Google Nest – Fix Phone Location Not Working for Home/Away Assist

Category: Google Nest → Home/Away Assist

Overview

Home/Away Assist and Presence Sensing use your phone's location to determine whether someone is home or away.

If your Nest or Google Home app is not switching correctly between Home and Away modes, review the settings below to improve location accuracy.

Common Symptoms

• Home never switches to Away
• Home remains in Away mode when someone is home
• Presence sensing is inaccurate
• Automations based on location do not run
• Thermostat does not adjust automatically

Step 1: Turn Off Airplane Mode

Airplane Mode disables several services used for location detection.

Verify

✓ Airplane Mode is disabled

Location Flow

Airplane Mode Off
↓
Location Services Available
↓
Presence Detection Works

Step 2: Turn On Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi helps improve location accuracy even when you are not actively connected to a network.

Verify

✓ Wi-Fi is enabled

Why It Matters

Nearby Wi-Fi networks help your phone determine its location more accurately.

Step 3: Enable Location Services

Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Location.
3. Turn Location on.
4. Enable Google Location Accuracy.

iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Turn Location Services on.

Step 4: Enable Wi-Fi Scanning

Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Location.
3. Enable Wi-Fi Scanning.

Why It Matters

Wi-Fi scanning helps improve location accuracy even when Wi-Fi is not actively connected.

Step 5: Turn On Cellular Data

Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & Internet.
3. Tap Mobile Network.
4. Enable Mobile Data.

iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Cellular.
3. Enable Cellular Data.

Important

Presence sensing may become inaccurate if cellular data is disabled.

Step 6: Verify App Permissions

Android

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select Google Home or Nest.
4. Tap Permissions.
5. Verify Location is allowed.

Also Verify

✓ Background Data is allowed

✓ Battery restrictions are disabled

iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Select Google Home.
5. Set location access to Always.

If you use the Nest app, repeat these steps for Nest.

Step 7: Enable Background App Refresh (iPhone)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Background App Refresh.
4. Enable Background App Refresh.
5. Verify Google Home and Nest are allowed.

Why It Matters

The app must run in the background to detect arrivals and departures.

Step 8: Verify Presence Sensing Settings

Google Home App

1. Open Google Home.
2. Tap Profile Picture.
3. Tap Home Settings.
4. Tap Presence Sensing.

Verify

✓ Presence Sensing is enabled

✓ Phone location usage is enabled

✓ Your status updates correctly

✓ Household members have enabled Presence Sensing

Turn Presence Sensing On or Off

1. Open Google Home.
2. Tap Profile Picture.
3. Tap Home Settings.
4. Tap Presence Sensing.
5. Turn Allow This Home To Use Phone Locations on or off.

Presence Flow

Phone Location
↓
Presence Sensing
↓
Home Status Updated
↓
Automations Run

Step 9: Restart the App

If location updates stop working:

1. Close Google Home or Nest.
2. Reopen the app.
3. Verify Presence Sensing is still enabled.

Important

Force-closing apps may temporarily interrupt Home/Away detection until the app is reopened.

Best Practices

✓ Keep Wi-Fi enabled.

✓ Keep Location Services enabled.

✓ Allow "Always" location access.

✓ Enable cellular data.

✓ Enable Background App Refresh.

✓ Verify Presence Sensing regularly.

Quick Reference

Location Issue
↓
Check Airplane Mode
↓
Enable Wi-Fi
↓
Enable Location Services
↓
Verify App Permissions
↓
Verify Presence Sensing
↓
Restart App
↓
Home/Away Working