Connect Thread smart devices with Google TV Streamer (4K)

What is Thread

Thread is technology designed to connect your smart home and its smart devices. It creates a Thread mesh network which allows your smart devices to communicate directly for faster response times, greater range, and improved reliability.

With Thread, your Google TV Streamer acts as a central hub of your smart home. It enables all your Thread-compatible smart devices (like lights, thermostats, and door locks) to work together seamlessly.

Google products are designed to work together so they can communicate with you and each other in a variety of ways. They typically use Wi-Fi networks but can also use Thread wireless mesh networking.

In a Thread mesh network, Thread devices relay information to each other through Thread mesh extenders.
Homes can have one or more Thread mesh extenders so if one of them goes offline, your Thread devices can find another Thread mesh extender and continue communicating with each other.
Special Thread devices called Thread border routers enable devices to communicate between a Thread network and other networks (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

What is a Thread border router

The Thread border router in your Google device connects your Thread smart device network to the rest of your devices on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet; ensuring they are all communicating as one for Google Home.

The following Google devices can act as a Thread border router with Google Home:

Displays: Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max
Wi-Fi routers: Nest Wifi Pro (Wi-Fi 6E)
Streaming devices: Google TV Streamer (4K)

How Does Thread Work with My Google TV Streamer

Your Google TV Streamer can create a new Thread network or join an existing one. To simplify setup for new devices and provide a backup, it securely stores these credentials in your Google Account. Thread credentials are like a unique key that unlocks your smart home network, ensuring secure communication between authorized devices. This allows for seamless integration with other Google Home devices, creating a more cohesive smart home experience.

What You'll Need:

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

Google TV Streamer (4K)
Thread-enabled smart home device
Latest version of the Google Home app
Latest firmware version of the smart home device app

Thread network setup

Google services

During the setup process of the Google TV Streamer, a Google services screen will appear.
Click on Accept to enable Thread and other Google services on your device.

Google Home app setup

Open your Google Home app .
During setup, follow the instructions until you reach the “Google services” section.
On that page, you can access Thread and other Google services on your device by clicking on Accept.
If you have an existing iOS Thread network, it will ask if you want to add your streaming device to this network.
1. Click Allow if you want to join the existing iOS network.
2. Click Don’t Allow if you want to create another Thread network and not join the existing iOS network.

Turn on/off your Thread network

Here’s how to turn on your Google TV Streamer Thread network connection:

Settings

From Google TV home screen, open All Settings.
Select Network and Internet.
Toggle the “Thread network” switch icon to turn the Google TV Streamer on or off.

Important: If you disable Thread, it will prevent the Google TV Streamer from acting as a Thread border router and communicating with devices directly with Thread. Some of your smart home devices may lose connection or functions. But, it won’t affect the Thread credentials stored in your Google account.

Troubleshoot your Thread issues:

Verify if your Google TV Streamer is connected to your Thread network

Set up your Google TV Streamer with the Google Home app.
Set up your smart home device with the manufacturer’s app (Nanoleaf, for example) on the same mobile device.
Make sure that the firmware version of the manufacturer’s app is updated. If not, update the firmware.
Confirm the connection type is “Thread” in the smart home device app.

Note: To test if the Thread network works, on the smart home device app’s dashboard, select your smart home device and tap a scene to activate it. If you turn off Bluetooth, you should still be able to control the device.

If your device is not connecting

Confirm the device you're trying to connect is Thread-compatible.
Ensure Thread is enabled in your Google TV Streamer settings.
If you have other Thread border router(s) (Example: Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Hub), verify that it is on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Restart both your Google TV Streamer and the Thread border router.

“Thread network not found”

Check that your Google TV Streamer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
Ensure your Thread border router is set up correctly.
Try resetting your Google TV Streamer's network settings.
Update your Google TV software to the latest version.

“Your device requires a Thread border router”

If you see the message "Your device requires a Thread border router," it means that your Google TV streamer with Thread is not currently active and communicating with Thread devices. Here's what you can do:

Make sure your Google TV streamer is powered on.
Check if the Google TV streamer and the phone used to set up Matter end devices are connected to the same network.
Make sure Thread is enabled: Go to Settings Network & Internet on your Google TV streamer and check if the Thread toggle is turned on.
Restart your Google TV streamer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues.
Check for updates: Ensure your Google TV software is updated to the latest version, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements.

To learn more about the benefits of Thread for your smart home devices, Thread credentials, and which Google devices have a Thread border router built in, please read How Google products use Thread.
To learn more about Google and Matter, go to Make connections that Matter in Google Home.
For an illustration of how Thread and Matter devices connect to each other in your home, go to the Thread Group's smart home page.
Find more information about frequently asked questions on privacy and your connected home devices and services.

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