Google Nest Wifi Port Forwarding for a Game Server (Home App)

To port forward a game server on Google Nest Wifi, Nest Wifi Pro or the older Google Wifi, open the Google Home app, go to Wi-Fi, then Settings, then Advanced networking, then Port management, and tap Add. Pick the server PC, enter the game's internal and external port (the same number), choose TCP, UDP or both, and save. The app reserves the device's IP automatically when you create the rule, so it keeps working after restarts.

The menu path, exactly

Google moved Nest Wifi from the old Google Wifi app into Google Home, and the path changes slightly between app versions. The current one:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap the Devices tab or the Wi-Fi tile on the home screen.
3. Tap Settings (gear icon) on the Wi-Fi screen, sometimes labelled Network settings.
4. Tap Advanced networking.
5. Tap Port management.
6. Tap Add (the plus button).

If you do not see Advanced networking, you are not a manager of the Wi-Fi network in Google Home. Ask whoever set it up to add you, or sign in with their account.

Adding the rule

1. On the Add screen, choose the IPv4 tab. This is the port forwarding tab. (The IPv6 tab is for "port opening", covered below.)
2. Select a device: pick the server PC. It needs to be connected right now to show up.
3. Internal port: the port the game server listens on.
4. External port: the same number. For a range, use the format 2456-2457, and the internal and external ranges must be identical.
5. Protocol: TCP, UDP or TCP and UDP.
6. Tap Save.

The rule shows on the Port management list. You can tap it later to edit or delete.

Ports you might need:

If your game is not here, how to port forward a game server has the full table.

IP reservation

Google Wifi reserves the IP for any device you add a port forwarding rule to, so you normally do not need a separate step. If you want to check or set it by hand, go to Advanced networking, then DHCP IP reservations, and add the server PC. That screen also lets you change which address it gets.

IPv6 port opening

Nest Wifi supports IPv6, and when your ISP provides it, each device gets a global IPv6 address. There is no NAT on IPv6, so instead of forwarding you "open" a port on the firewall for that device. Add a rule on the IPv6 tab with the same port and protocol.

Most games and most of your friends will still connect over IPv4, so the IPv4 rule is the one that matters. IPv6 opening only helps when both sides have IPv6 and the game server listens on it. More on that in hosting a game server over IPv6.

Nest Wifi behind an ISP router

Nest Wifi is often plugged into an ISP modem that is also a router. Then Nest gets a private WAN address, and anything you forward on Nest only reaches the ISP router's network.

To check, open the network settings in Google Home and look at the WAN or internet details. If the WAN IP is a private address like 192.168.0.x or 10.0.0.x, you have double NAT. Fix it by putting the ISP box in bridge or passthrough mode so Nest gets the public IP. The double NAT guide covers the details.

Google's Nest routers can also be put into bridge mode themselves, but then they stop doing many of the things that make them useful, including port management. If you go that way, forward on the ISP router instead.

UPnP on Nest Wifi

Under Advanced networking you will also find UPnP. It is on by default on many setups. Some games use it to open ports automatically. Dedicated servers mostly do not, and UPnP is useless through double NAT. A manual rule is reliable; UPnP is a bonus. Read UPnP not working for a game server for why.

Testing and common problems

• Friends cannot connect, port checker says closed. Check the server is running, since a port only shows open while something listens on it, and check the protocol: most survival games are UDP.
• You can join locally but not with the public IP from home. Google Wifi does support NAT loopback in many cases, but it is not guaranteed with every ISP setup. Test from mobile data. Details in why friends cannot connect but you can.
• The device list shows the PC twice. Wired and wireless connections are separate entries. Use the one that is connected, ideally wired.
• Windows Firewall. Allow the server through on Public and Private networks, or add a rule from Windows Firewall rules for a game server.
• Everything checks out but no one can reach you. Your ISP may be using carrier grade NAT. Compare your WAN IP with "what is my IP".

No router at all

The Google Home app makes port forwarding simpler than most, but the server still depends on your PC staying on, your upload speed and your home IP being shared with everyone who joins. A hosted server from GamezServers has its own address and open ports, a control panel for every setting in the game's server template, and one click backups. Browse the games we host.

FAQ

Can I port forward on Google Wifi without the Google Home app?

The old Google Wifi app has been retired for most features. Port management now lives in Google Home on both phones and tablets.

Does Nest Wifi support port ranges?

Yes. Use the format start-end, and keep the internal and external ranges the same.

Why can I not see Port management?

You need manager access to the Wi-Fi network in Google Home, and the Nest router must be in router mode, not bridge mode.

Do I need to restart Nest Wifi after adding a rule?

No. Rules apply as soon as you save. Restart the game server if it was started before the rule existed and it uses UPnP or reports its public address on launch.