Setup problems using Android hotspot and Chromebook

[MikaH]

I have quite a lot of problems trying to setup Google TV Streamer for a matter/thread device.

Problem 1: The Matter panel is absent from the Google TV Streamer's setup panel.

Problem 2: When attempting to add the Matter device through the Home app on my Pixel phone, I receive "Set up your device" notification. However, upon scanning the device's QR code, the app displays the message "No Wi-Fi connection." Consequently, I am unable to add the device.

To troubleshoot the issue of adding the Matter device while using the Pixel hotspot, I performed the following steps:

- Suspecting that the issue may be related to using the Pixel phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, I uninstalled the Home app from the Pixel phone and reinstalled the Google TV Streamer.

- Subsequently, I used the Home app on my Chromebook (non-hotspot device).

Problem 3: Upon attempting to add the device through the Home app on my Chromebook, I did not receive "Set up your device" notification, although notifications were enabled. However, my Pixel phone received the notification, even though I had uninstalled the Home app from the Pixel phone.

In the Chromebook Home app, I attempted to add a "Matter-Enabled device". However, a brief message "Scan the QR code" appeared for one second and then disappeared, preventing me from adding the Matter device.

Any ideas, what is wrong? What I could try next?

I have following configuration:
- Pixel 6a, Android 15
- Home app, version 3.24.1.4
- Chromebok Plus Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chrome 14/AU7, ChromeOS version 129.0.6668.110
- Google TV Streamer, Android TV OS build UTT3.240625.001.K5
- The Matter/Thread device: Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Bulb A60¦E27

[virnab]

Hi MikaH,

Thank you for reaching out to our community.
 

I am sorry to hear that you can’t set up your Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Bulb A60¦E27 with the Google Home app to manage it with the Google TV Streamer 4K. I understand how frustrating your experience has been trying to find a way to set it up using different devices, such as your Pixel phone and your Chromebook. Thank you for sharing with me all the troubleshooting steps you have taken so we can advance with more options to resolve the inconvenience.

To provide you with better assistance, please answer the following questions:

Have you been able to add more smart devices to your Google TV Streamer 4K?

Is this the first time you try to set up a Matter-enabled device?

Did you try to set up your Matter device with the manufacturer’s app?

Can you let me know if your Google TV Streamer is working fine with other services (streaming, music, movies, games, etc.)?

Can you use the Google TV Streamer 4K Home panel to perform other setup actions?

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Virna

[MikaH]

Hi Virna,

I did the following experiment and it succeeded:

1. Moved the sim card from my Pixel phone to my old mobile phone and set it as a hotspot with the same name and password.
2. Connected the Pixel phone to that wifi.
3. Added the bulb to the Home app from the Pixel phone, it succeeded!!
4. Moved the sim card back to my Pixel phone card.
5. Set the Pixel phone hotspot on.

Now I can control the bulb from the Home App (on/off and colors). This is of course a very inconvenient way to add a Matter/Thread device.

Any ideas, how to fix this issue?

Have you been able to add more smart devices to your Google TV Streamer 4K?
Yes, using above mentioned "trick"

Is this the first time you try to set up a Matter-enabled device?
Yes

Did you try to set up your Matter device with the manufacturer’s app?
No

Can you let me know if your Google TV Streamer is working fine with other services (streaming, music, movies, games, etc.)?
Yes, except minor hiccups.

Can you use the Google TV Streamer 4K Home panel to perform other setup actions?
I can now control the bulb from the Google TV Streamer 4K Home panel. The home panel was at first missing but it is now there.

Best regards,
Mika

[virnab]

Hi MikaH,

Thank you for sharing this good news with us. I am so happy to know that you were able to set up your Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Bulb A60¦E27 with the Google Home app to manage it with the Google TV Streamer 4K. Congratulations!

I appreciate you giving this helpful information on the troubleshooting steps you took to resolve the inconvenience and answering my questions. It helps me better understand your situation.

Regarding your question, based on the information you provided, I can tell you that the Google TV Streamer 4K setup procedure had not been completed when you attempted to add your Matter device.

To complete the setup for the Google TV Streamer 4K using a mobile hotspot, it is necessary to have 2 devices (one as a setup device and the other with the hotspot as a router). This is because most devices won’t allow both Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots to work at the same time. However, these types of networks aren’t officially recommended for a Chromecast or Google TV Streamer device. To get the best performance of your device, it is recommended to use a WiFi network or an Ethernet connection.

It is my pleasure to assist you whenever you need it; please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance.

Best regards,

Virna

[MikaH]

Hi Virna,

I do not consider moving a mobile phone sim card to an old phone every time I want to add a device to the Home app as a solution to this problem, it is too cumbersome.

How do you recommend to solve this problem so that I can use my mobile phone data connection to the Internet? I do not want to buy another internet connection, because of the monthly fees. Can I use a mobile router so that the mobile router is connected to the Internet by the mobile phone?

Best Regards,

Mika

[jenniffert]

Hi MikaH,

Thanks for following up!

I understand how frustrating this situation must be. For now, connecting your devices to a hotspot isn't currently recommended. Even if you've connected to similar networks in the past, these types of connections can be unreliable.

At this time, Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, Nest, and Home speakers and displays don't support hotspots or networks created by phones, tablets, or computers. While your Google streaming device might occasionally work with a hotspot, we strongly recommend a stable internet connection from an ISP for the best experience.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Best regards

Jenniffer