Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell doesn't connect Google WiFi Mesh

[bvig1]

Documenting my findings to resolve issue similar to Solved: Video Doorbell doesn't connect to 2.4 wifi network... - Arlo Community

Existing Setup:

• Arlo Base Station VB4000
• Arlo Pro Cameras
• Google Home WiFi AC-1304; qty (3) in mesh
• Apple iPhone running iOS v17.4

Symptom:

1. Followed install instructions
2. Connected to a strong WiFi signal on iPhone
3. Using Arlo app, the bell light is solid white, finds base station, validates it's running current firmware
4. Press the doorbell which causes the white leds to flash (starting discovery / sync)
5. App is unable to find new doorbell and eventually times out

Problem:
Unable to add Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell when using Google Home WiFi mesh and iPhone devices.

1. Google Home WiFi: Combines both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into a single SSID name, so unable to select just the 2.4 GHz network. Unable to force use of 2.4 GHz WiFi only network in Google Home app.
2. Apple iPhone: Automatically uses the best connection it can, so with a strong signal it will never use 2.4 GHz. Unable to force use of 2.4 GHz WiFi.

Fix: Force 2.4 GHz by creating a poor WiFi signal

1. Reset the camera back to defaults (reset button between terminals)
2. Power off all but one Google WiFi access point (AP) router
3. Wrap the AP in heavy duty aluminum foil (aka make a paranoid tin-foil hat)
4. Nest the device in a metal sauce pan and pot
5. Turn-off iPhone Cellular (not sure if this helped or not)
6. Walk through setup again but hopefully now you only have a two-bar WiFi signal

Hope this is helpful for others.