Why is my nest Doorbell battery talk and listen volume is very VERY quiet

[JohnF]

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: Joe 5774 

When I use the talk and listen function on my doorbell I can hear the person at my doorbell on my phone fine, but they can barely hear me, even when I have my mouth right up against my phone's microphone. My phone works fine on calls. I've turned the volume up in the Home app for the doorbell but it's made no difference. Any ideas why they are hearing me so quietly?

[Sanpawabas]

Same problem here, it doesn't work on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (super quiet so no visitors can hear) but works fine through my wife's Pixel, and works fine using an android emulator on my PC. Nice, clear and loud on everything except my Samsung......which is the device that I need it to work on the most.

How was this missed in testing? Samsung hold the largest percentage of the mobile market, even larger in the android market which this product would mainly be used by.

[Clarky]

I have the exact same issue  and being able to speak to visitors from my phone was one of the primary reasons for puchasing this expensive unit!  

Can I please recommend that each user who has this issue, phone or message google (through help in their home app) asking for escalation for a call or email back from a supervisor to explain what they are doing to fix the issue.  If enough of us do this, it will get their esclated attention very quickly.  😁

[Mikeriog]

I agree. I say we do it. I'm getting tired of this to be frank. 

[Jelmer_]

Yeah, me too, I'm eyeballing a Ring camera because i have no faith google is going to fix this. It looks like it's a big mess there, no updates whatsoever about this issue, only thing they communicated to me is they are aware of the problem.

[Clarky]

I raised mine yesterday and they said they would get back to me in 48 hours.  I asked them to send an email for tracking (case number is 3-211100003237) and it provides links so I can keep bugging them to fix.  If everyone does this, I trust it will get enough attention for them to action.

[BrettR]

Samsung Galaxy 8+ user

Same issue here with brand new out of box doorbell.  I spent several hours with support on this problem. They claim it's not a known issue (classic denial). The resolution provided: return/replace it.  Talk/listen button doesnt work with my onld wired cameras either... total bust at $200 a camera.

After reading through this thread (several months of issues) it sounds as though taking my business to Ring may be the only answer. 

Curious if anyones been given any updates on a new version/patch fix for Google Home App

[Jelmer_]

I'm sorry but indeed, return it while you still can. Or take a leap of faith and also start a ticket at google.

[BrettR]

Two tickets

8-5590000032058

5-3105000032259

both closed under the pretense there is no solution. Return item

[Drelix]

I had the same prob with ring 

[Mikeriog]

Done as well: 1-2695000032016.

They sounded genuinely surprised it was widespread. They told me to get as many people to call as we can so engineering prioritizes it. 

[newobc]

Same issue here, fine on Pixel 6 Pro, very very quiet on Samsung 21 Ultra. Google support are definitely not the best - send you round in circles hoping you will lose interest

[divadyasdnil]

I just purchased the Nest doorbell battery and three nest cam battery kits, and all suffer the same low volume from the camera speaker when I use my Samsung S21 phone. Quick Responses sent from the phone to the doorbell are loud enough suggesting the problem is somehow related to the Google Home app and its use of the Samsung microphone. Like the other members here I don't want to be told to reset (or replace) my phone or cameras as the problem is clearly not going to be resolved that way. This defect removes one of the key features offered by these cameras and one I had intended to use frequently. Without talk and listen functionality I am tempted to return all the equipment to the Google Store as faulty. Google, when are you going to address this issue?

[Clarky]

Hi divadyasdnil and others, I'm sure google will not escalate action from this forum. We need to each report individually as per my previous recommendation for threat of return if no action ... and follow them up.

They have 2 year warranty but is there a limited period we are able to return for a full refund (not credit) due to this issue?

[divadyasdnil]

Reported to Google support. Waiting for a response.

[JoshSpicer]

I'd rather not return, although experiencing the same issues with units delivered Friday. Anyone else get free nest aware?

[BrettR]

Free Nest Aware wouldnt make up for the reduced function. Not having the "talk" ability- to a visitor at my door (from anywhere in the world) reduces security features and overall convenience of not having to run to answer the front door.

Too each their own. 

Id recommend submitting a ticket and hold Google responsible.

[bringmemybow]

Samsung Note 9, same issue. 

Please keep us updated, I will start contacting them too. 

[Smallbone32]

Hello! I have the same problem. Samsung S20. Pre recordings are perfect but a live chat I can hear them fine but I am very very quiet even shouting down the phone.

Does anyone have any solutions? 

[BrettR]

Submit a ticket for greater exposure to the issue.

The problem was identified in 2017.

[ralphfx]

Same issue with a samsung s9 and s20 when using talk an listen with a nest doorbell (wired) and a nest cam indoor - when I speak, the person on the nest doorbell or nest cam side can't hear me talking.

[Renkku]

@Brad @are you going to close this channel as well and delete all the comments? or is someone at google going to fix this and compensate all Samsung users who have bought any nest camera product where promised features (talk-back) is not working?

[JosefK]

Just bought and installed new doorbell and have the same issue using various Samsung phones... googling the issue and finding this thread along with posts from years ago highlighting this issue is beyond disappointing. 

[PZL]

Reported to Google support as well and sent an email to the folks at 9to5google.com as a news tip.  Who knows, maybe they'll be able to get an answer from Google.

[robglijer]

Same problem here 😞 
Tested with Galaxy S21 & Google Pixel (!) 4 xl. 
This is definately a problem in the doorbell. 

[Jelmer_]

Say what??? Are you telling me that even the Google Pixel (!) 4 xl is having the same talk & listen issues with the google doorbell as we have with Samsung telephones??

[robglijer]

Sorry, my mistake. Tested again with my pixel 4 and it worked perfect. 
Another reason to get rid of my Samsung phone... 

[Jelmer_]

That's one solution, ditching google doorbell for Ring is also a good solution.

It's ashame the developers can't fix this issue between samsung galaxy phones and the google doorbell.

[BrettR]

Considering Samsung owns 21% Marketshare of US Smartphones... I'd say there's a "for-profit" opportunity (or opportunity loss) somewhere in there for Google to get their "stuff" together.  

[mcbleung]

This is soo disappointing.... so all we can do is complain to Google Not sure if i should just return it 😞

[BrettR]

You CAN take action. Return it.

This has been a known issue since 2017... 

Almost every other doorbell product on the market works fine with Samsung

[emcacnp]

Same issues with me. I have 2 Note 9 and one iPhone in the household. No issue with the iPhone but both Note 9 don't work on that talk and listen features. I called the Nest support, done much maneuvers and the tech said try a new one. So replacement came, same thing. Talked to Nest support again, the first person just said my phone was the issue. I told him I searched it up and found many people have the issue and want to escalate to speak with someone who knows better. Some senior tech support guy came and still nothing. Only opened a ticket to follow..... This is frustrating!!

Unfortunately, my home is practically Google all around, so not easy in just return to make a statement.

[Mikeriog]

Same here. I'm heavily invested in the eco system at this point. It's sad they won't listen to/support their own customers when we have proof in this board that many are effected.

I fear our best way forward is to get the media to report on this...

[BrettR]

Extremely frustrating!

To begin, google support techs shouldn't be walking you through all of these useless attempts to resolve.

They're robbing you (us) of our most precious resoucre- TIME!

I too have already invested in multiple Nest cameras (outside of the return window), so I wont be made whole until they fix their issue

There currently is no ability to migrate out of google, back to Nest... which would resolve the microphone issue. Apparently, the bug resides between the Nest/Google Home application on Samsung devices. My problems only began when I hit the "migrate to google nest" button for the purpose of installing the doorbell.

Here's a recent article trending: https://www.androidheadlines.com/2021/10/android-phones-issues-nest-devices-samsung.html

Keep sharing this thread (google nest community) out to other social platforms. It will create more visibility access for google searches made by similar victims, and also provide more exposure to the issue in general. 

[emcacnp]

I wonder when Google created this community, do they plan to have their tech team member come and read the comments, then bring back issues to the software team to make improvement?

[newobc]

Has anyone tried contacting Samsung, surely they'd want to get it sorted, maybe they'd put some pressure on. Could be another angle as Google are ignoring us

[emcacnp]

Please advise what I need to ask Samsung for. Obviously it's the software issues with Google nest and not Samsung's problem, so not really sure what Samsung can do.

[newobc]

Samsung can say to Google, "Hey why don't you make your doorbell work with our phones".

[Hsingh14]

Same issue with Nest Hub Max brand new out of box, Samsung Note 10+

[Johan]

Similar issue here with 'Nest Doorbell Battery' and 'Moto Edge 5G (XT20############)'.

Not even the most faint sound on the doorbell when using 'talk and listen', though I can hear the visitor perfectly. Quick replies are working as well.

When I insert my wired headphones in the 3.5 jack, everything works fine.

And yes, there's nothing wrong with permissions or the mic itself.

Looks like on this device the wrong mic. input is selected by the 'home app' or camera activity.

Other apps like WhatsApp or my 'Comelit Intercom App' are working just fine.

Please google, find a way to fix this!

[emcacnp]

Nice to know the 3.5 jack works. But it's still inconvenient having to use a plugged in headphone!