How to Browse the Web on Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen

This guide shows you how to open websites, search, and navigate the web using the built-in Chrome browser on your Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen). You’ll learn the exact steps to get online, plus tips for using the touchscreen and voice commands effectively. No extra equipment is needed—just your Nest Hub and a Wi-Fi connection.

What You’ll Need

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) powered on and set up
A stable Wi-Fi network that the device is connected to
A Google Account (already signed in during setup)

Step-by-Step

Wake up your Nest Hub. Say “Hey Google, wake up” or tap the screen. The home screen shows the clock, weather, and your photo frame.
Open the browser. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings panel, then tap the web icon (looks like a globe). Alternatively, say “Hey Google, open Chrome” or “Hey Google, open the browser.” The Chrome app will launch.
Go to a specific website. Tap the address bar at the top of the screen. Use the on-screen keyboard to type the URL (e.g., wikipedia.org). Tap the Go key on the keyboard, or tap the blue arrow button. The page will load.
Search the web. In the address bar, type your search terms (e.g., “weather forecast”) and tap Go. This performs a Google search and shows results. Tap any result to open that page.
Navigate within a page. Use your finger to scroll up and down. Tap links to follow them. To go back, tap the left arrow icon in the top-left corner. To go forward, tap the right arrow (only active if you’ve gone back).
Open a new tab. Tap the square icon with a number (usually top-right) to see your open tabs. Tap the + button to open a new tab. To close a tab, tap the X on its preview.
Use voice search. Tap the microphone icon in the address bar and say your search query, e.g., “best chocolate chip cookie recipe.” The browser will search for it.
Zoom in and out. Pinch with two fingers on the screen to zoom into a page. Double-tap also zooms in and out. This is handy for reading small text.
Bookmark a page. Tap the star icon in the address bar to save the current page. To view bookmarks, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Bookmarks.
Exit the browser. Swipe down from the top and tap the home icon, or just say “Hey Google, go home.” The browser stays open in the background, so you can return to it later.

Common Mistakes

Typing a full URL with spaces. The address bar expects a domain like example.com. If you type words with spaces, it will search instead, which is fine, but if you meant to go directly to a site, omit spaces.
Forgetting to tap “Go” on the keyboard. On the Nest Hub’s keyboard, you must press the Go key (or the arrow) to submit the URL or search. Tapping elsewhere just dismisses the keyboard.
Using voice commands that aren’t recognized. Saying “open Chrome” works, but “browse the web” may not. Stick to “open Chrome” or “open the browser.”
Expecting full desktop functionality. The browser is a mobile version of Chrome. Some complex sites may not display perfectly, and certain features (like extensions) are not available.
Not updating the device. If the browser behaves oddly, check that your Nest Hub’s software is up to date. Go to Settings > System > About, but updates usually install automatically.

Tips

Use voice for quick searches. Instead of typing, say “Hey Google, search for [topic]” while in the browser. It’s faster and more accurate for longer queries.
Pinch to zoom for readability. Many websites have small text. Pinch out to zoom, then scroll with one finger. Double-tap to reset zoom.
Use the back gesture. Swipe from the left edge of the screen to go back a page—it’s quicker than reaching for the arrow.
Keep tabs organized. Close tabs you’re done with to avoid clutter. Tap the tab icon, then the X on each tab you want to close.
Bookmark frequently visited sites. Tap the star icon to save a page. Your bookmarks appear in the bookmarks menu, so you don’t have to type the URL each time.
Cast from your phone. If you find a page on your phone, you can cast it to the Nest Hub. Open Chrome on your phone, tap the three-dot menu, select “Cast,” and choose your Nest Hub. The page will open on the Hub’s browser.

Troubleshooting

Browser won’t open or crashes. Restart the Nest Hub by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, check for system updates in Settings > System > About.

Pages load slowly or not at all. Check your Wi-Fi connection. Swipe down from the top and see if the Wi-Fi icon is connected. If not, go to Settings > Network and reconnect. Also, try moving the Hub closer to your router.

Keyboard not appearing. Tap the address bar again to bring it up. If it still doesn’t show, restart the device.

Voice search not working. Make sure the microphone is not muted (check the switch on the back of the device). Also, speak clearly and ensure the device is not in Do Not Disturb mode.

Page displays incorrectly. Try refreshing the page by tapping the circular arrow icon in the address bar. If that fails, open the page in a new tab.

Can’t find the browser icon. The browser is not on the home screen by default. Swipe down from the top to open quick settings—the globe icon should be there. If not, say “Hey Google, open Chrome” to launch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install other browsers on my Nest Hub?

No. The Nest Hub only supports the built-in Chrome browser. You cannot install Firefox, Safari, or other browsers from the Play Store.

Does the Nest Hub support private browsing?

Yes. Open the three-dot menu and select New Incognito Tab. This opens a private browsing session where your history and cookies are not saved.

Can I download files or apps through the browser?

You can download files like PDFs or images, but you cannot install Android apps from the browser. The Nest Hub is not designed for app installation.

How do I clear browsing history?

Open the three-dot menu, go to History, then tap Clear browsing data. Choose the time range and tap Clear data.

Can I watch videos in the browser?

Yes, many video sites work, including YouTube. However, some sites may not support the browser’s video player. For YouTube, it’s better to use the dedicated YouTube app on the Hub.

Why does the browser keep logging me out of websites?

This can happen if cookies are cleared automatically. To prevent it, go to Settings > Privacy and disable “Clear cookies on exit” if that option exists. Otherwise, you may need to sign in again each time.

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