Deleted Gmail Account Used to Register Nest Protects

[Rob-p2c]

I purchased several Nest Protects about six months ago. I added them to the Nest app under my Gmail. I have recently deleted that Gmail account. I signed in to the app with a new email so now it doesn't know my devices.

It wants me to add each device under my new email. I don't feel like unscrewing each one from the ceiling and doing it that way. I do have the Nest device info in Google Takeout data from the old Gmail in json format in a folder called Takeout\Nest but don't know what to do with it. I'm looking for an easier way to register the devices. Can this json data from the Nest folder be imported to my new Google account? What are my options here?

[aperezdeleon]

Hello Rob-p2c,

Thanks for reaching out to our community.

I understand how frustrated you must be about adding your devices to your new account. Don't worry, I'm here to help.

Currently there isn't a way to import any of your previous takeout data to your new email. Your devices were linked to your original account, so if you want to use a new email with them, you'll need to perform a factory reset and add them again.

Feel free to check out this article on how to Reset Nest Protect and erase all settings, as well as this other one about how to Set up Nest Protect with the app, in order to get all of your Nest Protects back up and running the way they were before.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,
Angel.

[Rob-p2c]

Hello and thank you for your reply. Yes I have been factory resetting each of my Nest Protects to associate them with my new email. What a hassle, but I have no other choice. Thank you

[cifuentesj]

Hi @Rob-p2c 

Thank you for your timely post and the comprehensive information you've provided.

I understand you're encountering having to factory reset your Nest Protects. This is the right process to follow, thank you for following the article on the previous post and for your effort with this process. 

Thank you for your attention.

Best regards,

Jeremy

[Rob-p2c]

We completed the factory reset process with five out of six Protects yesterday. We had a problem with number six because the QR code and entry key was scratched out / unreadable. Now I have to plug it into the computer and access a PLI file in order to get the entry key so I can register the device with the Nest app. I wish Google would reposition this info to the center part of the device i.e. not in the path of a screw. Just a suggestion

[aperezdeleon]

Hi again Rob-p2c,

Thank you for your prompt reply and for taking the time to set up your Nest Protects again.

I understand your preference for scanning the center part of your alarm to pair it, rather than removing it. This feedback is valuable to us as we continue to refine our products to better meet your needs.

Please consider filling out this feedback form. Your input will be directly shared with our development team, helping us create features that enhance your overall experience with Nest Protects.

Thank you again for your feedback.

Best regards,
Angel.

[Rob-p2c]

I did fill out the survey. Can you please tell me what would happen if I was not able to register this device? My guess would be that it would still work and make sounds in the event of a fire but no notifications would appear in the app. Is this what would happen?

Another idea might be to include the entry keys in the json files for each device under Takeout\Nest\user\structures\...\smoke_detectors. This would allow people who are technically minded like me to easily find this information and re-register the devices without having to unscrew them from the ceiling. 

You have located both pieces of data in the path of the screws. Just move it over an inch towards the center. 

Also, here is the text of my feedback FYI:

I had a problem recently when I deleted my Gmail address which was used to register several Nest Protects to the Nest app. When I signed in with my new email the app of course didn't know anything about my six devices registered under the old email. I thought maybe I could use data from Google Takeout (Takeout\Nest) to easily re-register the devices under the new email. There's currently no way to import data from Google Takeout to my new Google account.

This left me with having to manually re-register each device by unscrewing each one from the ceiling and scanning the QR code, etc. Not only was this a pain in the ass but one of the devices had both the QR code and the entry key scratched out with the screw that I used to attach the circle thingy to the ceiling. I now must connect this device to my computer and look in a PLI file in order to get the entry key to register the device in the Nest app. BIG pain in the ass.

It should not be this difficult to reregister devices. There should be a way to import data from Google Takeout to a new Google account or better yet transfer data from one account to another. If you refuse to let us do this the least you could do is move the location of the QR code and entry key under each Nest device to a more central location. This way it isn't possibly ruined by screwing the thing into the ceiling.

[Guarcax]

Hi there!

Thanks for your reply.
I’m sorry to hear that all the situations that you’ve been experiencing with your Nest Protects. I understand that you are not able to set up your last Nest Protect because the QR code and the entry key are now illegible. No worries, I can help you solve the situation.

Regarding your question, If you don’t set up your Nest Protect to your Nest App, it will still be working but you won't receive notifications from it, and then you will not be able to know what the Nest Protect is detecting or if it's doing a normal test.

You can follow the next steps to find the entry key:

1. Plug the Nest Protect into a computer via USB.
2. Open the Technical Info file.
3. Find the entry key.

Please check the following articles: Set up Nest Protect with the app for further information.

Tell me how it goes.

Regards,

Daniel.

[Rob-p2c]

I plugged it into my MacBook today but nothing popped up in Finder. Does this only work on Windows computers? If not, can you please explain how I can access the device via my MacBook?

[aperezdeleon]

Hi once again Rob-p2c,

Thanks for your reply.

Since the Technical info.plist file wasn't showing in your Mac, I suggest first that you ensure your Nest Protect has the batteries on and they have enough power. Also, follow these steps:

1. Once you have your Nest Protect connected to your MacBook, press and hold the Nest button until the LED ring shuts down.
2. Open Finder; there should be a removable drive named Nest in the drive list on the left side. In the file list on the left, there should be a file named Technical info.plist.
3. Right-click Technical info.plist and choose "Open With" from the context menu. Use TextEdit to check out its contents and find the entry key.  

By following these steps, you should be able to get your Nest Protect online on the app once again.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Regards,
Angel.

[Rob-p2c]

We were not able to complete step one. When we plugged the nest into the MacBook the light did not come on, therefore we were not able to press the button until the light went off  

[aperezdeleon]

Hello Rob-p2c,

Thanks for your response.

I understand your Nest Protect's ring light isn't turning on once you connect it to your computer. Have you tried using a different USB cable? If possible, try connecting it to a different port on your MacBook or a different computer altogether. If none of these work, I suggest you fill out this form. Doing so will allow us to reach out to you directly via email so we can determine the best course of action.

Once you fill out the form, please let me know. I'll keep an eye out for your response so we can get back to you as soon as possible.

Regards,
Angel.

[aperezdeleon]

Hello again Rob-p2c, 

We haven’t seen your form submission come through. Were you able to access it alright? Let us know if you’re running into trouble or still need our help!

If you have any other questions make sure to let us know.

Regards,

Angel.

[Rob-p2c]

I tried 2 different cables, 2 different USB ports on my MacBook, 4 different computers, 2 different platforms (MacOS & Windows)  and 2 different people. It will not connect and show up on the computer as an external drive. I did fill out your form. What's next?

[ovidioj]

Hello @Rob-p2c,

Thank you for your patience.
I could see your form submission, but I could not see your community user and community thread, so to ensure we can assist you effectively, please make sure you leave your community thread and community username.

Please fill out this form.

With this information, our experts can locate your case and provide assistance promptly. Thank you. 

All the best, 
Jorge 

[Rob-p2c]

done.       

[ovidioj]

Hi @Rob-p2c,

Thanks for submitting the form! A member of our support team will be contacting you via email shortly to assist you further.

Regards, 
Jorge

[Rob-p2c]

thanks!