Device exists with the same name

[Kikikay]

I'm having the same problem as this post, but I didn't see an answer: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Unable-to-rename-device-to-same-as-previously-named...

Can you please help? The supposed old device doesn't show up on the list of devices within the last 30 days. I want to reuse the same name on the replacement device I'm using now. Google Home app won't allow me to rename this since it says the name is already being used. How/where can I delete or rename the old device (or when will it drop off automatically) so that I can reuse the same device name again on this new device?

[LovelyM]

Hello Kikikay,

Thanks for reaching out. We'd love to help. 

A few questions: what device are you trying to name? What's the device name that you're using? What other troubleshooting steps have you tried? 

If you haven't already, please try to remove and then re-add your device in the Google Home app. You may also use another phone or tablet to rename it and see if that works. 

Keep me posted.

Best,
Lovely

[Kikikay]

I'm trying to name a Dell laptop that's on my Google Nest Wifi network.

I can't give you the exact device name (since this is a public forum, and I don't want to publicly share what company I work at or my specific internal computer identifier), but let's just call it Company Laptop ABC as an example. The old device was called Company Laptop ABC. The new one I'm using is called Company Laptop ABC (1) right now because Google Home will not allow me to rename it Company Laptop ABC, which is what I want to call it.

How do I "remove and re-add" a device...? In Google Home, it only gives me the option to see devices in Real Time, 1 Day, 7 Days, or 30 Days. The old device name doesn't show up on any of these lists within the last 30 days anymore. Otherwise, if it did, I would simply change it to Company Laptop ABC (old) or something like that, but I can't find it anywhere. And if you're otherwise referring to the new device, I still don't see any way to "remove and re-add" it, either. It only gives me an option to Prioritize Device or Pause Device. It gives me an error message about not being able to rename it Company Laptop ABC on every Google Home app, whether it's on my iPhone or iPad.

[Kikikay]

@LovelyM Hi, just following up. Can you please help? Thanks!

[LovelyM]

Hey Kikikay,

Checking in should you have any concerns or questions you need help with. Let us know by replying to this thread. 

Thanks, 
Lovely

[LovelyM]

Hi Kikikay,

Sorry for the delay. If your old company laptop is no longer connected to your network, it will be automatically cleared from the cloud after 60 days of inactivity. Until then, you won't be able to use its name, as we don't have an option to remove it manually. 

Sincerely,
Lovely

[Kikikay]

Hi, I'm looking for help with this issue: https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Device-exists-with-the-same-name/m-p/449314#M45605

[LovelyM]

Hello Kikikay,

Thanks for posting here in the Community. 

It seems like you created another thread about this concern, so I'll merge this with the main post so we can communicate effectively. You can follow the main one for updates because this one will be locked automatically once merged.

Cheers, 
Lovely