Google Home Update Adds Nest Cam, Matter and Energy-saving Fixes

WHO:

9to5Google - Google is rolling out an update for Google Home, Gemini for Home, Nest devices, and other connected home products.

Android Police - The update covers Google Home and Nest speakers, Chromecast with Google TV, Nest Wifi, and older Nest cameras migrated to Google Home.

TechRadar - The update is for the Google Home app on Android and iOS.

WHAT:

9to5Google - The Google Home app update adds a Google Home Premium features-and-benefits hub, improves event timeline scrolling on iOS, fixes live camera viewing on foldable Android phones and offline-device status on iOS, and includes Android display fixes and “visual polish.”

9to5Google - On Android, the app now shows energy data from compatible Matter devices and displays appropriate icons and controls for Matter closures, including garage doors, gates, windows, blinds, and cabinets.

Android Police - Compatible Matter smart plugs and energy monitors display real-time power usage and cumulative energy consumption on device tiles and control screens.

9to5Google - Thermostat shortcuts let users switch to an energy-saving temperature; single-device voice controls on Pixel Tablet now dismiss automatically.

9to5Google - Gemini for Home fixes include unexpected “Sorry, I didn’t understand” responses, music-transfer commands between rooms, confusion between timer types, YouTube TV commands on smart displays, volume controls, and timer or alarm volumes set to zero.

Android Police - The update also improves speaker and display streaming, with smoother playback, less boomy bass, and clearer audio at lower volume levels.

Android Police - Speaker updates address disappearing speaker groups, Wi-Fi 7 connection failures, and Bluetooth playback pausing after a resume command.

Android Police - Chromecast with Google TV HD and 4K receive the August 2026 security patch and connectivity, streaming, and display improvements. Nest Wifi routers and Wifi points receive mesh-resilience, DNS-fallback, and stability improvements.

Android Police - Older Nest cameras migrated to Google Home receive Wi-Fi reconnection improvements; first-generation Nest Cams get a fix for slow night-vision activation; Nest Hello gets audio-sync and unexpected-restart fixes; the doorbell gets improved person and Familiar Face detection; and Nest Cam IQ models get a status-light fix.

9to5Google - A volume-control fix prevents a request to adjust a device in another room from changing the device the user is speaking to when the intended device cannot be found. Alarm and timer volume now matches device volume when affected by the zero-volume bug.

WHERE:

9to5Google - The app fixes apply to Android and iOS, with specific improvements for Android foldable phones, Pixel Tablet, and iOS event timelines.

Android Police - Energy data appears on compatible Matter device tiles and control screens in the Google Home app.

WHY:

9to5Google - Thermostat shortcuts are intended to help users save energy during colder months.

9to5Google - The update addresses bugs that caused devices to respond unexpectedly, misunderstand voice commands, or control the wrong device.

HOW:

9to5Google - Google says the changes are rolling out through app and firmware updates.

Android Police - Matter closure recognition provides device-specific icons and controls instead of treating every closure as a generic gate.

(UPDATED October 31, 2026 01:04 UTC)

Google is rolling out broad updates to its Home app, Gemini, and Nest devices. Matter devices gain energy tracking and tailored controls, while thermostat shortcuts encourage energy savings. The updates also fix voice commands, camera viewing, connectivity, streaming, and device-control problems.