The Google Nest Hub is a smart display that offers all the features of a Google Nest smart speaker plus a touchscreen display. You connect the Nest Hub to your home Wi-Fi network to access the Internet and control other smart devices in your home.

Before you can start using your new Nest Hub, however, you need to get it connected and set up. Once it's ready to go, there's a lot you can do with it.

Setting Up Your New Google Nest Hub

You only have to set up your Google Nest Hub once, and it's a relatively easy process. All you need is the following:

  • Google Nest Hub
  • Google Home app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS )
  • A Google account
  • Access to the Internet via a home Wi-Fi network
Google Nest Hub 2nd Generation
Image Credit: Google

Here's how the setup process goes. The same setup process applies to either the Google Nest Hub or the larger Nest Hub Max.

  1. Plug in your Google Nest Hub to a power outlet.
  2. Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network to which you'll be connecting the Hub.
  3. On your smartphone, open the Google Home app.
  4. Tap the Add icon.
  5. Tap Set Up Device.
  6. Tap New Device.
  7. On the Choose a Home screen, make sure your current home is selected. If not, tap Add Another Home and follow the onscreen instructions to add your home to the list. Tap Next when ready.
  8. If prompted to allow nearby devices, tap Next.
  9. The Home app displays all the devices it finds. Select the Google Nest Hub from the list then tap Next.
  10. The screen of the Nest Hub shows a four-digit alphanumeric code. Verify this code in the Home app then tap Yes.
  11. If you're asked if you want to "Help improve" Google Nest services, answer yes or no. It doesn't matter either way for your setup.
  12. When prompted, choose the room in which you're putting the Nest Hub.
  13. On the Connect to Wi-Fi screen, select the network to which you want to connect, then tap Next.
  14. If prompted to use a saved password, tap Next. If prompted to enter the password for this network, do so now.
  15. You're now prompted to use the Voice Match feature. Voice Match learns to recognize your voice and the voices of five other users, so the Hub can display personalized calendars, reminders, and the like. You can choose to use this or not, it doesn't affect your setup—and you can activate this at a later time, if you choose.
  16. You're now prompted to set up a variety of features—your Photo Frame, music & audio, TV and video, and the like. Tap to select which features you want to set up at the moment. You can set up any of these at a later time, as well.
  17. You're now walked through each of the features you selected and prompted to configure various options and link various accounts. If you've previously linked any streaming music or video services in the Home app, they should automatically appear here. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.
  18. You're just about done. You're prompted to review all the setup choices you've made, then you're shown a short video tutorial on how to use the Nest Hub.

When the tutorial is complete the setup process is done. You can now start using your new Nest Hub.

Getting Started with Your Google Nest Hub

Now that your Google Nest Hub is set up and configured, what can you do with it? There's a lot, but here are a few ideas to get started with.

Ask a Question

You can use the Google Nest Hub just like a Google Nest smart speaker to ask just about any question you can think of. Just say "Hey Google" or "Okay Google," followed by your question. The Google Assistant will answer most questions verbally and, for some questions, display additional information onscreen.

Ask About the Weather

Google Nest Hub weather screen

Want to know the current temperature and tomorrow's weather forecast? Just ask "Hey Google, what's the weather?" You'll get a quick verbal forecast with more details onscreen.

Get the News Headlines

Likewise, the Hub will read the current headlines and show more information onscreen when you ask, "Hey Google, what's the news?"

Check the Traffic

Google Nest Hub traffic screen

If you've set your home and work locations in the Google Home mobile app, you can ask your Nest Hub to provide information about your commute to work. Just say "Hey Google, how long is my commute" and the Hub will tell you a long a drive you have and display current traffic conditions. You can also use the Hub to get commute and traffic information to other destinations by saying "Hey Google, how long will it take to get to (destination)?"

Check Your Calendar

If you keep your appointments in a Google Calendar, you can view your scheduled events on your Nest Hub. Say "Hey Google, what's my agenda for today?" To find out what's happening on a specific day, say "Hey Google, what's my agenda for (day)?" To add a new event, say "Hey Google, schedule (event) for me on (day)."

Set an Alarm

It's easy to use Google Nest Hub as an alarm clock. To set an alarm, say "Hey Google, set an alarm for (time)."

By default, the Nest Hub sounds a pleasant tone with the alarm rings. If you'd rather wake to music, say "Hey Google, set a (song or artist) music alarm at (time)." The Nest Hub will play your chosen song or artist when the alarm is ready.

Set a Timer

Google Nest Hub timer screen

Likewise, your Google Nest Hub can function as a basic timer. Say "Hey Google, set a timer for (xx minutes)." and it will start the countdown. You'll see the remaining time on the Nest Hub screen.

Set a Reminder

Your Google Nest Hub can remind you when something big (or small) is coming up. Say "Hey Google, set a reminder" then answer the voice prompts with more information. To check on your reminders, say "Hey Google, what are my reminders?"

Play Your Favorite Tunes

Google Nest Hub Pandora screen

The Nest Hub has built-in speakers, and they sound pretty good. Once you link your favorite streaming music account to your Google account in the Home app, you can play your favorite music on the Nest Hub. Say "Hey Google, play (song/artist/playlist)" and the music will start—with cover art and song information onscreen.

Watch YouTube Videos

That big display on the Google Nest Hub is useful for watching videos, including YouTube videos. You can tell the Hub to play a specific video with a voice command—"Hey Google, play (video name) on YouTube"—or use the touchscreen display to launch the YouTube app and navigate to the video you want.

Watch TV Shows and Movies

Google Nest Hub Netflix screen

You can also watch TV shows and movies from your favorite streaming video services, such as Netflix and Hulu, on the Nest Hub. Once you've linked your streaming subscriptions to the Google Home app, you can use voice commands or the touchscreen display to launch the appropriate streaming app and find something to watch.

Do Even More with Your Google Nest Hub

That just scratches the surface of what you can do with your Google Nest Hub.

Once you get it set up and configured, ask it to do just about anything—and remember to watch the display for prompts and more information.