To connect a Google Nest Mini to Wi-Fi, use the Google Home app on your phone. For a new or reset speaker, tap Add, then Device, and choose your Wi-Fi network during setup. To move a speaker that’s already set up to a different network, open its settings, go to Device information, then Wi-Fi, tap Forget this network, and add it again on the new network. You usually don’t need a factory reset.
The same steps work for the Nest Mini (2nd gen) and the older Google Home Mini (1st gen). The only real difference between the two is how you factory reset them, which this guide covers separately.
Quick Answer
- Plug in the Mini and turn on Bluetooth on your phone.
- If the Mini is already set up, open it in the Google Home app: tap Settings, then Device information, then Wi-Fi, and tap Forget this network.
- In the Google Home app, tap Add, then Device.
- Follow the prompts, pick your Wi-Fi network and enter its password.
- If the app can’t reach the speaker, factory reset it and set it up again.
In This Guide
- What you need and which Mini you have
- Connect a new or reset Mini to Wi-Fi
- Change the Wi-Fi network on a Mini that’s already set up
- Connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network
- Factory reset a Nest Mini or Home Mini
- What the lights mean during setup
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
What You Need and Which Mini You Have
These instructions reflect Google’s help documentation as of September 2026. The Google Home app is updated often, so button labels and menu locations may look slightly different on your phone.
- Your Nest Mini or Home Mini, plugged into power with its own adapter.
- A phone or tablet running Android 9.0 or later, or iOS 17.0 or later, with the latest Google Home app installed.
- The same Google Account that the speaker is linked to, if you’re changing networks on a speaker that’s already set up.
- Bluetooth on, and the Google Home app allowed to use Location. On iPhone and iPad, it also needs Local Network access.
- Your Wi-Fi network name and password. Passwords are case-sensitive.
Nest Mini vs. Google Home Mini
| Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) | Google Home Mini (1st gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Power connector | Round DC power jack | Micro-USB port |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Factory reset | Mic switch off, then hold the center of the top | Hold the reset button on the bottom |
The easiest way to tell them apart is the power port. If the cable plugs in with a small flat Micro-USB connector, you have the 1st gen Home Mini. A round barrel plug means it’s a Nest Mini.
Networks your Mini can’t use
Both Minis handle 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Google lists some network types as incompatible with its devices:
- Captive portal networks, where you must sign in on a web page before you get online. These are common in hotels, dorms, airports and coffee shops.
- Enterprise networks that use 802.1x/RADIUS sign-in, often labeled WPA2-Enterprise at workplaces and universities.
Google also advises against mobile hotspots, public networks and guest networks, which can be unreliable or have data limits. See Google’s list of incompatible and not-recommended Wi-Fi networks for details.
Connect a New or Reset Mini to Wi-Fi
Use this method for a brand-new speaker, a secondhand one, or one you’ve just factory reset. Wi-Fi setup is part of the normal setup process.
- Plug in the Mini. Use its original power adapter. Expected result: After it boots, the white lights slowly pulse, meaning it’s ready to set up.
- Open the Google Home app. Sign in with your Google Account. If this is your first device, the app asks you to create a home.
- Tap Add, then Device. Add is at the top of the app’s main screen.
- Identify the speaker. Choose how to add it: scan a QR code, Use setup code, or Add a different way to let the app search for nearby devices. Nest Mini and Home Mini have no screen, so searching is usually the quickest option. Expected result: The app finds your Mini and connects to it over Bluetooth.
- Confirm it’s the right device. The app may ask you to verify that you’re setting up the speaker in front of you, for example by playing a sound. During this step the Mini shows 4 solid blue lights. Confirm in the app to continue.
- Choose a room. Pick where the speaker lives, such as Living Room or Bedroom.
- Choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Select your network from the list, type the password carefully, and continue. Expected result: The Mini’s white lights run back and forth while it connects. The app then confirms the connection.
- Finish setup. Follow the remaining prompts for Voice Match, music services and other options. The speaker may download an update first. Leave it plugged in until it finishes.
Google’s official speaker and display setup guide lists the current requirements for Android and iPhone.
Change the Wi-Fi Network on a Mini That’s Already Set Up
Use this method if you got a new router, changed your Wi-Fi name or password, or moved the speaker to a different network. It avoids a factory reset, so your room, name and other settings are more likely to carry over. Do this while your phone can still reach the speaker, ideally before you switch off the old router.
Before you start: make sure your phone is signed in to the same Google Account the Mini is linked to. Forgetting the network takes the speaker offline until you add it again.
- Open the Google Home app and go to the Home tab.
- Find the speaker. Open All devices, then touch and hold your Mini’s tile.
- Open its settings. Tap Settings (the gear icon), then Device information.
- Forget the old network. Tap Wi-Fi, then Forget this network, and confirm. Expected result: The speaker disconnects from Wi-Fi and becomes ready to set up again.
- Add it back. Return to the Google Home app’s main screen. Tap Add, then Device, then search for the device.
- Choose the new network. Follow the in-app steps, select your new Wi-Fi network and enter its password.
Your app version may use slightly different labels, but Wi-Fi options are always under the device’s settings. These steps come from Google’s guide to connecting Nest and Home devices to a new Wi-Fi network. They also work for Nest Audio speakers and Nest Hub displays. For the display version, see how to set up a Google Nest Hub.
When you’ll need a reset instead: Google says to factory reset and set the speaker up again if these steps don’t work. The same applies if you see an error saying the app could not communicate with your device, if you can’t change network settings in the app, or if adding the speaker to the new network fails. This often happens when the old router is already gone, because the app can’t reach the speaker to tell it to forget the network.
Which method should you use?
| Your situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Brand-new or secondhand Mini | Factory reset if it was used, then set up and connect to Wi-Fi |
| Old network still working and you’re switching networks | Forget this network, then add the speaker again |
| Old router already replaced and the Mini shows offline | Factory reset, then set up on the new network |
| Network name is hidden | Set up and use the Other option to enter the network manually |
Connect to a Hidden Wi-Fi Network
A hidden network broadcasts without showing its name, so it won’t appear in the app’s list. You can still join it during setup.
- When the app shows the Wi-Fi network list, tap the arrow next to the network name.
- Scroll down and tap Other.
- Type the exact network name (SSID).
- Choose the security type: None, WEP, WPA or WPA2. Most home networks use WPA2.
- Enter the password and tap Set Network.
Google covers this in its guide to connecting to a network not listed in the Google Home app.
Factory Reset a Nest Mini or Home Mini
Warning: a factory reset erases your settings from the speaker, can’t be undone, and removes it from your home in the Google Home app. You’ll need to set it up again afterward. Google says factory resets can’t be done by voice or from the app, only with the buttons on the speaker.
Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
- Slide the microphone switch on the side of the speaker to off. Expected result: The lights turn orange.
- Press and hold the center of the top of the Nest Mini.
- Keep holding for about 10 more seconds (about 15 seconds total), until a sound confirms the reset.
- Slide the mic switch back on, then set up the speaker using the first method above.
Google Home Mini (1st gen)
- Turn the speaker over and find the small factory reset button on the bottom, below the power cord.
- Press and hold the button for about 15 seconds. The lights count down in orange.
- Keep holding until a sound confirms the reset.
- Set up the speaker using the first method above.
Google’s factory reset instructions list the method for every Google speaker and display. You can also read our broader guide on how to reset a Google Nest device.
What the Lights Mean During Setup
The four small lights on top of your Mini tell you what’s happening, which is useful because these speakers have no screen.
| Lights | Meaning |
|---|---|
| White lights slowly pulse | Ready to set up (also shown when an alarm or timer rings) |
| 4 solid blue lights | The app is asking you to confirm this is the right device |
| White lights run back and forth | Connecting to Wi-Fi |
| White lights light up from left to right | Updating software |
| 4 solid orange lights | Microphone is off |
| 2 solid red lights | An update is taking longer than expected |
Related: How to Reset a Google Nest Mini.
Troubleshooting
The app can’t find the Mini
- Make sure Bluetooth and Location are on for the Google Home app. On iPhone and iPad, also allow Local Network access.
- Stay close. Google suggests keeping your phone within about 5 to 20 feet of the speaker during setup.
- Unplug the Mini, wait 10 seconds and plug it back in.
- Force-close the Google Home app, reopen it, and start again from Add and Device.
- If it was previously set up on another account or network, factory reset it.
Your Wi-Fi network isn’t in the list
Move within about 15 to 20 feet of your router during setup. If you’re connecting to a 5 GHz network, your phone must also support 5 GHz. If the network is hidden, use the Other option described above.
The Mini won’t connect even with the right password
Retype the password carefully, paying attention to capital letters. Confirm the network isn’t a captive portal or enterprise network. Restart your router and try again. If your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, try the other band.
“Could not communicate with your device” error
This usually means the app can’t reach the speaker, often because it’s still trying to use an old network. Google’s advice is to factory reset the speaker and set it up again on the new network.
Setup freezes partway through
Unplug the Mini for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and restart setup. If the lights show an update in progress, give it time to finish before trying again. Our guide on how to update a Google Nest device explains how updates work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Nest Mini’s Wi-Fi without resetting it?
Yes, if the Mini is still online. Open its settings in the Google Home app, go to Device information and Wi-Fi, tap Forget this network, then add it again. A reset is only needed if the app can’t communicate with it.
Does the Nest Mini work on 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Yes. Both the Nest Mini and the Home Mini support 802.11ac Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Your phone needs 5 GHz support during setup if you choose a 5 GHz network.
Can I connect a Nest Mini to hotel or dorm Wi-Fi?
Usually not. Networks that require signing in on a web page (captive portals) and enterprise networks with 802.1x logins aren’t compatible with Google’s speakers.
Will my Mini reconnect by itself if I change routers?
Not if the network name or password changes. You’ll need to connect it to the new network using the steps above. Reusing your old network name and password on the new router may let it reconnect, but Google doesn’t guarantee this, so be ready to set it up again.
Can I use a mobile hotspot with a Nest Mini?
It may work, but Google doesn’t recommend hotspots. They can have limited bandwidth, drop out when your phone leaves, and use your mobile data.
Can I set up a Nest Mini without the Google Home app?
No. Wi-Fi setup and network changes require the Google Home app on a phone or tablet.
Does a factory reset delete my music and Voice Match?
A reset clears your data from the speaker itself and disconnects it from everyone in your home. It doesn’t delete your Google Account. You’ll go through setup again, including Voice Match and music service prompts, and can reconnect what you need there.
Summary
- Check which Mini you have. A round power jack means Nest Mini (2nd gen), and Micro-USB means Home Mini (1st gen).
- For a new or reset speaker, tap Add, then Device in the Google Home app, and choose your Wi-Fi during setup.
- To switch networks, open the speaker’s Settings, then Device information and Wi-Fi, tap Forget this network, and add it again.
- For hidden networks, use Other and enter the network name manually.
- If the app can’t reach the speaker, factory reset it with the buttons (Nest Mini: mic switch off and hold the center; Home Mini: hold the bottom reset button).
- Avoid captive portal and enterprise networks, which aren’t supported.
Next step: once your Mini is online, link your favorite music service and try grouping speakers to play music in several rooms at once.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.