Update: The issue has resolved itself! I'm not sure how. For future reference to others, here's a dump of my thoughts and of what happened:
- TL;DR: I believe the device was managed by an elderly living community. They must have removed the device management, which now allows the Nest Hub Max to operate normally rather than be limited to being a picture frame and offer translation services.
More details/thoughts:
- The Google Nest Home Max can be deployed using Smart Device Management (SDM). This can be used to restrict some functionality, including preventing the device from being reset using the typical methods.
- When the device is being managed, its functionality was very limited — in my case, only translation services were available. There was no way to restore full functionality. I tried holding up+down to reset (did not work); hold up+down while plugging in (led to the "Complete Setup" screen); unplugging 10 times in a row (did not work).
- When the device was stuck on the "Complete Setup" screen, I was actually still able to connect to it through a different phone logged into the Google Home app. I'm not sure why. But connecting to it forced it past the "Complete Setup" screen and back to the usual but limited Home Screen.
- However, probably because the device was managed/deployed by a retirement home, its functionality was limited: It could only act as a translator and some Google Assistant commands worked, but not others. (e.g. it would refuse to play YouTube videos or open Netflix.) In addition, it could not be reset.
- Every morning, the device would show a message: "Welcome to your Hotel" with a tutorial of what the Nest Hub Max could do. Which made me feel like I was on vacation, so that was nice.
- Given the very limited functionality, I mostly just used the Nest Hub as a picture frame and as a bluetooth speaker. Given I didn't pay that much for it, that was fine with me.
- After about five days, rather than showing that hotel tutorial, it showed the full Nest Hub Home Screen! And now all functionality works. If I hold volume up+down, it gives me the notice it's resetting. I did nothing to make this happen, but I'm obviously happy it all worked out.
