cannot set up family wifi

[Reactionary]

I am trying to set up Family WiFi . The instructions say to open the Google Home app and "tap WiFi" then "Family WiFi." There is no "WiFi" anywhere to "tap." Some visuals would be helpful, but obviously too much to ask.

[olavrb]

It should look something like this:

But the Wi-Fi icon won't be there if there is no Nest Wifi network in your Google Home home.

If you're not able to manage Nest Wifi in your Google Home app, it means either that you're not logged into the Google Home app with the Google account that was used to set up the Nest Wifi network, or that you lost the ability to manage Nest Wifi in your Google Home home. The last can randomly happen.

To regain access to manage Nest Wifi with the Google account you are currenly logged in with in the Google Home app, you must factory reset each Nest Wifi unit using the physical button ( https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6246619?hl=en ), and set up the network from scratch ( https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9548301?hl=en ). Reuse the network name (SSID) and password so devices reconnect automagically.

[AbigailF]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for lending a hand, @olavrb.
@Reactionary, 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,
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hi Reactionary,

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

Best, 
Abi

[Reactionary]

Have not had an opportunity to try this yet because too many people need functional wifi too often. Must wait til everyone is out of the house.

It is almost certainly not "random" that I lost control of the wifi, but a result of being forced to migrate Google Wifi (which worked just fine) to the buggy Google Home.

[AbigailF]

Hello Reactionary,

Thanks for the update. We'll keep this thread open for a few days to give you time to update us. Let us know if you have any other questions or clarifications for now.

Regards,
Abi

[Reactionary]

OK, now I have control of the wifi, but why is there no setting for just blocking adult sites across the whole network?

[AbigailF]

Hey Reactionary,

You should be able to block adult websites using your Google Home app. First, you need to create a Family Wi-Fi group or label. Here are the steps after you’ve created a Family Wi-Fi group:

Open the Google Home app.

Tap Wi-Fi > Family Wi-Fi.
Below the name of the group that you would like to block, tap Edit.
Under “Restrict access,” turn on SafeSearch.
Tap Save.
 

Let us know how it goes. We’ll wait for your update.
 

Best,

Abi

[Reactionary]

That's a stupid system. Anyone can work around it by adding a new device to the network.

And how do I control the guest network? By definition, people log on and off to that with different devices not on the main network.

The system needs to be designed to allow control of the entire wifi network itself, not just the devices on it.

[olavrb]

You could look into setting a custom DNS for your Nest Wifi network that block adult sites.

How:

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274141?hl=en

Example of public DNS providers that provides such functionality:

• https://blog.cloudflare.com/introducing-1-1-1-1-for-families/

(^ Only found one when searching right now.)

---

Or control the devices themselves.

Both the Family Wi-Fi/ parantal control and the pausing functionality has been broken by design ever since MAC randomization became a thing years ago. More on MAC randomization from:

• Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/security/secb9cb3140c/web
• Google / Android: https://source.android.com/docs/core/connect/wifi-mac-randomization-behavior
• Microsoft Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ac58de34-35fc-31ff-c650-823fc48eb1bc

You should probably look at controlling access on a different level, for instance the device itself. With products like:

• Apple screen time: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/ipad/ipadb15cb886/ipados
• Google Family Link: https://families.google.com/familylink
• Microsoft Family Safety: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/family-safety

[Reactionary]

1.1.1.1 has no instructions for Google wifi. Why do you send me to such a site?

[olavrb]

I first sent you a guide on how to set custom DNS on Nest Wifi.

Then you have to choose some DNS to input, for instance Cloudflare.

[Reactionary]

None of those seem to work with Google WiFi. But here's one that does appear to work: OpenDNS. https://www.opendns.com/

Create an account.

Go to the settings tab. Your IP address should appear in the spaces under "Add a Network." Click the "Add a Network" button and name your network.

In the Google Home app on your phone, select WiFi. Select the Settings gear icon in the upper right of the screen. Select "Advanced Networking." Select "DNS." Select "Custom." Input this into "Primary Server:" 208.68.222.222. Input into "Secondary Server" 208.67.220.220. Select OK. 

Make sure you save these settings by tapping an icon in the upper right of the screen, which icon looks something like a floppy disc.

Download the DNS updater at https://dashboard.opendns.com/support/ and install on your computer.

Should be good to go.

[AbigailF]

Hey folks,

@olavrb, thank you for continuing to help out.
@Reactionary, it's me again. I'd like to know if you still need additional help. We'll be glad to assist you.

Thanks,
Abi

[Reactionary]

I think I've solved the problem by setting up an OpenDNS account in the Google Home app, as described above. Seems to be still working.

[AbigailF]

Hello Reactionary, 

Awesome — glad to hear that your issue is fixed. It looks like we can consider this one complete, so I will lock the thread shortly unless I can help out with anything else. 

Best, 
Abi