Mysteriously, Google Assistant on my Google Home Nest Hub 8 2nd gen lost connection to Google Store Philips Hue A19 Bluetooth (no bridge), said not recognized although set up months ago and working properly before.
Seems there is a lot of information from Philips about the bridge model (discontinued?) but not the seamless install model with no bridge later generation just Bluetooth. So I wasted a lot of time on misleading paths that didn't work and found no answer on this forum or online Google help.
Finally I discovered that I needed to reset the light bulbs. See www.philips-hue.com/en-us/explore-hue/works-with/voice-control/the-google-assistant#What_should_I_do... where I quote:
>>If you run into issues with a Philips Hue smart bulb during Google’s Seamless Setup process, first try resetting the bulb. You can reset a Philips Hue smart bulb any of these three ways:
Use the power source: Switch the power going to the bulb on (e.g. by toggling a light switch or the power switch of a lamp) for 5–10 seconds and then off again. Repeat this process five times. The bulb will blink to confirm it’s been reset to factory settings.
Hint: Check for the Bluetooth label on the bulb itself or the package it came in. Note that this method only works with Bluetooth-enabled bulbs.
Use a Hue dimmer switch: Switch the power going to the bulb on (e.g. by toggling a light switch or the power switch of a lamp). Then, hold the Hue dimmer switch within about four inches of the bulb and press the ON and OFF buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the bulb blinks to confirm it’s been reset to factory settings.
Use the Philips Hue Bluetooth app: Download the Philips Hue Bluetooth app (available for iOS and Android) and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your bulb in the app. Once your bulb is set up in the app, go to Settings > Voice assistants and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your bulb with Google Assistant.
If you’re still having trouble pairing your bulb, go to Settings, tap the light you want to reset, and then tap Reset > Factory reset. The bulb will blink to confirm it’s been reset to factory settings.
When you've reset your Philips Hue bulb, try the Seamless Setup process again. If the bulb still won't connect, contact Customer Support.
>>
The first reset method worked for me but no idea how to contact customer support if it did not.
(Although I can control brightness and color, bulbs for some reason don't appear as paired in Bluetooth settings. Perhaps need to use the Philips Hue Bluetooth app not the Philips Hue app for bridge.)
