Connecting a Google Home or Nest Device to the OU Network

Overview
Smart home devices, including the Google Home, Google Nest Mini, and Nest Hub, are unable to connect to the primary WIFI@OU network. These devices lack support for the WPA2-Enterprise security protocol required by WIFI@OU.To use your Google device in university housing, you must register it and connect it to the AccessOU network. This guide provides the official three-part process to get your device online.

Part 1: Find Your Device's MAC Address
A MAC address is a unique identifier required for device registration. The Google Home app only displays this address after a device is connected to Wi-Fi. The following steps use your smartphone's mobile hotspot as a temporary network to find this address.You will need:

  • Your Google Home/Nest device.
  • A smartphone with a mobile hotspot feature.

Steps:

  1. Enable Mobile Hotspot: On your smartphone, enable the personal mobile hotspot feature. Make a note of its name and password.
  2. Begin Google Home Setup: Open the Google Home app on the same smartphone and start the setup process for your device.
  3. Connect to the Hotspot: When the app prompts you to choose a Wi-Fi network, select the mobile hotspot you just enabled.
  4. Complete Initial Setup: Follow all on-screen instructions to get the device fully online and active in your Google Home app. It will use your hotspot for its internet connection during this time.
  5. Locate the MAC Address: Once the device is online in the app:
    • Tap on your device's tile.
    • Tap the Settings icon (a gear) in the top-right corner.
    • Select Device information.
    • Under the "Technical information" section, you will find the MAC address.
    • Write this address down carefully. It is a 12-character string of letters and numbers.

Part 2: Register the MAC Address on AccessOU 

Now, you must register the MAC address with the university's network.

  1. Using a computer or your phone, while connected to WIFI@OU (you may need to temporarily turn off your phone's hotspot for this), open a web browser and navigate to access.ou.edu.
  2. Log in with your OUNet ID and password.
  3. Click Create Device.
  4. Fill out the form. In the MAC address field, carefully enter the 12-character address you wrote down in Part 1 and select Google Device for the Device Type.
  5. Click Create. You should receive an on-screen confirmation and an email to your OU Inbox. Please wait for the confirmation email before proceeding.

Part 3: Connect Your Google Device to the AccessOU Network

In this final phase, you will switch your device's connection from the temporary hotspot to the AccessOU network. This requires re-running the device's network setup.

  1. Return to the Google Home App: Ensure your device is still powered on and showing as online (connected to your mobile hotspot).
  2. Forget the Hotspot Network:
    • Navigate back to the device's Settings page (tap the device, then the gear icon).
    • Tap on Wi-Fi.
    • Tap Forget this network. This command erases the hotspot's credentials and takes the device offline.
  3. Disable Your Mobile Hotspot: You can now turn off the mobile hotspot feature on your smartphone.
  4. Begin the Setup Process Again:
    • Return to the main screen of the Google Home app. At the top left, tap the Plus (+) icon.
    • Tap Set up device.
    • Tap New devices. This will start the process of searching for nearby devices that need configuration.
  5. Follow Setup Prompts:
    • The app will find your disconnected Google device. Select it and follow the on-screen instructions (e.g., confirming a sound, choosing a home/room).
    • When you reach the "Choose a Wi-Fi network" screen, AccessOU will not be in the list.
    • Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Other Wi-Fi Network...
  6. Enter AccessOU Network Details:
    • Manually enter the following information exactly as shown:
      • Network Name (SSID): AccessOU (Note: This is case-sensitive).
      • Security: None
  7. Complete the Connection:
    • Tap Connect. The app will send the new network information to your device.
    • Finish any remaining steps in the setup routine.

Your Google device will now be connected to AccessOU and will appear as an active, online device in your Google Home app. Your setup is complete. 

Print Article