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Google Nest Router with T-mobile 5g Gateway

Amoreena
Community Member

Hi all!

Just got Tmo's 5g in the neighborhood as our ISP and will be going cableless (for the first time!)

We found best location and set up the network with the Tmo gateway.  Then installed (via Ethernet from Tmo gateway and QR code) slightly older Google Nest router (approx 2 yrs old...is that Gen 1? How would I know?) to it (as a "base" for a mesh, if needed, in case needed to add access points) and also because I had it paired with Spectrum before (in a different city/house).  All Google devices (including WeMos) paired perfectly in the prior house.

A friend set up the Google Nest Router as a DIFFERENT network.... What this correct? (Don't believe that was how it was set up with Spectrum before, but not sure, as it was over two years,ago, but I don't ever remember seeing a second network name)

Then I deleted all of my previous "Homes" (primary and vacation) which seemed to have forced some of the old device names into the new Home/house (just figured they could be renamed when re-connected, if in wrong room ( e.g. Rokus, WeMos, etc.)

Then I went to Dr appt and the friend worked on plugging in the devices and adding them into Google Home app on my phone.

Now? Bit of a cluster.  The Google Nest Router, Nest Thermostat and my Android phone are all on the "Tmo gateway" network and the Google Home app itself on my phone is showing up under the "Google Nest Router" network.

The names of the devices are all clusters too (I.e. San Franciso's Living room Roku may now really be located in San Diego's master bedroom, etc").

When I go to edit them, it won't let me because the device(s) and the Google Home App on my phone are on different networks.

So....

1. Again, do I really need two different networks?

2. We DO plan on Airbnb'ing and/or having a tenant on site (TWO different rooms), so wanting to restrict WiFi and Google Home (Guest Mini Google A and Guest Mini Google B) to "guest" mode. Prior house/Spectrum had a guest mode for Wi-Fi... Tmo gateway does not.

So how best to fix the cluster with the guest(s) modes in mind? Help!!!  I'm not too tech savvy, so baby steps, please!

Thanks in advance to all the brilliant nerds 😉 You're the best!

 

27 REPLIES 27

olavrb
Platinum Product Expert
Platinum Product Expert

Here are info on the different models:

Best practice is to bridge the modem/ router in front of Nest Wifi, else you get double NAT. Ask the ISP how.

If you got a Nest Wifi router, it has more powerfull hardware, range and speed than Google Wifi, and thus is recommended as the first/ main/ master puck in the network.

Heres how one should add points to an existing network, one should not set up additional points as a new network in a new Google Home home:


I don't work for Google.

Amoreena
Community Member

Hi!

So, I still don't understand.

Tmo 5g gateway requires you to set that up first so that there is an ISP.  Call it TMO NETWORK. then I connect by Ethernet the Google Nest Wi-Fi to that Tmo gateway and then a second network is set up and let's say we call it GOOGLE NEST WIFI NETWORK.  Is this the coreect thing to do? Or is there another way? We did it this way because We figured it would boost spied and allow for future Mesh points since the house and yards are spread out.

My Android phone is connected to TMO NETWORK and so is the google nest wifi.  I start to add the devices to TMO NETWORK.

So, my phone and the devices are all on TMO NETWORK, but Google Home app says they are not on the same network..and it can't find Chromecast (and SOME google minis either) Rokus need to be re-labeled..., but are at least functioning TVs.

Thank you for your patience!

1. Please,advise as to correct way to set up.

2. If you do a bridge, then three if no way to set up the Wi-Fi for guest and we need to do that for furure airbnb and tenants.

 

 

olavrb
Platinum Product Expert
Platinum Product Expert

You did it without putting the ISP equipment in bridge mode, which is not recommended because it will give you double NAT. This can create various problems for devices connected to Nest Wifi, plus devices connected to Nest Wifi (say your PC) won't be able to talk/ connect with devices connected to your ISP box (say a printer).

Nest Wifi also has guest Wi-Fi:


I don't work for Google.

Amoreena
Community Member

I'm sorry.  We both just seem to be repeating what we are saying without really communicating.

I need my specific questions to be answered and a more basic step by step instructions.

I'm not understanding the overall concept/infrastructure of how this network (or networks?) should be set up and should everything (phone and all devices) be on the Google Nest Wi-Fi network or the Tmo Network?  

I do understand that I can create guest betwork via the Google Home App (I need confirmation if it is referring to the smart devices in the Google Home only or access to the entire ISP Wi-Fi network).

Again, I guess I'm not understanding the basic infrastructure of the purpose and methodology of the set up.

Thank you!

EdwardT
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi folks,

 

@olavrb, thanks for the help!

 

@Amoreena, thanks for reaching out. Based on your description, you have 2 networks. This is what olavrb is referring to as double NAT. We don't recommend this setup as this would cause some issues on your Google Wifi network. I would advise contacting your ISP to bridge your T-mobile router and you can connect all of your devices on your Google Wifi network.

 

Thanks,
Edward

Jhonleanmel
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey folks,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any trouble from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Mel

Hey everyone,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we'll be locking this thread if there is no update within 24 hours. If you have any new issues, updates or just a discussion topic, feel free to start a new thread in the Community.

Best, 
Mel

Hi,

I have not found any of this helpful!

I have reached out TWICE with LENGTHY/specific questions/situation and note, it is about my GOOGLE Home and the  network(s) and I clearly state I'm an amateur and need step by step instructions.

I just get back practically one liners about a double NAT and to "bridge" it. That is not helpful.  Did anyone bother to look up who my ISP is??? I provided the info.  Again Tmo 5g gateway.  I would think that Google employees that provide support would GOOGLE that info BEFORE answering and see that it CAN'T BE BRIDGED.

I guess I'm the ONLY person in all of the US with Tmo 5g Gateway that has Google Home with Google Wi Fi router, Google Home display hub, several Google minis, Nest thermostat, Wemos, Arlos, Rokus, Chromecasts, etc. and having these issues. Right.

I expected better from you all.  I guess you'll just check the box that you "resolved" the issue, take credit for that stat and close out the ticket.

Guess I'm on my own!

Jhonleanmel
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi Amoreena,

 

Chiming in to help you out further. Also, thanks for clarifying your concern, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

 

It's great that your network is already setup and working. You don't need two networks, however, the Google Nest Wifi creates a separate network after the setup. This means that if you cannot disable your TMO 5G gateway's Wi-Fi network, then your home will have two networks by default ― one from the Google Nest Wifi mesh network and one from your ISP's gateway.

 

There is an option for you to create, edit, and share a Guest Wi-Fi network in the Home app if you push through with having guests connect to a separate network aside from your primary networks.

 

For you to connect and control your Nest devices in the Home app, you need to connect them to your Google Nest WIfi network. Also, if they are still setup under your TMO 5G network, you need to factory reset them and set them up under your Google Nest Wifi network. You can check this link on how to factory reset your Nest devices.

 

Let us know how it goes, and please let me know if you have other questions or concern as I'd love to help.

 

Best,

Mel

Hey Amoreena,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any trouble from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Mel

Hey Amoreena,


I'm just checking in to make sure that you've seen our response. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns as I will be locking this in 24 hours.

Thanks,
Mel

Hi Mel,

Thank you for the updated info.

I have not had a chance to try everything you recommended, so I will be unable to update you within 24 hrs.
Fingers crossed I have all the info and if all works.  Fyi, additionally, because of the location of the Tmo 5g Wi-Fi  gateway, I am able to connect it via LAN only to the Google Nest Wi-Fi router.  Everything else will have to be wireless only; otherwise house will look like a LAN spaghetti factory! In the other house, I used to have a netgear hub that the Google router was connected to and most devices were wired, so that is yet another change/difference I'm dealing with.
Thank you.
Amoreena

 

Jhonleanmel
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi Amoreena,

Thanks for letting us know. Take your time, I'll be waiting for your update.

Best,
Mel

Hi Amoreena,

 

Checking back in should you still have some questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread.

 

Best, 
Mel

Hi Amoreena,

Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.

Thanks,
Mel

I have been struggling for weeks with some of the same problems that Amoreena described.  I am still rather puzzled by your answers that use abbreviations for various important details.  i had had no problems attaching my mesh network to the Netgear router that connected to Spectrum using an App that is no longer supported.   I  was disappointed to fine that the connection to the T-Mobile system has introduce problems.  The new replacement App does not connect to my mesh.  The T-Mobile app does not seem to help. I have tried resolving these in a multitude of ways including resetting unit that now will not reconnect to either network.  I would like to  hire a technician to come to my house an get my network functioning reliable  again, but do not know of a Google store with  technician references .  

Hi aekdcktexas,

 

Thanks for posting ― let's see what's going on.

 

A few questions: Have you migrated your network to the Home app? Are you still seeing your offline network on the app? Also, how did you factory reset your devices?

 

Give these steps a try:

 

  1. Make sure that your offline network is not showing on the app.
  2. Check if the Ethernet cable is plugged into the globe icon on the bottom of your Google Wifi main point.
  3. Factory reset your Google Wifi using the reset button.
  4. Setup in the Home app.

Keep us posted.

 

Best,

Mel

Thanks for all the information and advise that was provided on this Community WEB site.  I found even more help on a similar site for T-Mobile customers using 5G for internet service using different towers that came from several different  of manufactures. 

Here is what I did to get some satisfaction. I attached the previously reset and working white Goggle Cylinder Model GJ2CQ (AKA Puck, Mesh, …?) to the RJ45 Socket identified by a glob icon ( apparently the circle enclosing 2 curved vertical and two curve horizontal lines) attaching it to one of the two RJ45 sockets on the Gateway. This Puck became the router for the network to preform Network Address Translation (NAT) for the other Pucks that function as bridges to extend the network’s service area via wireless communication bands but unfortunately no longer to the third puck that just blinks blue. The third puck for years had worked fine Otherwise my system is finally working!

 

I originally set up the my Google Mesh with three pucks using using the instructions at that time to use the Google WiFi App that I downloaded to my iPhone. The Mesh extended my existing Spectrum Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) coax modem that had been set up using my Netgear WiFi Router using the same Network SSID with no problems encountered at all. I had no need to use the App again since the system worked for years.  Unfortunately, that App was dropped by Google sometime in the multiyear interval before I switched to T-Mobile. The replacement Home App has been useless in reestablishing connection to the 3rd Puck. If I cannot get it activated, then I will have to reuse an old network bridge that unfortunately will not have the speed to stream 4K TV service.

What do you suggest to get the 3rd puck working other than the useless to me "Home APP"?

Hi aekdcktexas,

 

Thanks for getting back to us and for the added details.

 

A quick question: what is the color of the LED light on your third Google Wifi point?

 

Best,

Mel

Hi aekdcktexas,

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Mel

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi everyone,

Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.

Thanks,
Jeff

aekdcktexas
Community Member

Jeff and Jhonleanmel,  Thanks for your assistance.   My system is working, but the Home App shows two WiFi routers and a WiFi connection that I hope will not result in any unexpected difficulties.

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey aekdcktexas,

 

I'm happy to hear you've got things working well, but that sounds odd with the Home app. Is there a way you can share a screenshot of those devices showing? Let's get things displaying the right way for you.


Thanks,

Jeff

aekdcktexas
Community Member

Jeff, I do appreciate your interest in my Google Home App showing two Mesh Routers. I just took a screenshot showing two routers, but I got this message  "You do not have permission to upload images."  The system seems to work, so maybe best to not spend more time on it. Regards, aekdcktexas 

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi aekdcktexas,

 

Sorry about the image permissions. I'm not sure what's happening there. With everything working, I understand your hesitancy to poke around too much. If you're ok marking this as resolved for now, I could do that, but you would definitely be welcome to open up a new thread at any point if you felt like revisiting the issue.

 

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi again aekdcktexas,

 

I'm just checking in again to see what your thoughts were on keeping the thread open or not. If you wanted to keep it open, just let me know.

 

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi everyone,

Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.

Thanks,
Jeff