Impossible to connect home devices w/out a way to turn off 5ghz

[aaronb2022]

I bought 20 smart lightbulbs that can only connect at 2.4gz.  But to set them up, my android phone must be connected to the same 2.4 ghz network.  With Android 12, there's no longer a way to force the phone to connect to Nest's 2.4 ghz network--it always connects at 5gz.  And the Nest wifi app doesn't let me temporarily disable the 5gz network, nor temporary use a different ssid.  I just need my phone to connect to the 2.4 ghz network so I can setup these light bulbs.  But in the Android forums, they say the solution is to change this setting with the nest router.  But here in the Nest router forums, google's response is that there's no need to disable 5ghz or set a different ssid because 2.4 ghz devices will still connect.  YES, TRUE, but how do you setup the 2.4 ghz device when the android phone has to be on the same 2.4 ghz network?

[olavrb]

What lightbulbs specifically? It's up to the manufacturer to support standard Wi-Fi features, like support for combined 5ghz and 2.4ghz in one SSID.

A jank workaround I've heard about is using an old device that only supports 2.4ghz and can run whatever app/ program is needed for pairing the IoT devices in question.

Another workaround is to reuse an old router, repeater, or get a cheap access point, to broadcast a 2.4ghz only SSID.

[AlanBoy]

@aaronb2022 I recommend that you use a second smartphone and set up a WiFi hotspot with the same SSID and password as your Nest Wifi (after disabling the Nest Wifi). Connect to it with your first phone and set up your lightbulbs for this WiFi hotspot and the configuration should work fine when you re-activate the Nest.

Alternatively, you can just activate the main Nest router and go to the furtherst point in your house or garden and hope that it switches to 2.4, but this can be a bit annoying to do.

Hope this helps!

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey folks,

@AlanBoy and @olavrb, thanks for the helpful responses.

@aaronb2022, I hope you've got the answer you're looking for. If you're still in need of any assistance, feel free to let us know.

Best,
Mel

[awwbaker]

Its hard to believe this problem is not solvable without drama.... 

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi awwbaker,

Thanks for posting. Have you had the chance to try the suggested step above? If so, how was it?

Best,

Mel

[awwbaker]

I certainly appreciate the work around suggestions.  The two works around I am aware of seem less than repeatable. 

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi awwbaker,

Thanks for getting back to us. I hope you've got the answer you're looking for. If you're still in need of any assistance, feel free to let us know.

Best,
Mel

[Princesss]

Hello there,

We just want to check if you have seen our response posted above. Let us know if you have additional questions, otherwise we'll be locking the thread.
 

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi there,

Due to inactivity, I'll go ahead and lock this thread in 24 hours. Feel free to start a new thread if you need assistance with your Google Wifi and we'd be glad to assist you further.
 

Best,

Princess