With Google Nest Hub Max, seniors can stay connected to their friends and family. This article will help you assist a family member or friend to set up a Nest Hub Max, and share tips on how to use some of the display’s most popular features.
Before set up
Create a Google Account
If the person you’re helping set up a Nest Hub Max doesn’t have a Google Account, they’ll need to create one before you can set up their display. Learn how to how to create a Google Account.
Wi-Fi
For Nest Hub Max to work, your family member will need a direct connection to the internet and consistent Wi-Fi. If available, use a 5 GHz connection.
Note: The Nest Hub Max needs to be connected to the internet to work. If the Wi-Fi network you’re trying to connect to has a sign-in portal or requires a login before each use, you may not be able to use a Nest Hub Max in that location. Places that require logging in are often found in commercial settings like hospitals, assisted living facilities, libraries, airports, and hotels.
Help your family member set up the display
The Nest Hub Max needs to be set up while connected to the same Wi-Fi network your family member will use it on. For example, if your family member is in an assisted living facility, follow these steps while connected to the assisted living facility’s Wi-Fi network, not your home Wi-Fi network.
Your family member will need the Google Home app on an Android or iOS mobile device to get started. Make sure your family member is signed into the Google Home app with the Google Account they’d like to use to control the Nest display in the future. The app will walk them through most steps.
Follow these instructions to set up a Google Nest Hub Max.
Note: If you choose not to set up a particular feature, you can always come back another time and add it through the Google Home app or follow the instructions below. However, it's recommended to allow personal results to make features like video calling and voice calling easier to use.
After they’ve done the initial setup, there are several additional features you can add or customize below.
(Optional) Ask your family member to add you to their Google home
After you've completed the setup, you’ll be able to help manage the home if you’re added as a home member.
Share a home and devices in the Google Home app
Personalize
Personal results allow the user to call contacts by name, view calendar events, and receive specific results.
Change languages
You can change the language of the Google Assistant, or add an additional language to speak to the Google Assistant in 2 languages.
Change the language of your Google Assistant
Add features
Below are some of our favorite features of the Nest Hub Max. If you haven’t already done so, follow the setup instructions for each feature you’d like your family member to be able to use.
Make video calls on Nest Hub Max
You can make and receive video calls on Nest Hub Max using Google Duo.
Learn more about making video calls
Make phone calls on a Nest display
In some areas, phone calls can also be made to friends, family and businesses.
Find out which calling methods are available in your area
Make Google-supported calls or use mobile calling
Set up household contacts
You can set up a group of contacts on the display, including yourself or other family members, to allow your family member to make calls with just a few taps. These contacts will be visible on the display and can be used by anyone with access to the device.
Display photos
When the display is not in use, it can be used to show photos. If you’re a member of the home in the Google Home app, you can include your Google Photos album so that your family member can view them. With live albums, you can automatically add new pictures of friends, family or pets to share on your family member’s display.
Learn more about the Nest Photo frame and how to create albums with Google Photos
Create morning and bedtime routines
Google Assistant can automatically do multiple things in a row when you use built-in routines or create your own. For example, you can say "Hey Google, good morning" to learn about today’s weather and the news.
Link music services
You can link music services associated with a Google Account to listen to and set a default music service. Depending on the service added, you can create custom stations or playlists for your family member based on their preferences. If you’re a member of the home in the Google Home app, you can link your own music services so that your family member can use them. Learn more about how to listen to music on your display.
Customize the news
If your family member prefers to listen to news from specific providers, you can select different sources for the Nest Hub Max to play.
Customize your news preferences
Turn on accessibility features
You can turn on features like closed captioning or a screen reader to make the display easier to use. Learn more about Google Nest display accessibility settings.
Tips to control the display
For most actions, you can control the screen with your hands or with your voice by saying "Hey, Google" then a command.
- Wake up your screen: Tap it or say "Hey Google."
- Go back to the previous screen: From the left edge of the screen, swipe right or say "Hey Google, go back."
- Go to Home Control: From the top of the screen, swipe down.
- Start Photo frame: On the Home screen, swipe right.
- Turn off your screen: To make the screen dark, say "Hey Google," then "off" or "turn off."
- (US only) Show apps: While on the Photo frame screen, from the bottom of the screen, swipe up to find apps for your display. To find all apps, tap See all. To close, from the top of the screen, swipe down.
Adjust the volume
"Hey Google, turn it up."
"Hey Google, turn it down."
"Hey Google, volume level 5."
"Hey Google, volume level 65%."
You can also adjust the volume on the back of your display. Learn more about volume controls.
Things your family member can say and do with their Nest display
Note: Some features or commands require setup. If you try one of the Assistant commands and it doesn’t work for you, check out the setup instructions or tips for more info. You can also ask the Assistant for help by saying "Hey Google, how do I watch a video?"
Make a video call
"Hey Google, video call [contact]."
"Hey Google, call [contact] on Duo."
"Hey Google, end the call."
"Hey Google, hang up" or tap End call.
On the "Household contacts" card, tap Video call 
"Hey Google, answer" or tap the incoming call on the screen.
Make a phone call
"Hey Google, call [phone number]."
"Hey Google, call [contact name]."
"Hey Google, call [business name]."
"Hey Google, what is the nearest [business]?" then "Hey Google, call them."
"Hey Google, end the call."
"Hey Google, hang up" or tap End call.
On the “Household contacts" card, tap Call 
Make Google supported calls (US, CA, UK) or Use mobile calling (US, AU, IT)
Watch videos
"Hey Google, play funny videos on YouTube."
"Hey Google, show me football highlights on YouTube."
View the weather
"Hey Google, what’s the weather today?"
"Hey Google, will it rain tomorrow?"
"Hey Google, is it sunny in Seattle?"
Listen to music
"Hey Google, play jazz."
"Hey Google, play relaxing music."
"Hey Google, stop" or "Resume"
"Hey Google, play next song."
Listen to the news
"Hey Google, tell me the news."
"Hey Google, listen to news about NASA."
"Listen to [news provider’s name]."
"Hey Google, stop" or "Stop the news."
Listen to the radio
Entertainment
"Hey Google, tell me a joke."
"Hey Google, let’s play a game."
Helpful home
Find my phone
"Hey Google, find my phone."
Link your device and phone number to a Google Account
Set reminders
"Hey Google, remind me to take my medicine every day at 5 PM."
Set alarms
"Hey Google, set an alarm for 6 AM tomorrow."
"Hey Google, set alarm for 7 AM every day of the week."
To stop an alarm or timer, say "Stop."
Tips for settings alarms and timers
Be an interpreter
Your display can translate words or phrases in several different languages.
"Hey Google, how do I say 'Nice to meet you' in French?"
"Hey Google, translate."
You can also turn on interpreter mode to have a conversation with someone in another language.
To start interpreter mode say, "Hey Google, be my Italian interpreter" or "Hey Google, help me speak Spanish."
To stop using interpreter mode, say "Stop."