On a Nest Hub Max, access is managed through the home in the Google Home app, not on the display. Open the app, tap Settings, then Members (or Home settings, Members), and invite the person by their Google account email. They accept the invitation in the app with that same account, and then the Hub Max appears under their home.
Google lets you set a person as a member or a manager (an owner role is the one who created the home), and the roles differ in whether they can change devices or invite others. If someone can control the Hub Max by voice but not in the app, or sees an empty home, they are usually signed in with a different Google account than the one invited. Face Match and Voice Match are set up per person, so each member adds their own.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nest displays and smart speakers shared users or family members cannot control it”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The invitation was never accepted
What separates it The person is not listed or sees nothing
How to confirm Resend the invitation and ask them to accept it in the Google Home app
- 2
A different Google account
What separates it They are signed in with another address and see an empty home
How to confirm Sign in with the invited account
- 3
A role that limits what they can do
What separates it They can use the Hub Max but not change settings
How to confirm Change their role in Members
- 4
A home and household mix-up
What separates it They joined a different home
How to confirm Check that they are in the right home in the app
- 5
Voice Match not set up
What separates it Personal results are not recognized
How to confirm Have them set up Voice Match and Face Match on their own account
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The email invited and the account they are signed in with
- The role chosen
- Which home the Hub Max sits in
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedOpen Members
ReversibleIn the Google Home app, open Settings, Members.
Invite by email
ReversibleEnter the person's Google account email and send the invitation.
Accept on their phone
ReversibleThey accept in the Google Home app, signed in with the same account.
Check the role
ReversibleSet whether they are a member or a manager.
Set up Voice Match
ReversibleEach person adds their own Voice Match and Face Match.
Remove people who move out
ReversibleRemove them from Members so access ends at once.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Roles
- Google Home has an owner who created the home, plus members and managers; the options available depend on the role.
- Per-person features
- Voice Match and Face Match belong to each person, not to the household.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Audio.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If an accepted member still sees nothing after signing out and in, contact Google Nest support
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Members and Admins.
Sharing.
Face Match.
Hey Google.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can a guest use my Nest Hub Max without an invitation?+
Anyone in the room can give voice commands, but personal results and app control need an invitation or Guest mode.
How do I remove someone from my Nest Hub Max?+
Open Members in the Google Home app, choose the person and select Remove. Their access ends immediately.
Why does my family member see an empty Google Home?+
They are probably signed in with a different Google account than the one invited, or in another home. Check the account and the home name.
Do members need to set up Face Match themselves?+
Yes. Face Match and Voice Match are personal, so each member adds their own.
Does the Hub Max camera share with members?+
Camera access is controlled by the home's settings and roles. Check the camera options in Google Home and the device settings.