"Hey Google" turns on both my nest and nest mini.

[KEW]

We just bought a Nest and a Nest Mini. When we give a command, with "Hey Google," both devices respond. How can we set it up so that only one responds (the one we're near)? I've turned down the sensitivity on both to the lowest possible level (-2).

[Aiden1]

This is happening to me too after factory resetting all my speakers.  I have 5 within range of one another that are responding exactly the way you're describing.  They're ignoring the sensitivity settings just like yours are.  They used to work just fine so I am inclined to believe it's something wrong on Google's side that needs to be fixed.  You could try factory resetting them.  I've heard some people had success with that.  It's not a guarantee though because some did that and the problem stuck around.  Like mine started doing it after a factory reset.  They were fine before.  Just my thoughts.  I feel your frustrations.  Hopefully Google will get it sorted if enough of us speak up.  Have you opened a support case?  I know that's a pain to try and do but it could be worth trying.

[KEW]

Thanks, Aiden1. We just tried whispering "Hey Google" to each unit, with a TV on to provide "background noise," and the units worked okay. I wonder if it's simply that they "hear" too well, and when they're close, they both hear "Hey Google" when spoken in a normal voice. It seems to me that the solution should be to allow users to change the command for each unit (e.g., to "Hey, Shirley" for one unit and "Hey, Ralphie" for another). My son said you can do that with Alexa. Apparently it isn't possible with our system.

[Aiden1]

I would suggest checking out this thread.  We are by far not the only ones with this issue.  

It's not your environment.  I was having to whisper just inches from the intended device and sometimes the speaker 12 feet away will still pick it up.  That's not intended behavior.  

These devices are supposed to negotiate with each other and decide which will respond, never respond by talking over one another.  Getting a response on an "unintended" or wrong speaker?  Sure, that's a thing, but multiple speakers?  The software should be preventing that and it isn't.  That's a bug.  The sensitivity settings merely adjusts which speaker would respond to an inquiry or command, but under no circumstances should they be answering at once unless there's a glitch in the system.  What normally happens is s mic might open for a fraction of a second on a device, realize you're not talking to that speaker/display and then close itself.  It shouldn't continue on all speakers.  On displays you should see the message across the top "answered on another device".  You should also see the this message on Android phones.  I don't have an iPhone so I don't know if it pops up there as well.  

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Multiple-devices-responding-at-the-same...

[Aiden1]

I added the details about it to an open support ticket I already have open with Google(for another issue) because it's being escalated to their tier 2 support. I can let them know about this thread when they email me back to ask for more details. They asked me to let them know if anything else cropped up that they need to look at and judging from the number of us who have this problem, I'd say this qualifies. When I hear back, I'll update with what they've advised. 

Hopefully I can get to this question thread with an update soon.  

[Aiden1]

I just installed an update to the Google app on my phone and the behavior seems to be slowly working itself out.    Sometimes the wrong device responds but the chorus of responses has stopped.  I've tested with and without background noise.  Start checking for any app updates.  Just as a sidenote though, I am running the beta version of the Google app.  

[Azarco]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for visiting the Community. 

Since this thread hasn't had activity in a while, we're going to close it to keep content fresh.

We hope you were able to get the help you need. If you still need assistance with your Nest speakers, feel free to submit another post and provide as many details as possible so that others can lend a hand.

Best,
Alex