Can't get nest mini to connect - my phone isn't supported on device utility

[Kesepton]

I am trying to connect these to my home app. Says I need to use device utility to connect the mini to Wi-Fi. When I go to download the app, it says it isn't supported on my phone because it's made for an older android. 

What can I do here?

[anneandss]

I don't have access to another phone running an older version of the Android OS. Is there any other workaround?

[Techmechanik]

Is this ever going to be resolved?

[markearth]

Same issue - Pixel 8, Android 15

[etumanov]

Same issue, @GoogleNestTeam is there any chance the Device Utility app will work on the new Android phones this week?

[Pescador]

Trying to set up a nest mini and I'm getting the same issue: requires Device Utility app, but my phone (Pixel 7, Android 15) is listed as not compatible with the app

[SharonB54]

Did you find a way round it. I have a Pixel 7Pro Android 15.   I'm also guessing this might be why I can't reconnect my older model Google Home. 

[Wellesbournered]

If you sideload the Device Utility APK this should overcome the issue. 

Download the Device Utility APK from APKPure. Allow unknown sources on your phone. Install APK

[sep23948]

This doesn't work it doesn't recognise my WiFi

[Vikchop]

Why are you pushing these devices when it's not compatible with your own flagship phones? Terrible experience!

[Thomas14]

Same issue here. You keep selling devices that people won't be able to use, not even a warning banner in your store. This is borderline dishonest to keep customers misinformed... Please at least share an ETA for a fix. Or should we get a very old and insecure smartphone to be able to use Nest products?

[OB12]

Same problem - do not have a device with an older version of Android in order to use the Device Utility app. My Nest Mini just repeats over and over (in Japanese for some reason) to download the Home app, but the Home app warns that extra steps are required to activate (which is not possible with this device). Will return.

[Wellesbournered]

I sideloaded the Device Utility from an APK and it worked. I've got Pixel 8 pro phone running Android 15.

[Xavier3]

Thank you so much this works!

[Rastrick]

Stuck in the same situation! When can we expect a fix?!

[Frankie4]

There is a really good sale on Amazon for Alexa products right now. They have bundles that include smart light bulbs.I'm replacing my 5 Google nest minis and getting 3 smart light bulbs for $100. 

[Takoyaki_uwu]

Appreciate this thank you. I heard froma. Friend they have better support 

[Georgie2]

To be fair, the above two posters make a good point.

Really disappointed that there hasn't been an update on this for three weeks  from Google Nest Team 😕

Just gonna leave this, incase it's helpful for anyone who wants a smart speaker that works with their Google phone

https://www.amazon.co.uk/echo-dot-2022/dp/B09B96TG33 

[Thomas14]

I have a ticket opened for nearly 3 weeks now, and support can't provide any explanation or ETA of resolution. I'm now asking for a refund as they sold me something completely unusable, but they keep stalling. This is infuriating 😡 Think twice if you consider buying Nest products or subscription...

[Wellesbournered]

The weird thng is that I bought ah and new Google Nest Audio plugged it in and it worked fine.

I reset my old  Google assistant speaker to relocate it and now I can't get it to work I should have just moved it and renamed it.

Let's hope Google resolve this quickly.

[Wellesbournered]

I managed to connect by sideloading the Device Utility via an APK and it worked..!!

[bugbite77]

Any updates on this?!

[Wellesbournered]

Id recommend sideloading a Device Utilty APK. Worked for me.

[Sarahb4321]

Hey! I have a 2nd hand 3rd gen chromecast and im having trouble connecting and activating it. It's model NC2 6A5. This will be the 1st time I personally use it. I think ive tried all the troubleshooting suggestions on google but i keep running into roadblocks. Wondering if someone here can maybe help or just tell me if its even possible to connect. I've factory reset the chromecast. I've unplugged and plugged my router. My google home app says "Chromecast found but it needs to be activated before setup". In order to do that i need the Device Utility app which won't work on my phone cuz my phone is too new. Ive also tried connecting directly to the chromecast's SSID but it keeps saying no internet access. Can anything else be done or i do i just get rid of it? Thanks in advance!

[Wellesbournered]

Try sideloading the Device Utility APK to your phone. That worked from me.

[SheAll]

Same issue and this is a Christmas gift. I'm sure there will be many others who receive this device for Christmas despite the fact that Google hasn't figured out how to make it work with its own phone system. Let the returns begin!

[Takoyaki_uwu]

Honestly I returned mine already, I got a Amazon echo ordered. The lack of communication on this issue is horrible as this has been a known issue. I hate lack of communication in customer service and I've also ordered a new phone and swapping away from my pixel because I'm worried if I have a issue this same situation will repeat.

[eduardo13]

This is an absolute joke... How can you sell a google product, that can't be setup using a google phone? And Why the hell would I keep older phones? I only have one. This is so much garbage.

[duanetheriot]

Same issue here. It seems insane that I can't set up the new Nest Mini I got for Christmas with my Pixel phone. I have no other phones available to set this up with.

[TheWood47]

Got a new mini for Christmas and can't add to Home. Can't find the Utility Device APK app that others have suggested as a work around. Disappointed this hasn't been fixed yet...

[Wellesbournered]

Search for APK Pure Device Utility 

[Jonno_Maude]

I have a Chromecast Audio that Google Home is able to recognise is close by. But that in order to proceed in setting it up I will need to download the device utility app in order to activate the device for setup.. I've copied that text below I'm italics 

Google Home app message: Device needs to be activated before setup

You may get this message in the Google Home app when you try to set up a device that hasn’t been connected to Wi-Fi for some time (or ever). 

To set up this device, you first need to use the Device Utility app.

Note: If your device has Google TV or Android TV, you can use the setup flow on your TV to activate your device.

Activate your device for setup

Download the Device Utility app from the Google Play Store.

This real issue comes in that when I select the link to the Device Utility app from the Google store it notifies me that the app was written for an older version of Google and so I won't be able to download it.. I have a pixel 8 pro and its seeming as though I won't be able to get this Chromecast Audio working.  I really hope to be able to get this working so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated 

[Wellesbournered]

Download the Device Utility APK from APK Pure. Sideload it (you need to allow unknown apps in Settings). This should install the device utility app. I have a Pixel 8 Pro and it worked for me.

[Jonno_Maude]

Hey that worked a treat.. I downloaded the wrong app at first but when I realised I needed to download it from their website not app store I figured it out.

Thank you so much for your help

[Flavabean]

I'm running into the same issue, it says device utility app is not available as it's made for an older version of Android and im using a pixel 7. 

I have 2 Google minis which are useless rn, Google team should send us replacement products to make this work. 

[gems]

@GoogleNestTeam What is happening; where is the update?! I purposefully bought a Google Nest Mini 2nd Generation to go with my Pixel phone, after years of loyalty to Google phones and naturally assuming that the Google ecosystem exists to benefit consumers! It is absurd that this issue exists in the first place and both weeks before and after Christmas and Chanukah. Google as a major tech company owes it to consumers to address this issue and communicate to the many of us who are waiting for an update before throwing in the towel on Google products entirely. I'm in disbelief that a secondary Google app deemed necessary to go with the first Google app deemed necessary for a Google product to function at all does not work on a flipping Google Pixel! Not only is a solution overdue, it's ridiculous that almost TWO MONTHS have passed without anything from your end. Loyal Google consumers should never have to resort to reverting back to iPhone or going the sketchy EPK route to make Google products work! I've gone months without a speaker in my bathroom to save up and reward myself getting a Google speaker not a $15 wireless speaker... I'm not prepared to go months more or risk my data being stolen and devices corrupted, yet it already feels like the latter has happened from how it is currently a brick. 

Again, what is happening?! Should I toss my newly unboxed Google Nest Mini 2 that I was so looking forward to into a landfill? Waiting for response [this website also doesn't bring up any results when typing in the Associated Products box but I'm no longer surprised just profoundly disappointed in Google who claimed to be able to compete with other tech ecosystems.]

[Georgemck]

Hey, admin, can we have an update. 3 months is too long.

[Wellesbournered]

I'm posting my solution again.

Download the Device Utility APK from APK Pure website. Sideload it (you need to allow unknown apps in Settings). This should install the device utility app. I have a Pixel 8 Pro and it worked for me.

[Georgemck]

Sigh. I'm an 81 year old senior and have no idea what side loading is.

[Jaimison]

Any update?? Kind of ridiculous that you're selling gear to people that can't use it on a phone me that you also sell

[N-Crowd]

Me Too!
I just posted the following message to support and hope something is done about this issue soon.

I can't run Device Utility on my Pixel 7 -- so I can not install or connect to Google Nest speakers

- Device Utility App will not install on my phone - as the play store tells me that it is only available to run on older systems.

I'm using a Pixel 7 and have Android 15 running.

Many people seem to have this same issue, and have for some time. It appears Google is just to incompetent to fix this very serious issue. It should be a no-brainer that a company with millions of customers and hundreds of thousands of users for this type of product would make this a priority but it seems like NOT!!!

I just bought six of these Nest speakers. Should I just return them to the store?? 

They are currently just very expensive Bricks at this point, and I'm very disappointed that Google would not have proper management in place to ensure this type of thing would not happen, or if it does then at least have it fixed in a reasonable period of time.

I already returned another brand's smart speaker for the same reason several months ago and expected that this issue would be fixed, or It would at least work with Google Speakers!

I wasted hours trying to figure out how this could work, and then more time still talking to the tech support that said it was a known issue and they could not help me.

I’ve read that you can use a APK package to install a different version, but have also read that many users has serious issues because of this fix, and it seems ridiculous that Google could not fix this issue directly in short order.