Connect Google WiFi To Existing Router

While Google WiFi is undoubtedly a handy innovation, you must be wondering how to connect Google WiFi to an existing router. 

While connecting your Google WiFi to an existing non-Google router is possible, we would not recommend using that method. 

It puts your network at risk of double NAT and reverses the advantages you could gain if you used a Google Nest router. 

We’ll help you extend your network and cover all the areas in your home using Google WiFi points and an existing router. 

Table of Contents

• Can You Use Google WiFi with an Existing Router
• How to Connect Google WiFi to Existing Router
  • Enabling Bridge Mode.
  • Setting Up The Google WiFi Network
  • Extending Coverage With Google Nest WiFi 
• How To Replace An Existing Router with Google Nest WiFi
• Conclusion: Should You Use Your Existing Router with Google WiFi?

Can You Use Google WiFi with an Existing Router

A typical router

Quick answer? Yes, you can use Google WiFi with an existing router. But there’s more to it than a fast plug-and-play. 

The Google WiFi device is a home WiFi device that creates a mesh network and extends coverage in an expansive house. 

Ideally, you can place Google WiFi devices in various areas around your house to get maximum coverage.  

Still, you first must connect the Google WiFi to a router or modem. 

If you already have a router you don’t want to replace; you can connect it to your Google WiFi points. However, there are limitations. 

Firstly, Google prefers to create a Google eco-system. Therefore, you will find a setup package consisting of a Google router and Google Wi-Fi points. 

While you can achieve better speeds with a complete Google eco-system, using your existing router will require an additional modem. 

Consequently, you might experience lags and lower speeds. 

How to Connect Google WiFi to Existing Router

A dual-band router supporting multiple devices

Since we’ve established you can have a Google WiFi-existing router connection, ensure you meet the following requisites. 

• Do you have a high-speed modem? 
• Does your existing router support bridging?
• Do you have a Google WiFi router?

Proceed to the connection if you have all the above. 

Procedure:

1. Hook up the router to a modem with an Ethernet cable.
2. Take another Ethernet cable to connect a Google WiFi router to your non-Google router. These first two steps are to establish a communication line.

Enabling Bridge Mode.

Enabling Bridge Mode stops the router from translating network addresses. It can only provide internet access but won’t establish a network.

3. Connect an Ethernet cable to your PC.
4. Enter the default router address 192.168.1.1. This address takes you to the router admin.
5. Open the router’s gateway settings, where you must enter a username and password. Note: Some routers have default usernames and passwords. Use those credentials if you don’t have a custom username and password. 
6. Go to the services tab, where you will find the DHCP settings. Check the DHCP server button. This step is to assign addresses to devices that will use the network.
7. Enable bridge mode. Check the ‘ADVANCED,’ ‘LAN,’ or ‘INTERNET’ settings to find the bridge option. It’s different in every router model. If you enable Bridge mode successfully, the existing router won’t have an address or WiFi connectivity.
8. Use an ethernet cable and establish a connection between the Google WiFi router and the existing router.

Setting Up The Google WiFi Network

Before setting up the Google WiFi network, you must have the Google Home App. Download and install it from Android Play Store or the iPhone app store. 

9. Open the Google Home app.
10.  Click the (+) to create a ‘New Home.’
11. Click (+) and open the “Set up device’ option. It’ll scan the area for devices and identify your Google WiFi device. 
12. Once it identifies the device, it’ll bring up a prompt to scan a QR code. 
13. Scan the QR code on the underside of your Google WiFi. 
14. Once it reads the QR code and connects, hit NEXT to set up the room and input the device password. 

Up to this point, you have connected the Google WiFi to Google servers and the existing router through a modem and Google WiFi router. 

Extending Coverage With Google Nest WiFi 

A smart home device in the foreground

Now that all your connections are up and running, you can add other Google WiFi points to cover more areas in the house. 

Google Nest WiFi devices are compatible with Google WiFi. Therefore, creating a mesh network with different devices should be easy. 

Follow this procedure. 

1. Power on the Google Nest WiFi point. 
2. Open the Google Home app.
3. Click the (+) icon to open the add and manage panel.
4. Select ‘Set up device’ It’ll open a new panel asking whether you’d like to set up a new device or an existing device. 
5. Click ‘Set up a new device.’ You’ll be taken to a new screen to choose a home. 
6. Select the default option, Home. The app will start searching for devices. 
7. Select Next once the app identifies the Nest device. 
8. Enter the 8-digit code found on the bottom of any Google Nest WiFi device.
9. Click Next. 
10. Select the ‘Yes, add to existing’ option. This step is because there’s already a Google WiFi device set up. The app will ask whether you’d like to import the Google WiFi network into the Home app. 
11. Click ‘I agree’ on adding Google WiFi settings to the app. 
12. Click OK on the next screen to turn on the WiFi router and point usage stats. Then click No, thanks to Nest Cloud WiFi services. 
13. As the Nest point is connected, you’ll hear a chime. Click Yes when asked if you heard the chime.
14. Identify the location in your home where you’ve put the Nest device. 
15. Select Next to complete the connection. 

How To Replace An Existing Router with Google Nest WiFi

We’ve established using a Google WiFi with your existing non-Google router negates the benefits of keeping the router.

 Also, you might not like placing your router in Bridge mode. Consequently, consider replacing the existing router with a Google Nest WiFi router to experience better speeds and a complete Google ecosystem. 

Here’s how to use a Google Nest WiFi with other Google WiFi points. 

1. Unplug your existing router from the modem.
2. Plug your modem into the Google Nest WiFi’s WAN port. 
3. Place the Google Nest WiFi in an open position near the modem
4. Power on the Google Nest WiFi. It’ll blink and settle on blinking white. Now you can set it up. 
5. Go to your Google Home app. Hit the + icon to proceed to the Devices menu.
6. Add a new device. 
7. Choose Home. It’ll show you a list of all available devices. Select the Nest WiFi. 
8. Use your smartphone’s QR code scanner to scan the code at the bottom of your device. 
9. Pick the location of your device.
10. Provide a name and passcode for the device. 

The device will establish a connection and show in the Google Home app as part of the network devices. 

Repeat this process in different rooms with up to five more Google Nest WiFi devices.

Since the Google Nest WiFi devices can send and receive 2.4 and 5 GHz band signals, each device can support about 200 devices. 

A Google Nest router with only one Nest point will cover slightly less than 4000 square feet. 

However, adding another point will increase your range to about 5500 square feet.

 Every Google Nest WiFi device you add can widen your range by about 1500 sq ft. 

Conclusion: Should You Use Your Existing Router with Google WiFi?

Your current non-Google may be super fast and efficient. You don’t need to toss it aside to set up Google WiFi devices to boost home coverage. 

You can use the devices with the existing router. However, you might get hit with inconveniences such as double NAT. 

Still, you can go around the double NAT problem by enabling bridge mode or activating DMZ. 

The best part is you can replace the existing router with a Google Nest Wifi Device and create a mesh network to cover your home.