarm notification to her phone, yes that work. I had her phone Android set to vibrate with screen flashes yellow. But the problem is she doesn't carry it around well. She's about 70 y/o. And how she will see it during her sleep. She has a Fitbit (purchased recently) to help her to remind to take medications and receiving texts notification. Had few people complaining about not responding right away (like at the store). So all of those devices re: doorbell, Fitbit, her phone and Philips Hue lights work pretty well.  Will  review  the "clock" 

Oh yeah, experienced Basic Fortran, Pascal, and Cobol (I hate this one. Then I decided to change to Network Engineer, later system Admin, then Cyber Security and finally MIS.

Ok back to work!

[Cheryl4Sign]

Here's the short script about this device:

starters:
- type: device.state.SensorState # A measurement produced by a sensor. FOr example, the amount of smoke measured by a smoke detector, or the amount of carbon monoxide measured by a carbon monoxide detector, and so forth.
state: currentSensorStateData.SmokeLevel.currentSensorState
# The data from the sensor. [available operators: is, isNot]
is: smoke detected
device: Upstairs - Upstairs

[Cheryl4Sign]

Sorry for many "reply"!  Ok I was reading through the user guide about Google Automation Script. What I found is that Device should before the sensor state? Here's the example from the user guide:

starters:
- type: device.state.SensorState
device: My Device - Room Name
state: currentSensorStateData.SmokeLevel.currentSensorState
is: high

And my script from previous reply, I had to set Device Last? I'm going to try to move that before Sensor state and try again.

[Cheryl4Sign]

Finally!!! Lights work!! when smoke detected lights flashes!

Thanks you for all the help!!

Sneakernet

[EmptyNester]

Hello,  Yes I didn't love COBOL either.    WAY to wordy, LOL

So glad you did some digging and found out how to do this properly.   Were you able to see a way to text YOUR phone if the smoke detector goes off?

[Cheryl4Sign]

Yes, not text, just notification from Google Nest Protect app with screen flash and vibration (including Fitbit) This only work on Galaxy 23+ as far I know.