Can't add Home Mini to Home app: Your Home Mini was setup successfully but can't be found

[Joe347823]

I was trying to add a Google Home Mini (1st gen) to devices in the Google Home app (v3.26.1.3) running on a Google Pixel 7 Pro. After the device connects to my wifi I always get the message:

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Connect to same Wi-Fi

Your Google Home Mini was setup successfully but can't be found. Make sure your mobile device and Google Home Mini are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Turn off AP isolation

If AP isolation is enabled on your WiiFi router, you will need to disable it. Learn more here.

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I am tech savvy so I have tried multiple things before coming here for help. I can confirm my phone and Google Home Mini are connected to the same wifi network, same 2.4Ghz band, and AP isolation is disabled. I could see the Google Home Mini connected to wifi under my router's devices page, so the Home Mini does connect to wifi, the Home app on my phone just keeps giving me the above message.

I factory reset the Mini multiple times, I'm not using a VPN, my phone is using the device MAC and not a randomized MAC, I'm using latest Android and security updates on my phone, the Home app is the latest version according to the phone's Play Store.

I googled for this problem naturally and found others who ran into the same problem. Someone suggested trying an older version of the Google Home app and a couple of other people reported that was the only thing that fixed it for them so it seems the Home app version is the source of this problem for some people. 

To anyone encountering this in the future, rolling back my Google Home worked. I had version 2.28.1.9 installed on my old phone and it worked like a charm. (Shouldn't matter, but it was on Android 8 and I had to enable all permissions ahead of time to complete the setup)

Linking to the reddit post isn't allowed but you can find it at the first hit if you google: "source:reddit.com your nest mini was set up successfully but can't be found"

I rather not install software from unknown sources so I haven't tried that suggestion but I suspect that's it as I've exhausted everything else on my end.  Can you issue a bug report for this? Thanks.

[ByronP]

Hi Joe347823,

Thank you for reaching out to the community. I’m sorry that you’re experiencing troubles with your Nest Mini setup and that the Google Home app can’t be found. I understand how frustrating this can be. I really appreciate all the troubleshooting steps you've already taken. Let’s work together to find a solution.

For further assistance, I need to ask a few questions:

• Has the Nest Mini 1st gen been previously set up?
• How long did the Nest Mini 1st Gen work as intended before the situation started?
• Has the Nest Mini 1st gen been connected to this network before?
• Where is the Nest Mini 1st Gen placed?
• How far is the Nest Mini 1st Gen from the Wi-Fi router?
• Are there any other networking devices on the network aside from the wireless router, such as an extender, repeater, or another access point? 
• What is the make and model of your router?
• Do you have a standard home Wi-Fi network or a business network that has a private setting?

In the meantime, please try the following suggested steps:

Set up a temporary mobile Wi-Fi hotspot:

1. In order to determine whether the situation is with your Nest Mini 1st gen or your Wi-Fi settings, please set up a temporary mobile Wi-Fi hotspot (also known as Wi-Fi tethering).
2. Once the mobile hotspot is turned on, set up the device and connect to the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

Let me know how it goes and keep me posted. I look forward to your response.

Regards,

Byron

[Joe347823 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the reply. The problem wasn't being able to connect the Wi-Fi as the Mini was a couple feet away from the router. BTW using the phone's mobile Wi-Fi hotspot couldn't work in my case as I'm setting up the Mini using that same phone. The setup process requires the phone connect to the same Wi-Fi  as the Mini will use, my Google Pixel 7 Pro can't connect to the same Wi-Fi hotspot network its broadcasting.

The good news is the Mini does work now. Perhaps an update to the Google Home app fixed it as I just tried the exact same procedure I did before but using the latest version of the Home app (v3.27.1.6) for my Google Pixel and the Mini was detected properly on the very first try. So this case can be considered solved. Thanks.

[ByronP]

Hi Joe347823,

Thank you for your response. I'm glad that it was resolved after the update.

Don't hesitate to reach out to the community if you need further assistance.

Regards,

Byron