Article Summary:
The backplate and line voltage adapter for 2nd generation Nest Protects are different from the 1st generation. You can easily remove your 1st generation Nest Protect and install your 2nd generation Nest Protect in just a few minutes. Follow the steps in this article to learn how.
Compare components:
If you’re replacing a 1st generation Nest Protect with a 2nd generation Nest Protect, be sure to use the parts that come in the 2nd generation Nest Protect’s box. The 2nd gen Nest Protect can’t be installed with 1st gen Nest Protect’s parts.
Here are some pictures of the different components for 1st gen Nest Protect and 2nd gen Nest Protect:
1st generation Nest Protect
2nd generation Nest Protect
120V power connector
120V power connector
Nest backplate (1st gen)
Nest backplate (2nd gen wired)
Nest backplate (2nd gen battery)
You can have a Nest Pro uninstall the 1st gen Nest Protects that you’re replacing and install your 2nd gen Nest Protects for you, or do it yourself. After they've installed and helped you set up your Nest Protects, they'll give you a demo and answer any questions you have.
To remove your 1st gen Nest Protect and install your 2nd gen Nest Protect yourself, you will need:
- A Wi-Fi connection
- Your Wi-Fi password
- A phone or tablet (iOS or Android)
- A Phillips screwdriver
Select your Nest Protect
Each kind of Nest Protect has different installation instructions. Select the Nest Protect that you have (if you're not sure, click here):
2nd gen wired Nest Protect
2nd gen battery powered Nest Protect
How to remove your 1st gen wired Nest Protect and install your 2nd gen wired Nest Protect
Learn more about the Nest app >
Important: If you already have the Nest app installed on your smartphone or tablet, make sure it’s the latest version before setting up your 2nd gen Nest Protect. You’ll need to have version 5.0 or later of the Nest app to set up 2nd gen Nest Protect.
How do I remove Nest Protect from my Nest Account? >
After you remove your 1st gen Nest Protect from your Nest Account, set up your 2nd gen Nest Protect before removing the 1st gen Nest Protect from the ceiling or wall.
The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the 2nd gen Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the Internet, and connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home.
Tip: Lay everything out on a table for easy setup.
How to set up a 2nd gen Nest Protect with the Nest app >
Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a plastic cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until you install it to the ceiling or wall.
Protect yourself and avoid blowing a fuse. Switch off the correct circuit breaker for the room where you are installing Nest Protect or remove the fuse from the fuse box.
Warning: Failure to turn off power may result in serious electrical shock, injury, or death.
To prevent electrical shock, make sure the green power light is off on the 1st gen Nest Protect. Twist the Nest Protect counterclockwise to detach it from the backplate. Carefully remove it to keep from damaging your ceiling or wall.
Turn the wire nuts counterclockwise to unscrew and detach the 120V connector from your old Nest Protect.
The exposed wire coming from the ceiling should be straight.
Unscrew the backplate from the electrical box. Save the screws to install the 2nd gen Nest Protect backplate.
Hold the white wire ends together, cap them with a wire nut and twist clockwise until it's secure. Do the same with the black wires.
There’s still no need for the red/orange/yellow interconnect wire or any extra wires that you may have of any color. Simply cap any extra wires, separately, with wire nuts and twist clockwise until secure.
Screw the Nest backplate to the existing electrical box, reusing the existing screws. You can also screw the backplate directly into the wall or ceiling with the Nest screws.
When installing the backplate, the larger black ring on the underside of the backplate should be facing toward the ceiling or wall. The Nest logo on the front side should be visible, facing outward toward the room as shown in the picture above.
Important Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so remove any dust before you install your 2nd generation Nest Protect. Before connecting power and attaching it to its backplate, be sure to thoroughly clean the area so that no dust or debris from the ceiling get onto the new Nest Protect.
Plug the 120V connector into the back of your 2nd gen Nest Protect.
First, tuck any excess wiring into the electrical box. Line up the three tabs on the back of your 2nd gen Nest Protect with the notches on the backplate. Hold Nest Protect against the backplate and turn it clockwise. After a short turn, Nest Protect will stay attached to the ceiling or wall.
After Nest Protect has been attached, you can continue turning it forward or backward in small increments to align it with the ceiling or wall.
Tip: To remove it (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn off power to your Nest Protect at the breaker box or remove the fuse first. Then turn counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.
Press the Nest button on the newly installed 2nd gen Nest Protect. It will tell you what to do next. Every Nest Protect in the house should speak up, confirming that they're connected to each other.
How and when should I test my Nest Protect? >
Important note: If one of your Nest Protects doesn't speak up or sound its alarm during the test, try moving it closer to your other Nest Protects and testing again. It should be located within 50 feet of another Nest Protect, but its range may be affected by your home's construction or interference from other wireless electronics.
What is wireless interference and how do I troubleshoot it? >
If it still doesn't speak up during the test, reset it to defaults and add it to your Nest Account again.
How do I reset the Nest Protect and remove all my personal settings? >
1. Get the Nest app
Before you install your 2nd gen Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, you’ll need to remove your 1st gen Nest Protect from your Nest Account and set up your 2nd gen Nest Protect with the Nest app. If you don’t already have the app, download it from the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™.
2. Remove 1st gen Nest Protect from Nest Account
Before uninstalling and removing your 1st generation Nest Protect from the ceiling or wall, remove it from your Nest Account. Go to Settings in the Nest app and follow the steps in the following article to learn how:
3. Set up 2nd gen Nest Protect
4. Turn off power
5. Remove your 1st gen Nest Protect
6. Remove the 1st gen connector
7. Remove the 1st gen backplate
8. Attach the 2nd gen connector
9. Install the 2nd gen backplate
10. Connect power
11. Install your 2nd gen Nest Protect
12. Switch power back on or replace the fuse
13. Press to test
If you’re replacing more 1st gen Nest Protects, just follow the same process from beginning to end for each 1st gen Nest Protect that you are replacing.
How to remove your 1st gen battery powered Nest Protect and install your 2nd gen battery powered Nest Protect
Learn more about the Nest app >
Important: If you already have the Nest app installed on your smartphone or tablet, make sure it’s the latest version before setting up your 2nd gen Nest Protect. You’ll need to have version 5.0 or later of the Nest app to set up 2nd gen Nest Protect.
How do I remove Nest Protect from my Nest Account? >
After you remove your 1st gen Nest Protect from your Nest Account, set up your 2nd gen Nest Protect before removing the 1st gen Nest Protect from the ceiling or wall.
The Nest app will guide you through each step: scanning the 2nd gen Nest Protect QR code, connecting it to the Internet, and connecting it to other Nest Protects in your home.
Tip: Lay everything out on a table for easy setup.
How to set up a 2nd gen Nest Protect with the Nest app >
Tip: Your Nest Protect came packed in a plastic cover. Keep the cover on so your Nest Protect stays clean until you install it to the ceiling or wall.
Twist the 1st gen Nest Protect counterclockwise to detach it from the backplate. Carefully remove it to keep from damaging your ceiling or wall. Unscrew and remove the 1st gen Nest backplate.
Screw the Nest backplate to the ceiling or wall using the included screws.
When installing the backplate, the larger black ring on the underside of the backplate should be facing toward the ceiling or wall. The Nest logo on the front side should be visible, facing outward toward the room as shown in the picture above.
Important Tip: All smoke alarms prefer to live in a dust free area, so remove any dust before you install your 2nd generation Nest Protect. Before connecting power and attaching it to its backplate, be sure to thoroughly clean the area so that no dust or debris from the ceiling get onto the new Nest Protect.
Line up the three tabs on the back of your Nest Protect with the notches on the backplate. Hold Nest Protect against the backplate and turn it clockwise. After a short turn, Nest Protect will stay attached to the ceiling or wall.
After Nest Protect has been attached, you can continue turning it forward or backward in small increments to align it with the ceiling or wall.
Tip: To remove your Nest Protect (for cleaning or battery replacement), turn it counterclockwise until it disconnects from the backplate.
Press the Nest button on the newly installed 2nd gen Nest Protect. It will tell you what to do next. Every Nest Protect in the house should speak up, confirming that they're connected to each other.
How and when should I test my Nest Protect? >
Important note: If one of your Nest Protects doesn't speak up or sound its alarm during the test, try moving it closer to your other Nest Protects and testing again. It should be located within 50 feet of another Nest Protect, but its range may be affected by your home's construction or interference from other wireless electronics.
What is wireless interference and how do I troubleshoot it? >
If it still doesn't speak up during the test, reset it to defaults and add it to your Nest Account again.
How do I reset the Nest Protect and remove all my personal settings? >
1. Get the Nest app
Before you install your 2nd gen Nest Protect on the ceiling or wall, you’ll need to remove your 1st gen Nest Protect from your Nest Account and set up your 2nd gen Nest Protect with the Nest app. If you don’t already have the app, download it from the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™.
2. Remove 1st gen Nest Protect from Nest Account
Before uninstalling and removing your 1st generation Nest Protect from the ceiling or wall, remove it from your Nest Account. Follow the steps in the following article to learn how:
3. Set up 2nd gen Nest Protect
4. Remove your 1st gen Nest Protect
5. Install the 2nd gen Nest backplate
6. Install your 2nd gen Nest Protect
7. Press to test
If you’re replacing more 1st gen Nest Protects, just follow the same process from beginning to end for each 1st gen Nest Protect that you are replacing.