Search camera history for the Google Home app

Search camera history is a new AI-powered feature available to Home app users. With the help of generative AI, you can search for specific events recorded by your cameras. Check events by asking questions like:

Did the dog go outside today?
Was the trash taken to the street yesterday?
Did the USPS truck stop by yet today?

If you’ve opted in, Search camera history will search your camera’s event history and recorded data to give you a summary of what happened in or around your home.

Who can use Search camera history

Search camera history is currently rolling out to select Public Preview participants who have a Nest Aware Plus subscription. You also need to opt in to the terms of usage before you can use this feature.

Important:

Search camera history is rolling out gradually and may not be available to you yet.
This feature will only be available on Nest cameras set up in Google Home App and legacy cameras that have been migrated to the Home app.

This feature has limited language support. It is currently only available in the USA (English). This feature is not available in Illinois.

How to opt in for Search camera history

To use Search camera history, you must agree to the terms of usage and data sharing. To opt in:

Tap the Public Preview icon.
Activate the Experimental AI features button.

Note: This toggle only appears if you are opted into Public Preview and have a Nest Aware Plus subscription.
On the Terms page, read and scroll down tap Agree to give your consent. The Experimental AI features button is now on.

Another way to opt in is through in-app messages, like offers from your Home app Inbox. Just follow the on-screen steps after tapping Learn more.

Once you've opted in, you'll be able to access all experimental AI features for which you're eligible. Eligibility criteria for each feature may vary. For a more detailed description of the opt-in process, go to Public Preview for Google Home app.

How to opt out of experimental AI features

If for some reason you want to stop the use of experimental AI features, you can opt out and withdraw your consent.

Tap the Public Preview icon.
Turn off the Experimental AI features toggle.
The Experimental AI features toggle is now turned off.

Once opted out, you’ll need to review and agree to the terms again if you decide to opt in at a later time.

How to use Search camera history

Once you’ve joined Public Preview and opted in to the use of experimental AI features, a search box will be available on top of the Activity tab.

To start your search, tap the Search camera history box. Enter what you want to look for or use one of the suggested searches. The first time you use the search box, you’ll need to review and agree to the terms before using this feature.

If no events matched your search, try changing your search terms. If your search results don’t match what you were looking for, you can provide feedback in the app.

Note:

When a single person is detected during a camera event, the AI caption and description might include their name if they're in your familiar face library. However, when multiple people are detected, the caption and description won't include their names.
If you search your camera events for someone in your familiar face library, the results include any event when their face was detected, even if other people were there.
Help me create is expanding its capabilities. Not all devices, behaviors, and functionalities are supported at launch, but we're actively working to add more options. To find out what's currently supported, check Supported behaviors and Known issues for Help me create.

Activity filters won’t affect your search results. If you have filters set up for a specific date range, your search will still get results from outside that range.

How to provide feedback

Search camera history is still in the early stages of development, so search results may vary at times. To help improve its accuracy and use of generative AI, participants are encouraged to provide immediate feedback.

After the search results are displayed, a Feedback bar will ask “Are these results accurate?”
Tap Thumbs up or down to confirm if the results are accurate or not. To dismiss the Feedback bar, tap .
1. If you tap Thumbs down , a bottom sheet will appear. Although optional, you may type in your additional feedback or select from suggested options.
2. Tap Submit once you’re done. Otherwise, tap Not now to close the sheet.

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?