The Google Home app will soon support the Nest Protect

The smoke and CO alarm is finally coming to the Home app, along with increased functionality for smart locks connected to Google Home via Matter

It’s the end of an era and the beginning of a more streamlined smart home experience. Google has officially announced that the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm will transition to the Google Home app. This long-anticipated move means you can now manage, monitor, and receive notifications for your Nest Protect directly through the Google Home app. From silencing alarms to running system-wide safety checkups, everything you need is now in one place. While the Nest app remains functional for now, its days are clearly numbered.

The Last Piece of the Puzzle

Nest Protect was the final holdout requiring exclusive use of the Nest app, as Google’s other Nest devices, like cameras and thermostats, have already migrated to the Home app. This transition marks the culmination of Google’s multi-year effort to unify its smart home ecosystem under the Google Home umbrella. With this move, Google is inching closer to fully retiring the Nest app, though it will remain in maintenance mode for the foreseeable future.

What’s New for Nest Protect in Google Home?

Starting this week, Android users enrolled in the Google Home Public Preview program can access these new Nest Protect features, with iOS support rolling out “soon.” Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming:

1. Emergency and Heads-Up Notifications Receive real-time alerts for smoke and carbon monoxide events, ensuring you stay informed even when you’re away from home.
2. Critical Status Alerts Get notified about important issues such as low battery levels or device malfunctions.
3. System-Wide Safety Checkups Check when alarms were last tested and run comprehensive safety checks to ensure your system is in top shape.
4. Automatic Sound Check Scheduling Create a schedule for sound checks while you’re away to minimize disruptions.
5. Customizable Settings Adjust system-wide and alarm-specific configurations with ease.
6. Emergency Camera Integration If you have Nest cameras, you can view live feeds directly from the emergency alarm card in the Google Home app.
7. E911 Calling for Nest Aware Subscribers In the U.S., Nest Aware subscribers can use the Google Home app to quickly contact an emergency call center near their home, even when they’re not there.

Google Home’s Expanded Smart Lock Capabilities

Google isn’t stopping with Nest Protect. The Google Home app is also rolling out enhanced support for smart locks connected via Matter, a universal smart home standard. These updates are arriving in Public Preview on Android and will extend to iOS in early 2025.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Passcode Management Share and edit passcodes for family members and guests, giving you full control over who can access your home.
2. One-Tap Entry Skip typing passcodes with one-tap entry and remotely lock or unlock your door with a single tap in the app.
3. Automatic Locking Set a timer for your lock to automatically re-secure your door after a specific duration.
4. Vacation Mode Activate Vacation Mode to disable the keypad, preventing anyone from unlocking the door using the touchpad.
5. One-Touch Locking Quickly lock your door using the touchpad or physical button on the lock.
6. Push Notifications Stay updated on lock activity with event notifications sent straight to your phone.

What This Means for Your Smart Home

By integrating Nest Protect into the Google Home app and expanding support for Matter-compatible smart locks, Google is delivering a more cohesive and intuitive smart home experience. These updates eliminate the need to juggle multiple apps and ensure that all your devices work seamlessly together.

For Nest Protect users, this transition brings the convenience of centralized control and access to new features that enhance safety and usability. Meanwhile, the smart lock updates make it easier to manage home security and streamline daily routines.

The Bigger Picture

As Google continues to consolidate its smart home ecosystem, the transition of Nest Protect to the Google Home app is a significant milestone. It underscores Google’s commitment to creating a unified platform that’s easier to use and packed with features designed to make your life safer and more convenient. Whether it’s managing smoke alarms, monitoring live camera feeds, or customizing smart lock settings, the Google Home app is becoming the ultimate command center for your connected devices.

So, if you’ve been holding onto the Nest app for Nest Protect, now is the time to embrace the change. The future of smart home management is here, and it’s all in the Google Home app.