Turn on Ultrasound sensing
Turn on Ultrasound sensing to help simplify daily interactions with your Google Nest display, Nest Mini, and Nest Wifi point. Touch controls appear automatically when you're near your speaker or display. Read your cooking timer more easily from across the room. Get more help and control at a glance, whether close or far.
How Ultrasound sensing works
Your Google smart speaker or display uses Ultrasound sensing to determine if someone is approaching. Your device’s speaker sends out inaudible ultrasonic pulses. Its microphones detect when these pulses bounce off nearby objects.
Sometimes, other things in your home might cause ultrasonic noise that briefly disrupts this feature until the noise stops.
Ultrasound sensing and your privacy
Ultrasound sensing is performed on your device. It adjusts your speaker or display for easier glanceability and control based on how close you are. No motion, proximity, or presence sensor data is sent to the cloud. Learn more about Nest's privacy commitments and sensor guide.
Turn Ultrasound sensing on or off
Ultrasound sensing is on by default. You can easily turn this feature off and on anytime within the Google Home app.
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Open the Google Home app Google Home app.
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Tap Home and then All devices , then touch and hold your device's tile.
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Tap Settings and then Recognition & sharing.
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Turn Ultrasound sensing on or off.
Tip: Ultrasound sensing is disabled whenever the microphone on your Nest display, Nest Mini, or Nest Wifi point is muted.
Explore Ultrasound sensing features
Ultrasound sensing on your Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max detects your presence within approximately 4 feet.
Easily view your notifications
If you have personal results and Home screen and notifications on your Nest Hub display turned on, Ultrasound sensing will show pending notifications on the ambient screen if you're nearby. For Nest Hub Max displays, if you have enrolled in Face Match and have personalization turned on, notifications will show when you are Face Matched by the device. If you're not enrolled in Face Match but you do have notifications and personalization turned on, Ultrasound sensing will show pending notifications if you're nearby.
Get a better view and control of your timers
When you set a timer and Nest's display detects that you're nearby, it will automatically show your touch controls so you can easily control your timer. If you're across the room, your timer will be displayed in a larger font to help you view it more easily.
Stay updated on the daily weather
When you ask for the weather, you can get detailed weather information and an hourly forecast when you're near the display. You can also get a view of the day's weather in larger letters if you're farther away.
Control and view your media
Your Nest display gives you easier control when you play audio by automatically showing your touch controls when you're nearby.
With Ultrasound sensing enabled, your Nest Mini offers easier volume control. It detects your hand when your palm is 2 to 6 inches above the device while media is playing, and its volume LEDs light up.
With Ultrasound sensing enabled, your Nest Wifi point offers easier volume control. It detects your hand when your palm is one to six inches above the device while media is playing, and its volume LEDs light up.