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how to connect google mesh to old 2.4 ghz devices such as security cameras

ryan2022
Community Member

how to connect google mesh to old 2.4 ghz devices such as security cameras

1 Recommended Answer

olavrb
Platinum Product Expert
Platinum Product Expert

Google Wifi, Nest Wifi and Nest Wifi Pro combines all bands into one single SSID, and there are no settings available to us to change that. Thus you can't set SSIDs per band (2.4ghz for instance). More about that here:
https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6293481?hl=en

Things to make sure, before trying various workarounds:

• Make sure that the IoT device(s) in question supports the amount and type of characters used in your chosen network name (SSID) and password; some might have limitations here. In general avoid anything but a-z in the network name. I've heard of devices not supporting whitespace in network name (SSID) or password for instance.
• Some IoT devices have alternative set up procedures if the regular way does not work, which could help.

Workarounds that might work:

• Use an old iOS, iPadOS or Android device that only supports 2.4ghz to set up the IoT device.
• Buy a cheap access point or repurpose a wireless router or range extender to broadcast a 2.4ghz only SSID with a different name than your Nest Wifi network name. Connect it by ethernet cable to the primary/ main/ master Nest Wifi puck preferably. Add more ethernet ports by using an unmanaged switch if need be ( https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274262?hl=en ). Make sure this additional Wi-Fi broadcastong device works as an access point only, else you might not be able to connect to the device in question from a device connected yo your Nest Wifi network.
• Walk far enough from the Nest Wifi puck(s) to make sure your phone/ whatever device used for setting up the device in question connects to the 2.4ghz network, then start setting up the device.
• Turn off your Nest Wifi network by removing the power. Feed your laptop (Windows or Mac) an internet connection, either by ethernet cable from your modem, or by mobile network tethering + USB. Then use your laptop to host a 2.4ghz only Wi-Fi with the same network name (SSID) and password as your Nest Wifi network. Get your IoT devices connected to it. Remove the Wi-Fi hosted by your laptop, plug in Nest Wifi, and the IoT devices should jump to the Wi-Fi provided by Nest Wifi.


I don't work for Google.

View Recommended Answer in original post

7 REPLIES 7

olavrb
Platinum Product Expert
Platinum Product Expert

Google Wifi, Nest Wifi and Nest Wifi Pro combines all bands into one single SSID, and there are no settings available to us to change that. Thus you can't set SSIDs per band (2.4ghz for instance). More about that here:
https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6293481?hl=en

Things to make sure, before trying various workarounds:

• Make sure that the IoT device(s) in question supports the amount and type of characters used in your chosen network name (SSID) and password; some might have limitations here. In general avoid anything but a-z in the network name. I've heard of devices not supporting whitespace in network name (SSID) or password for instance.
• Some IoT devices have alternative set up procedures if the regular way does not work, which could help.

Workarounds that might work:

• Use an old iOS, iPadOS or Android device that only supports 2.4ghz to set up the IoT device.
• Buy a cheap access point or repurpose a wireless router or range extender to broadcast a 2.4ghz only SSID with a different name than your Nest Wifi network name. Connect it by ethernet cable to the primary/ main/ master Nest Wifi puck preferably. Add more ethernet ports by using an unmanaged switch if need be ( https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274262?hl=en ). Make sure this additional Wi-Fi broadcastong device works as an access point only, else you might not be able to connect to the device in question from a device connected yo your Nest Wifi network.
• Walk far enough from the Nest Wifi puck(s) to make sure your phone/ whatever device used for setting up the device in question connects to the 2.4ghz network, then start setting up the device.
• Turn off your Nest Wifi network by removing the power. Feed your laptop (Windows or Mac) an internet connection, either by ethernet cable from your modem, or by mobile network tethering + USB. Then use your laptop to host a 2.4ghz only Wi-Fi with the same network name (SSID) and password as your Nest Wifi network. Get your IoT devices connected to it. Remove the Wi-Fi hosted by your laptop, plug in Nest Wifi, and the IoT devices should jump to the Wi-Fi provided by Nest Wifi.


I don't work for Google.

ryan2022
Community Member

I tried using a range extender directly connected to the google wifi and generating at 2.4 ghz.. Still the heath zenith camera does not pair with the phone. Heath zenith does not respond to calls for tech support and the ball is in their court. Waiting  for their response.

 

AbigailF
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi ryan2022,

The Google Wifi point(s) uses the same name for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band networks. This means that the Wi-Fi network uses both radio bands. But keep in mind: while both bands can be used, the personal devices (a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.) will connect to only one radio band at any given time. Nest Wifi, Google Wifi, or OnHub attempts to select the band that will deliver the best performance for your device. Currently there is no option to manually disable either of the bands or to connect to them separately.

Give these steps a whirl:

Create a hotspot with a mobile phone. However, 2 mobile phones are required:

Use the first device to create a hotspot (mobile phone).
How to set up a mobile hotspot:
Android
Go to Settings.
Tap the Network & internet option.
Select Hotspot & tethering.
Tap on Wi-Fi hotspot.
Set up the hotspot name and password the same as the primary network.
Choose the AP Band > 2.4 GHz band > Apply.

iOS:
Go to Settings.
Tap on Cellular. Tap the slider to turn Cellular Data on.
Under Cellular, tap the slider to turn Personal Hotspot on.
Tap the slider next to Allow Others to Join.
Set up the hotspot name password the same as the primary network.
To change the hotspot password, under Personal Hotspot Wi-Fi Password.
To change the hotspot name, go to Settings > General > About > Name.

Use the second device to connect to the mobile hotspot.
Disconnect all of the Google Wifi or Nest Wifi points from the power outlet.
Connect the device to the 2.4 GHz band of the hotspot with the same SSID and password of the current network (case sensitive).
Once connected to the hotspot, plug in your primary Google Wifi point or the Nest Wifi router.
Turn off the hotspot and check if the device automatically connects to the Google Wifi network.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,
Abi

AbigailF
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey ryan2022,

Chiming in to see if you still need assistance with this. Hope the previous post helped. Let us know if you have additional questions ― we'd love to help.

Cheers,
Abi

AbigailF
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hello ryan2022,

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, 
Abi

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Thanks, olavrb! That's a fantastic reply with tons of good info.

 

Hi ryan2022,

I just wanted to jump in real fast to see if you saw olavrb's reply and to see if you still needed some help on this or if you were able to get it sorted out. If you are still needing some help, just let us know and we'll be happy to continue helping.

Thanks,
Jeff

AbigailF
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey ryan2022,

We’d like to check in again in case you have any further questions or concerns. Feel free to reply to this thread and we’ll help you out.

Best, 
Abi