Google Home Max to drop nest aware sound alerts soon

If you use Nest Aware, you might know that your Google speakers and displays can pick up sounds like smoke alarms or breaking glass. But starting May 8, 2025, Google Home Max will lose this handy feature, and people aren’t sure why.

Google shared the news today in an email titled “Important update about your Google Home Max” sent to owners and Nest Aware users. Normally, when a smart device hears a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm or glass shattering, the Google Home app pings your phone. You can then check security cameras or use the e911 option tied to your plan. While this perk will stick around for other Google gadgets with Nest Aware, the Home Max is getting left out.

The email doesn’t say why this is happening. The Google Home Max, launched in 2017, runs older software (version 1.56.275994) compared to newer devices like the Google Home or Home Mini (version 3.75.456944). Its fancy speaker setup, with extras like audio input and Smart Sound, might be part of the issue. Even though it stopped being sold in late 2020 or early 2021, it still gets updates—but maybe not enough to keep this feature.

Other devices, like the 2nd-gen Nest Mini and Nest Audio, aren’t affected for now. There’s also curiosity about whether older Google devices will get the upcoming Gemini-powered Assistant. That’s still up in the air. For Google Home Max users, this change means no more sound alerts after May 8, 2025. If your setup relies on this, it might be time to lean on your other Nest Aware devices instead. It’s a bummer for fans of the Max, and it leaves us wondering what Google’s next move will be with its smart home lineup.