Cannot activate Nest Hub "It needs to be activated before setup"

[jsilvachgo]

So I just bought this new Google Nest Hub 2nd Generation. I already have the Google Home app on my phone and use it for a range of other products. When I try to activate the device, I get an error message "Nest Hub found. It needs to be activated before setup." There doesn't seem to be any way to actually set up the device. All it does is take me to a completely unhelpful help center article that says to use another, non-Pixel phone to finish setup. A) I don't have another phone laying around and B) What genius didn't check to make sure a Google product can't be activated on Google's current flagship phone? (I have a Pixel 6)

Update: I was able to get it activated using of all things an iPad. (Seriously?) I the end though, I returned it. 

[creader]

I'm having the same issue. Some have said something about a device utility, but that doesn't seem to exist on Google play anymore. 

[creader]

So, I had to download Google Home on my Ipad in order to activate and setup my Nest Hub Max. Hopefully the Software Engineer who missed that is no longer employed.

[IBEBrenda]

Unbelievable! Thank God I still have an old Ipad around. Wasted hours losing my mind. Many thanks to @creader  . This is true for Google Nest Point B2B0

[Maitre_James]

I am having the same problem with a new point and with speakers.  I don't have another phone, and android tv or anything else.  When will Google realize we want to be able to do things on weekends without having to search Knowledgebases and then find nothing.

[Azarco]

Hey everyone,

We're sorry for the trouble this has caused you.

If you haven't try and if possible, please use a different phone to set up your device.  Once it's set up, you can use your phone again in controlling it using the Google Home app. Let us know if you don't have an option or if you don't have any available device.

Best,

Alex

[jsilvachgo]

Oh, I was able to activate my Google Nest - with an iPad - because my Google phone wouldn't work and I don't actually have a pile of spare phones laying around.

[Azarco]

Hi jsilvachgo,

Appreciate your patience and time in updating us. Let us know if you have other questions or concerns. Also, I'll keep this thread open for other users to update us about their devices.

Regards,

Alex

[Princesss]

Hi Thorperson,

Chiming in to check if you still need help with this? Hope the previous post answered your question, otherwise I’ll be locking the thread.

Best,

Princess

[jsilvachgo]

I was able to activate it with an iPad but ended up returning it. Still recommend actually fixing the larger problem 

[Princesss]

Hi everyone, 

Thanks for responding.

We're sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused you. For the meantime, if there's a way that you can use a different device for set up, let's take advantage of that. I'll make sure to let the team know about this and I'll update this thread as soon as we have news to share.

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi everyone,

We just want to check if you have seen our response on the previous post? 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 speakers and we'd be glad to assist you further.
 

Best,

Princess

[mmb140]

no -- still a problem: setup via an iphone..then my pixel6a/Google Home sees the device but still can't 'cast'.

[mmb140]

my device is JBL Play list speaker (w. built-in chromecast). Casting a chromecast dongle (gen3) works fine. It's the JBL speaker that continues to have problems (BT connectivity works fine..frm my pixel 6a)

[Princesss]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for responding. Could you please provide the following info?

• What Google Nest speakers are you using?
• Country where you are located
• Make and model of the set up device
• Cast firmware version of your Google Nest speakers

Looking forward to your response.

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi everyone, 

Thanks for your response.

For those who are still experiencing the same, let's fill this info:

• What Google Nest speakers are you using?
• Country where you are located
• Make and model of the set up device
• Cast firmware version of your Google Nest speakers.

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi everyone,

Chiming in-- has anyone seen the last response I posted? For those who are still experiencing the same thing, please respond with all the needed info so I can forward it to the team.

Best,

Princess

[Bigsexy2469]

I finally dug out an old Motorola phone. It was able to make the desired adjustments with no problem.

[Princesss]

Hi Bigsexy2469,

Thanks for the update. Glad to know it worked.

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi Robb12088,

Thanks for responding. If you don't have other device to use, please fill this out:

• What Google Nest speakers are you using?
• Country where you are located
• Make and model of the set up device
• Cast firmware version of your Google Nest speakers.

Keep me posted.

Best,

Princess

[Otree18]

Hi Princess I have a Mini Nest Speaker 2nd Generation that's needs to be activated, however I only have Google Pixel 5g5a phone. My Google Home App is up-to-date. I live in the United States. Please Help!! This is extremely frustrating and a waste a money. Again please help! 

Thank you 

[Princesss]

Hi everyone, 

Chiming in to see if anyone still need help with this. Feel free to update this post, otherwise we'll be locking the thread.

Best,

Princess

[Muddi · Accepted solution]

Hey folks,

We appreciate all your feedback and we apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. Our team is already aware of this and we have posted an official discussion regarding this. Please feel free to add your comments on this thread.

Cheers,

Muddi

[Muddi]

Hey Otree18,

Sorry to hear about that. Have you checked the official thread about this issue? If not, please feel free to add your comments on this thread.

Cheers,

Muddi

[Muddi]

Hey everyone,

We understand how you feel, and we do apologize for all the inconvenience this has caused you. It is best to follow this thread to get some updates and steps that you can try to fix the issue.

Cheers,

Muddi

[SouthernTierPC]

Very disappointing that I can't use my GOOGLE pixel 5a to set up my GOOGLE Nest Hub.  Now I have to find someone to be able to use their non-GOOGLE phone to set up a GOOGLE device.  This should be very embarrassing  for GOOGLE.

[Azarco]

Hey SouthernTierPC,

We understand how frustrating this is for you. The additional app is needed to set up some devices that have older versions of system software. For many of those devices, it won’t be needed again after the device is connected and receives a software update. Once you set up your device using a different phone, you can now use your Pixel phone in navigating the Google Home app and controlling your devices.

Best,

Alex

[Robb12088]

I had to use an iPad to set up my "older" devices.  1 of them is a Lenovo Smart Clock Mini that I received during Christmas 2021.  (is that really "old"?)  The other device is 1st Gen Google Nest Hub that was lost during my move last year, but recently found it.  It was set up with my old wifi network, and since we upgraded to Google Nest Wifi this year, I had to factory reset it and then got the "this device needs to be activated" error.  

Having to use an Apple, Samsung, or other non-Google product to set up a Google product is ridiculous. Get your sh!t together, Google!

[Maitre_James]

Google Tech Support answered my question.  Apparently they updated the software.  As a result, one cannot use a Google phone to activate.  Thy asked me to use an I- phone.  I am not an Apple person.  As a result, I shipped my Nest Points back to the company and they will replace them with a version which works with non-Apple phones.   I know, this is very curious....

[Azarco]

Hey Maitre_James,

Thanks for that additional information. For most Google Nest devices you will only need to use the Device Utility app or a different phone to complete the initial setup, after which the device should receive an update. We appreciate your understanding.

Best,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hey all,

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 trouble from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,

Alex

[Tali202]

I don't have any other devices to setup my hub

[Princesss]

Hi Tali202,

Thanks for responding.

We'd be happy to take a look into this for you. Please fill up this form with all the needed information then let me know once done.

Best,

Princess

[Princesss]

Hi Tali202,

We've received your form-- thanks for filling that out. Please keep an eye on your email as someone from our team will reach out to you to assist you further.

Best,

Princess

[Auntiex10]

There's only one phone in my home (Google Pixel 4). I do not have any Apple products to try. Please advise how I can complete setup.

[Dus]

Hello,

I only have a Google Pixel phone to setup my Hub but it will not activate. Any suggestions?

[Bigsexy2469]

Return your Pixel phone. The Google Nest is a good setup and Pixel phones suck.

[Bgoodwin]

I don't have that option and would appreciate some help if possible 

[Robb12088]

What if you don't have another phone laying around?