Missing Feature: Schedule Device Activation via Google Assistant

[Grothlor]

I’ve noticed that the feature to start a device at a specific time or after a delay using Google Assistant seems to have been removed or is no longer working reliably.

Previously, I could use commands like:

“Hey Google, start lights in ten minutes” (both in English and Swedish)
“Hey Google, activate air conditioner at 12:00” (both in English and Swedish)

Now, they don’t work at all in Swedish and only sporadically in English. The issue seems especially prevalent on Google Nest devices, they often respond with “that device has not been set up,” even though everything is configured correctly.

I’ve done a full reset of all devices and re-added them, but the problem persists.

Interestingly, the commands still work on Android phones, but only with a different phrasing. For example:

“Hey Google, lights in ten minutes start” (Am I expected to speak like Yoda)
This phrasing works in both Swedish and Norwegian, but not on Google Nest, Nest Mini, or Nest Hub.
Is this a known issue? Are there any plans to reintroduce the original functionality? As it stands now, my Nest devices are nearly unusable for scheduled automation.

Any insights or updates!

[sicsacol]

Hi @Grothlor,

Thanks for posting in the community. I understand that the feature to start a device at a specific time or after a delay using Google Assistant isn't working as expected on your Nest Speakers and Displays because you're getting an error that your device hasn't been set up, which prevents you from continuing. I appreciate your troubleshooting efforts and the detailed information shared. No worries, I'd be more than glad to assist you. To help with that, I have a few questions for you:

• How long did the device work as intended before you experienced this symptom?
• Is your Google Home app updated? 
• Can you find an entry in the Activity tab for the routine running?
• What's your Nest Speakers and Displays firmware version? Please visit the next article to find your device's firmware version.

Please let me know the answer to these questions.

Regards,
Jonathan 

[Grothlor]

How long did the device work as intended before you experienced this symptom?
All my devices , Nest, Nest Hub, and Nest Mini have worked since I bought them (2-3years ago), along with all my other devices such as thermostats, relays, lights, and more. Commands such as time-based actions, changing heating/cooling/temperature, questions like 'What is the air conditioner set to?', 'Is the kitchen light on?', etc. — none of these are working now

This used to work before:
Command: "Hey Google, start lamp at 10:00"
Google Assistant responds: "I will activate lamp at 10:00"
Command: "Hey Google, start lamp after/in 10 minutes"
Google Assistant responds: "I will activate lamp at [time]"

Commands like these no longer work. Additionally, I’m experiencing other strange issues with my Nest devices.
When I speak Swedish to the Nest Mini, it often responds in English with: "Looks like that device isn't configured."

It doesn’t matter whether I have Swedish, English, or both languages activated in the Assistant.

• Is your Google Home app updated?
  Yes, latest version.
• Can you find an entry in the Activity tab for the routine running?
  Yes, but the timestamp is incorrect. Instead of GMT+1, it shows GMT-3 for all timestamps.

The time zone and time are correctly set on my phone (Samsung S24). Also, my voice command was to start the lamp in 10 minutes (15:29), but the Assistant started it immediately(15:19) Entry in the log is 12:19

• What's your Nest Speakers and Displays firmware version?
  Nest Mini – System version: 468348, Cast: 3.75.468348
  Nest – System version: 476451, Cast: 3.75.476451
  Nest Hub – System version: 27.20250422.103.3600, Cast: 3.77.487224

I should also mention that I tested switching to Gemini, and then all commands in Swedish worked on the phone (Android Samsung S24) even time-based commands. However, time-based commands still do not work on nest devices

I have performed a hard reset on the phone, all Nest devices, and also a hard reset on all devices in Google Home

[sicsacol]

HI @Grothlor,

Thanks for your reply and for the detailed information you shared. To be on the same page, please confirm the following:

• Was this routine created using the Google Home app or a third-party app?
• Did you check the settings of your home automation?
• Did you add the Swedish language to your Google Assistant settings?
• Did you try unlinking and then relinking your smart devices to the Google Home app?
• Are your smart devices added to the same home structure as your Google speakers and displays?

Any additional details you can provide will be helpful.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[Grothlor]

• Was this routine created using the Google Home app or a third-party app?
  There is no routines at all, just voice commands.
  
  
• Did you check the settings of your home automation?
  Yes. Like 200 times 😉
  
  
• Did you add the Swedish language to your Google Assistant settings?
  Yes, added, removed, complete reset of all devices including all Nest units event switched to a new phone.
  
  
• Did you try unlinking and then relinking your smart devices to the Google Home app?
  Yes, like a lot of times,
  
  
• Are your smart devices added to the same home structure as your Google speakers and displays?
  Yes. Even deleted the current home, removed all devices, removed and did a hard reset on all Nest units. Created a new home, added the devices and nest unit’s Same result
  
  As said, It works if Im using my phone with Google Assistant or Gemini. The problem is when using Nest, Nest mini or Nest Hub

[sicsacol]

Hi @Grothlor,

Thanks for your update. 

Since you've already tried several troubleshooting steps without success, the team would like to learn more about this behavior. When you get a chance, please fill out this form and let us know when you’re finished. We’ll have someone reach out to you via email from there. Please be sure to include your community username and the link to this thread.

Sincerely,
Jonathan

[sicsacol]

Hi @Grothlor,

I haven't seen your form submission yet. Were you able to access the form without any problems? Let me know if you're running into any trouble or still need help.

Cheers,
Jonathan

[Grothlor]

I don't think my error report is necessary, right?
As Google acknowledged the issue and began rolling out a fix in late July 2025. However, some users may still experience lingering problems, such as:

• Device disconnections and delayed responses
  Reports include devices disconnecting from the Google Home app, delayed or ignored voice responses, and issues with automation routines. A Google executive publicly apologized and promised major improvements by fall 2025.

But of course, I can still submit my error report if it adds any value.