Integrating an Echo with Nest

Google Nest is a provider of a popular line of smart home devices, including surveillance cameras and programmable thermostats. As part of managing your smart home, you’ll likely want to integrate any Nest products you own with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant.

Alexa is built-in to Amazon’s Echo devices and offers hands-free control of your smart home gadgets. Here are three tips on how to integrate Amazon Echo with Nest devices.

You can control multiple Nest devices

Alexa can control both Nest cameras and Nest thermostats. Setup is straightforward and takes mere minutes through the Alexa app. Simply click “Smart Home” and then “Discover Devices.” You can add multiple Nest products to Alexa during the same setup process.

Once you authorize Amazon to access your Google Nest account, you can start controlling your Nest devices. Remember that if you have multiple thermostats or cameras, you’ll want to name each so you can distinguish between them when making voice commands. For instance, you may say, “Alexa, turn the living room thermostat to 71,” followed by “Alexa, turn the basement thermostat to 65.”

Note: The Nest app controls the names of these devices, not Alexa.

Shared access is limited

While multiple family members can share a Nest Family Account, only primary account members can control manage integrations between Amazon Echo with Nest devices.

Device management will not be possible if the Nest product is set to any of the following modes:

• Off

• Auto-Away

• Away

• Emergency Heating

• Emergency Shutoff

Google and Amazon’s rocky relationship

Something you may not have realized is Google and Amazon have been at odds of late about the future of smart home technology. Google owns Nest, while Amazon owns the Echo devices that include Alexa. Amazon refused to sell certain smart home devices developed by Google like the Chromecast and Google Home speaker. In retaliation, Google removed YouTube from Amazon’s streaming devices, such as the Echo Show and Fire TV.

Brinks Home™ offers a range of smart home products to meet your home’s needs. Contact us today to see how we can help protect your home.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.