**Google Eliminates the ‘Call Home’ Function from Nest Smart Displays**
Google has recently eliminated the “Call Home” button from its Home app, leading to inconvenience for numerous Nest smart display users. This feature, launched in 2019, enabled users to effortlessly call their smart displays directly from their phones without the need for extra phone numbers or apps. It was especially favored by parents who utilized it to check in on their children while away from home.
The removal of this feature has left users feeling irritated, as it was a key component of their daily habits. Google has not offered an official explanation for this modification, and support agents have merely recommended that users provide feedback. Speculation indicates that this could be part of a larger revamp of Google’s smart-home ecosystem, potentially connected to the new Gemini integration and modifications to the Home app.
At present, the sole alternative is to use Google Meet per device, which requires establishing unique Google accounts and navigating a tedious setup process. This option is far from the smooth experience that the “Call Home” button offered.
This alteration is reminiscent of previous occasions when Google has simplified its services at the cost of features users have become accustomed to, such as when Google Keep reminders were transitioned to Tasks. It remains unclear whether Google will bring back the “Call Home” feature in another format or if it has been permanently discarded. Until an official announcement is made, Nest users will have to adjust to the change or seek other smart-home alternatives.
