What You Need
The hardware requirements are straightforward:
A Nuki Smart Lock Pro (4th Gen) or Nuki Smart Lock Ultra. Both have built-in Thread radios, which Matter uses for communication. If you have an older Nuki Smart Lock 3.0, you'll need the Nuki Bridge to connect — but the experience won't be as seamless (more latency, cloud dependency).
A Google Home device that supports Matter. This includes the Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, Nest Mini (2nd gen), Nest Audio, and Nest Wifi Pro. These devices serve as Thread border routers, which is the mesh network that connects your Nuki to Google Home. If you're not sure if your device supports it, check the Google Home app under Settings → Devices.
The Google Home app on your phone (Android or iOS). You'll use this for initial setup and managing automations. That's all — no extra bridges or adapters needed.
Setting Up with Matter
Here's how to pair your Nuki with Google Home:
1. In the Nuki app, go to your lock's settings and tap Smart Home → Matter. The app will display a QR code and a numeric pairing code.
2. Open the Google Home app. Tap "Devices" at the bottom, then "+" to add a new device. Select "New device" and choose your home.
3. Google Home will search for nearby Matter devices. When it finds your Nuki, tap to connect. You can either scan the QR code from the Nuki app or enter the numeric code manually.
4. Assign the lock to a room (e.g., "Front door" in "Entryway"). The room name and device name are what Google Assistant uses for voice commands, so pick something natural.
5. Wait for setup to complete. Google Home will configure the Thread connection and verify that the lock responds. This usually takes 1–2 minutes.
Once done, your Nuki appears in the Google Home app with a lock/unlock toggle. You can tap it to control the lock remotely, or use voice commands.
Google Assistant Voice Commands
Voice control is where the daily convenience kicks in. Once your Nuki is connected, you can say:
"Hey Google, lock the front door" — the door locks immediately. "Hey Google, unlock the front door" — for security, Google will ask you to confirm with your phone's PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock before actually unlocking. This prevents anyone in earshot from unlocking your door. "Hey Google, is the front door locked?" — Google tells you the current status.
These commands work on every Google device in your home — Nest Hub, Nest speakers, your phone, and even Wear OS watches. The confirmation step for unlocking adds about 3 seconds, but it's a security feature you'll appreciate.
Pro tip: If you name your lock simply "front door" or "haustür" (for German-speaking households), the voice commands feel more natural. "Hey Google, lock the front door" flows better than "Hey Google, lock the Nuki Smart Lock 4 Pro."
Routines & Automations
Google Home routines let you bundle actions together. Here are the most practical ones for a smart lock:
Bedtime routine: "Hey Google, good night" → lock the front door + turn off lights + set thermostat to 18°C + activate alarm. One command secures the whole house.
Leaving routine: "Hey Google, I'm leaving" → lock the front door + turn off all lights + lower the thermostat. Perfect for the morning rush.
Arriving home: You can set up a routine that triggers when your phone connects to your home WiFi (presence sensing). It won't auto-unlock for security reasons, but it can turn on lights, adjust the thermostat, and send you a notification to unlock the door.
Guest mode: Create a routine like "Hey Google, guest mode" → unlock the front door for 5 minutes + turn on porch light. Useful when you're expecting a delivery or a friend.
Time-based: Lock the front door every night at 11 PM. Simple, effective, and you never have to think about it again. Set this up as a scheduled routine in the Google Home app.
Routines are created in the Google Home app under Automations. You can trigger them by voice, by schedule, or by presence (when someone arrives/leaves).
Nest Hub Display
If you have a Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max, your lock status appears right on the screen. The Home panel shows a lock icon that you can tap to lock or unlock (with PIN confirmation for unlock).
This is surprisingly useful in daily life. A quick glance at the Nest Hub on your nightstand tells you whether the door is locked — no need to get up, open an app, or ask Google. The status updates in near real-time thanks to the Thread connection.
You can also create a Favorites view on your Nest Hub that puts your most-used devices front and center. Add the front door lock alongside your lights and thermostat for a one-screen smart home control panel.
The Nest Hub also shows lock activity in the device history. Tap the lock icon, scroll down, and you'll see a timeline of lock/unlock events — useful for checking when someone arrived or left.
Tips & Troubleshooting
A few things to keep in mind:
Thread range matters. Your Google Nest device needs to be within about 10–15 meters of the Nuki lock for a reliable Thread connection. If your lock is far from your Nest Hub, consider adding a Nest speaker or Nest Wifi Pro point closer to the door — Thread devices form a mesh, so each one extends the range.
Keep firmware updated. Both the Nuki Smart Lock and your Google Nest devices should run the latest firmware. Matter is still relatively new, and both Google and Nuki regularly push improvements. In the Nuki app, check for updates under Settings → Firmware. For Nest devices, updates are automatic.
If the lock shows "Offline" in Google Home, try these steps in order: (1) Check that your Nest Hub is powered on and connected to WiFi. (2) In the Nuki app, verify that Matter is still enabled under Smart Home → Matter. (3) Reset the Matter connection in the Nuki app and re-pair in Google Home. (4) Restart your Nest Hub by unplugging it for 10 seconds.
Multiple users: Everyone in your Google Home household can control the lock. Each person needs to confirm their identity before unlocking (using their own phone's PIN/biometric). You manage household members in Google Home → Settings → Household.
For the best experience, make sure your home has good WiFi coverage near the Nest device that serves as the Thread border router. Thread itself doesn't need WiFi, but the Nest device needs WiFi to communicate with the Google Home cloud for remote access and routines.