How to stop Home Max from making calls when using assistant.

[PCSL]

I am in a pickle.  When I am at my home and I want to make a phone call using Google Assistant the Nest Max Display always reacts faster then my PIxel phone, basically controlling the call.  It would not be an issue if it were not for the following of which I have not found a work around.  1) when the Max and or Mini units make a call there is no caller ID broadcast so the person receiving the call has no idea I am calling and generally treats the call as spam. 2) When a call does go through on the home system, there is no way to transfer the call to my Pixel phone if let's say I am going outside on the property, or leaving the property.  So the question which I cannot seem to find an answer to is this.

How do I stop the Max/Mini units from dominating Google Assistant when I use that voice command in my home and I just want my phone to be the connecting point?

Cheers.

[alejandom]

Hi @PCSL,

First I would like to thank you for posting on our community page, on the other hand I apologize for the inconvenience that you are having. Let me tell you some troubleshooting steps that you can try to fix the problem.

There isn't a direct way to completely disable Google Assistant on Nest Mini or Max speakers using just the voice command "Hey Google." However, here are some strategies you can use to prioritize your phone as the Assistant response device:

1. Change Assistant Activation for Nest Devices:

You can adjust the Assistant activation settings for your Nest Mini and Max speakers to make them less responsive to the hotword "Hey Google." Here's how:

• Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet.
• Tap the device icon for your Nest Mini or Max speaker.
• Go to Settings > "Hey Google" sensitivity.
• Adjust the slider to make the device less sensitive to the hotword. This will make it less likely to activate compared to your phone which is likely closer to you.

2. Turn off Assistant on Specific Speakers (Temporarily):

If you only need your phone as the Assistant for a short time, you can temporarily disable the microphone on your Nest Mini or Max speakers. Here's how:

• Open the Google Home app on your phone or tablet.
• Tap the device icon for your Nest Mini or Max speaker.
• Toggle the microphone switch "off." Remember to turn it back on when you want to use Assistant with your speakers again.

3. Bluetooth Connectivity (Android Only):

• This method only applies to Android phones. If your phone is connected to your Nest Mini or Max speaker via Bluetooth, it might prioritize the speaker as the Assistant endpoint. Try turning off Bluetooth on your phone when you specifically want to use Assistant on the phone itself.

4. Voice Matching (Limited Availability):

• Google Assistant is slowly rolling out a feature called "Voice Match" that allows it to recognize specific voices. With this feature enabled, Assistant can potentially distinguish between your voice and others in the house. This might help prioritize your phone's Assistant response if you're the only one using the voice command. However, Voice Match is not yet available in all regions.

5. Use a Different Wake Word:

You can choose a different wake word like "Hey Google," "Ok Google," or "Assistant" for your phone's Assistant. This can help differentiate between activating Assistant on your phone and the Nest speakers. Here's how to change the wake word:

• Open the Google Assistant app on your phone.
• Go to Settings > Assistant preferences > "Hey Google."
• Choose a different wake word from the available options.

Regards,

Mario.