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Install Nest Protect

You can easily install your Nest Protect in just a few minutes. Follow the steps in this article to learn how.

To get an overview of Nest Protect installation, you can watch our videos to walk you through the steps. The steps are different for 1st and 2nd generation Nest Protects.

How can I tell which Nest Protect I have? >

You can also have a Nest Pro set up and install all your Nest Protects for you. Click here to find a Nest Pro near you. After they've installed your Nest Protects, they'll give you a demo and answer any questions you have.

To set up and install your Nest Protect, you will need:

  • A Wi-Fi connection
  • Your Wi-Fi password
  • A phone or tablet (iOS or Android)
  • A Phillips screwdriver

Before you begin, make sure you're aware of local regulations. Specific requirements for smoke alarm installation vary from country to country, and from region to region. Check with your local Fire Brigade for current requirements in your area.

Where in the room should I install my Nest Protect? >

Which rooms in my home need a Nest Protect? >

Select your Nest Protect

Each kind of Nest Protect has different installation instructions. Select the Nest Protect that you have (if you're not sure, you can find out here):

2nd gen wired Nest Protect

1. Get the Nest app

Before you install your Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, set it up with the Nest app. Download the app from the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™ and create a Nest Account. You can use a phone or tablet for setup.

 

Download Nest app

Important: If you already have the Nest app installed on your
smartphone or tablet, make sure it's the latest version before
setting up your Nest Protect.

2. Set up Nest Protect

Scan QR code

The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the
Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the Internet, and
connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home.

Tip: Set everything out on a table for easy setup.

How to set up a 2nd gen Nest Protect with the Nest app >

3. Have more Nest
Protects?

Protect 2nd gen add another nest protect illustration

The Nest app will ask you if you have additional Nest Protects
to set up. If so, it'll take you through a faster setup. Be sure to
keep all your Nest Protects together until they're all set up and
ready to be installed.

Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a clear plastic dust
cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until
you install it.

4. Turn off the mains
power

fuse box illustration

Protect yourself and avoid blowing a fuse. Switch off the correct
circuit breaker for the room where you are installing Nest
Protect or remove the fuse from the fuse box.

Warning: Failure to turn off power may result in serious
electrical shock, injury, or death.

5. Remove your old smoke alarm (if you have one)

Nest Protect smoke alarm

Note: If you don't have an old smoke alarm, skip to step 8.

To prevent electrical shock, make sure that the green power
light is off on the alarm. You may have to twist the alarm to
release it. Remove it carefully to avoid damaging your ceiling or
wall. There will be two or four conductors attached to the old
backplate. Disconnect them all.

Tip: Your old smoke alarm might make a loud noise when you
disconnect it.

6. Remove the old
backplate

Nest Protect connector

Unscrew the back plate from the ceiling or electrical box. Save
the screws for installing the Nest back plate later. You'll see one
or two wires coming from the ceiling.

7. Attach the Nest
connector

Nest Protect attach connector

Each wire in the ceiling or wall will have two to four differently
coloured conductors. Their colours may vary based on their age.
If you are in the Netherlands, the interconnect conductor is
usually coloured orange.

Nest protect attach connector

Match the live wires coming from the ceiling to the live wires in
the Nest 230V AC connector and put them into a connector
block. All the neutral wires go into another connector block, and
the earth wires into a third terminal block.

There is no need for the interconnect conductor, as Nest
Protects are wirelessly interconnected. If you are replacing all
of your alarms with Nest Protects, connect all of the
interconnect conductors to earth. If you are keeping some of
your current alarms, they won't be able to connect to Nest
Protect, but they'll still need the interconnect conductors to
communicate with each other. Connect the interconnect
conductors together with their own connector block. You may
need an additional connector block.

Be sure that you comply with local wiring regulations in your
area.

Warning: Mixing the live and neutral connections when
connecting alarms will damage all the alarms - ensure that the
same colours are used throughout the premises for live, neutral
and interconnect wires (if present).

8. Install the Nest
backplate

Nest protect 2nd gen wired

Screw the Nest back plate to the existing electrical box, reusing
the existing screws. (You can also screw the back plate directly
into the wall or ceiling with the Nest screws.) The Nest screws
are self-tapping, so there's no need to drill pilot holes in wood,
plaster and other relatively soft materials.

Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so
remove any dust before you install Nest Protect.

9. Connect power

Nest protect gen 2 detach power connector

Plug the 230V connector into the back of your Nest Protect.

Tip: If the electrical wiring box is recessed and isn't flush with the wall or ceiling, use the dry wall screws that are included in the Nest Protect (Wired 230V) box and attach the backplate directly to the ceiling

10. Install your Nest
Protect

Nest Protect gen 2 backplate

Tuck any excess wiring into the electrical box first. Hold Nest
Protect against the backplate and turn it clockwise. You'll feel
the tabs drop into place and grip the backplate. Continue
turning until it's square with the wall or ceiling. Install the rest
of your Nest Protects if you have more.

Tip: To remove it (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn off
power to your Nest Protect at the fuse box or remove the fuse
first. Then turn it anticlockwise until it disconnects from the
backplate.

11. Switch mains power
back on or replace
the fuse

fuse box illustration

12. Press to test

Press Nest Protect gen2

Press the Nest button on one Nest Protect. It will tell you what
to do next. Every Nest Protect in the house should speak up,
confirming that they're connected to each other.

How and when should I test my Nest Protect? >

Important note: If one of your Nest Protects doesn't speak up
or sound its alarm during the test, try moving it closer to your
other Nest Protects and testing again. It should be located
within 15 meters of another Nest Protect, but its range may be
affected by your home's construction or interference from other
wireless electronics.

What is wireless interference and how do I troubleshoot
it? >

If it still doesn't speak up during the test, reset it to defaults
and add it to your Nest Account again.

How do I reset the Nest Protect and remove all my
personal settings? >

2nd gen battery powered Nest Protect

1. Get the Nest app

Before you install your Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, set it up with the Nest app. Download the app from the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™ and create a Nest Account. You can use a phone or tablet for setup.

Download Nest app

Important: If you already have the Nest app installed on your
smartphone or tablet, make sure it's the latest version before
setting up your Nest Protect.

2. Set up Nest Protect

Scan QR code

The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the Internet, and connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home.

Tip: Lay everything out on a table for easy setup.

How to set up a 2nd gen Nest Protect with the Nest app >

3. Have more Nest
Protects?

Protect 2nd gen add another nest protect illustration

The Nest app will ask you if you have additional Nest Protects to set up. If so, it'll take you through a faster setup. Be sure to keep all your Nest Protects together until they're all set up and
ready to be installed.

Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a clear plastic dust
cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until
you install it.

4. Remove your old smoke alarm (if you have one)

Remove old battery

Note: If you don't have an old smoke alarm, skip to the next step.

You may have to twist the alarm to release it. Remove it carefully to avoid damaging your ceiling or wall. Unscrew and remove the back plate if there
is one.

Tip: Your old smoke alarm might make a loud noise when you disconnect it.

5. Install Nest
backplate

Screw the Nest back plate directly into the wall or ceiling with the Nest screws. The Nest screws are self-tapping, so there's no need to drill pilot holes in wood, plaster and other relatively soft materials.

Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so remove any dust before you install Nest Protect.

6. Install your Nest
Protect

Nest Protect gen 2 backplate

Hold Nest Protect against the backplate and turn it clockwise. You'll feel the tabs drop into place and grip the backplate. Continue turning until it's square with the wall or ceiling. Install the rest of your Nest Protects if you have more.

Tip: To remove your Nest Protect (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn it counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.

7. Press to test

Press Nest Protect gen2

Press the Nest button on one Nest Protect. It will tell you what to do next. Every Nest Protect in the house should speak up, confirming that they're connected to each other.

How and when should I test my Nest Protect? >

Important note: If one of your Nest Protects doesn't speak up or sound its alarm during the test, try moving it closer to your other Nest Protects and testing again. It should be located within 15 meters of another Nest Protect, but its range may be affected by your home's construction or interference from other wireless electronics.

What is wireless interference and how do I troubleshoot it? >

If it still doesn't speak up during the test, reset it to defaults and add it to your Nest Account again.

How do I reset the Nest Protect and remove all my personal settings? >

1st gen wired Nest Protect

1. Get the Nest app

Before you install your Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, set it up with the Nest app. Download the app from the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™ and create a Nest Account. You can use a phone or tablet for setup.

Download Nest app

Important: If you already have the Nest app installed on your smartphone or tablet, make sure it's the latest version before setting up your Nest Protect.

2. Set up Nest Protect

The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the Internet, and connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home.

Tip: Lay everything out on a table for easy setup.

How to set up a 1st gen Nest Protect with the Nest app >

3. Have more Nest
Protects?

Protect 2nd gen add another nest protect illustration

The Nest app will ask you if you have additional Nest Protects to set up. If so, it'll take you through a shorter setup. Make sure to keep track of which Protects you've already set up and where you're going to install them.

Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a plastic cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until you install it.

4. Turn off power

fuse box illustration

Protect yourself and avoid blowing a fuse. Switch off the correct circuit breaker for the room where you are installing Nest Protect or remove the fuse from the fuse box.

Warning: Failure to turn off power may result in serious electrical shock, injury, or death.

5. Remove your old smoke alarm (if you have one)

Nest Protect smoke alarm

Note: If you don't have an old smoke alarm, skip to step 9.

Make sure the old smoke alarm's green power light is off (it can take a couple of minutes to turn off). Then remove the old smoke alarm from its backplate - it'll be connected to some cables.

6. Disconnect all cables from the old backplate

There will be two to four conductors attached to the old backplate. Disconnect them all.

7. Remove the old base

Nest Protect connector

Unscrew the base plate from the electrical box. Save the screws for later.

8. Connect the wires

Nest Protect attach connector

Each wire in the ceiling or wall will have two to four differently coloured conductors. Their colours may vary based on their age. If you are in the Netherlands, the interconnect conductor is usually coloured orange.

Nest protect attach connector

Match the live conductors coming from your ceiling to the live conductors in Nest's 230V AC cable connector and put them into a terminal block.

All the neutral conductors go into another terminal block, and the earth conductors into a third terminal block. There is no need for the interconnect cable as all Nest Protects are wirelessly interconnected. If there's an interconnect conductor, insulate it.

There is no need for the interconnect conductor, as Nest Protects are wirelessly interconnected. If you are replacing allof your alarms with Nest Protects, connect all of the interconnect conductors to earth. If you are keeping some of your current alarms, they won't be able to connect to Nest Protect, but they'll still need the interconnect conductors to communicate with each other. Connect the interconnect conductors together with their own connector block. You may need an additional connector block.

Be sure that you comply with local wiring regulations in your area.

Warning: Mixing the live and neutral connections when interconnecting alarms will damage all the alarms - ensure that the same colours are used throughout the premises for live, neutral and interconnect cables (if present).

9. Install the Nest
Protect backplate

Install Nest Protect backplate

Screw the backplate to the existing electrical box, reusing the existing screws. (You can also screw the plate directly into the wall or ceiling with the Nest screws.) The Nest screws are self-tapping, so there's no need to drill pilot holes in wood, plaster and other relatively soft materials.

Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so remove any dust before you install Nest Protect.

10. Connect power

Plug the 230V connector into the back of your Nest Protect.

Tip: If the electrical wiring box is recessed and isn't flush with the wall or ceiling, use the dry wall screws that are included in the Nest Protect (Wired 230V) box and attach the backplate directly to the ceiling

11. Install your Nest
Protect

Twist clockwise

First, tuck any excess wiring into the electrical box and push Nest Protect onto the backplate.

Give it a slight twist clockwise. It'll CLICK into place.

Tip: To remove your Nest Protect (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn it counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.

12. Switch power back on
or replace the fuse

fuse box illustration

13. Press to test

Press Nest Protect gen2

Press the Nest button on one Nest Protect and follow the spoken instructions to test. During the test, they should all speak to you, confirming that they're in range of each other.

How and when should I test my Nest Protect? >

Important note: If one of your Nest Protects doesn't speak up or sound its alarm during the test, try moving it closer to your other Nest Protects and testing again. It should be located within 15 meters of another Nest Protect, but its range may be affected by your home's construction or interference from other wireless electronics.

What is wireless interference and how do I troubleshoot it? >

If it still doesn't speak up during the test, reset it to defaults and add it to your Nest Account again.

How do I reset the Nest Protect and remove all my personal settings? >

1st gen battery powered Nest Protect

1. Get the Nest app

Before you install your Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, set it up with the Nest app. Download the app from the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™ and create a Nest Account. You can use a phone or tablet for setup.

 

Download Nest app

Important: If you already have the Nest app installed on your smartphone or tablet, make sure it's the latest version before setting up your Nest Protect.

2. Set up Nest Protect

The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the Internet, and connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home.

Tip: Lay everything out on a table for easy setup.

How to set up a 1st gen Nest Protect with the Nest app >

3. Have more Nest Protects?

Protect 2nd gen add another nest protect illustration

The Nest app will ask you if you have additional Nest Protects to set up. If so, it'll take you through a faster setup. Make sure to keep track of which Protects you've already set up and where you're going to install them.

Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a clear plastic dust cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until you install it.

4. Remove your old smoke alarm (if you have one)

Remove old battery

Note: If you don't have an old smoke alarm, skip to the next step.

Remove your old alarm from the wall or ceiling. If it had a backplate,
unscrew it.

Tip: Your old smoke alarm might make a loud noise when you disconnect it.

5. Install your Nest
Protect backplate

Install Nest Protect backplate

Screw the backplate to the ceiling or wall using the included screws. Use two to four screws. Choose the slots to support Nest Protect evenly. Make sure the backplate is squared up to the wall.

The Nest screws are self-tapping, so there's no need to drill pilot holes in wood, plaster and other relatively soft materials.

Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so remove any dust before you install Nest Protect.

6. Install your Nest
Protect

Twist clockwise

Push Nest Protect onto the backplate tabs and give it a slight twist clockwise. It'll CLICK into place.

Tip: To remove your Nest Protect (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn it counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.

7. Press to test

Press Nest Protect gen2

Press the Nest button on one Nest Protect. It will tell you what to do next. Every Nest Protect in the house should speak up, confirming that they're connected to each other.

How and when should I test my Nest Protect? >

Important note: If one of your Nest Protects doesn't speak up or sound its alarm during the test, try moving it closer to your other Nest Protects and testing again. It should be located within 15 meters of another Nest Protect, but its range may be affected by your home's construction or interference from other wireless electronics.

What is wireless interference and how do I troubleshoot it? >

If it still doesn't speak up during the test, reset it to defaults and add it to your Nest Account again.

How do I reset the Nest Protect and remove all my personal settings? >

 

 

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