Get started with Nest Aware

What you'll need

• A Google Account
• Residence in a country that supports Nest Aware
• A working internet connection for your home, and access to the Google Home or Nest app (for camera devices purchased before 2021)
• A Nest Camera, doorbell, or display

Note: Some devices might have limited feature availability. View features by device.

To set up Nest Aware

You can subscribe to Nest Aware from the Google Store. Keep Nest notifications on to be alerted of Nest camera motion or sound events, network issues, and additional services reminders.

Learn how to change Nest notification settings

Familiar face detection¹

Your Nest camera can remember familiar faces and notify you when it detects people it doesn't recognize. You can manage your face library to name face profiles, identify new faces, or delete face profiles.

Note: Familiar face detection is available on select older and newer cameras, and might not be available in certain locations.

Sound events

Nest devices (speakers, displays, cameras) with sound detection (US only) enabled can identify emergency events such as the sound of a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, or breaking glass. With sound detection on, any home member can get a notification, hear a short recording, or listen live on the device.

Learn how to set up sound detection on your camera or how to set up on a speaker or display

Emergency Calling

With Emergency Calling (US only) you can use the Home app to contact an emergency call center closest to your home even when you're away. Emergency calls can be made from the "Activity" tab during emergency events. To use emergency calling, you must complete setup in the Home app.

Push notifications

Google Nest products can send push notifications to let you know about important events, emergencies, and technical issues. Enable Nest notifications to receive alerts about familiar faces, sound events, and emergency calling.

Nest Aware comes with 30 days of event video history that lets you watch and save video clips of activity. Upgrade to Nest Aware Plus and get 60 days of event video history, plus 10 days of 24/7 continuous video history, so you can go back and see moments before, during, and after an event. You can view your video history in the Home app or on Google Home for web.

Note: How many days of event video history and 24/7 video you get is based on your Nest camera model and Nest Aware subscription.

Here's how to access your camera's video history:

Home app

Google Home for web

1. Go to home.google.com.
2. Sign in to the Google Account you use to manage your devices in the mobile app.
3. Select your camera's name or live feed. The screen will show the camera's event video history on one side and its live feed on the other.

Note: Video history on Google Home for web is available only for cameras in the Home app. Learn how to migrate devices to the Home app.

Learn more about event and 24/7 video history

Nest Aware subscriptions are automatically billed to your saved payment method every month or year. Renewals are based on the billing cycle you selected when you purchased your Nest Aware subscription.

Important: If your subscription lapses, you'll lose access to your video history and face library.

You can manage your subscriptions on the Google Store.

Learn more about managing your Nest Aware subscription

Get fast tracked to 24/7 Nest Aware Premier Care² experts that help resolve your Nest Aware and camera features and Nest Aware subscription issues faster.