Talk and listen with Nest camera or doorbell

Talk and Listen lets you talk to people through your camera even when you're away from home. When you’re home, you can also use it on a compatible Google Nest display.

For example, if the Nest camera on your front porch sends you a motion alert, you can open the app to see who’s there. If it’s a delivery person with a package, you can tap the Talk button to tell them to leave the package on the porch. 

• On newer cameras, Talk and Listen works like a video call. You can converse without needing to pause for the audio to switch over.
• On some older cameras that use the Nest app, Talk and Listen works one way at a time. So you'll need to take turns talking and listening.

Google Nest displays

If you have a Nest doorbell, you can also use Talk and Listen on a Google display like Nest Hub Max. For instructions, go to Get doorbell visitor announcements on a speaker or display. Make sure that your doorbell and display have all been added to the same home in the app.

Home app

1. Open the Home app.
2. Tap and hold your device's tile.
3. Tap the microphone  . If the camera is off, tap Turn on.
4. The camera will chime on the other end. This lets the person in front of the camera know you're about to say something. Now you can start conversing.
5. To hang up,  tap the microphone . The camera will chime a second time on the other end, letting the other person know the conversation has concluded.

Nest app

1. Open the Nest app.
2. Choose the camera you want to speak through.
3. Tap Talk .
4. The camera will chime on the other end if you have the Talk and Listen tone enabled letting the person in front of the camera know you're about to say something. Now you can start conversing.
5. When you're done with your conversation tap Talk  to hang up. The camera will chime a second time on the other end if you have the Talk and Listen tone enabled, letting the other person know the conversation has concluded.

Note: On some older cameras (Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam Outdoor) that use the Nest app, Talk and Listen works one way at a time. So you'll need to take turns talking and listening. Here’s how:

1. Open the Nest app.
2. Tap the camera or doorbell you want to speak through
3. Tap Talk  .
4. The camera will chime on the other end. This lets the person in front of the camera know you're about to say something. Now you can start conversing.
5. Tap Done when you’re finished talking. The camera will chime to let the other person you’re done and they can begin speaking.
6. To hang up, tap Talk  . again. The camera will chime a second time on the other end, letting the other person know the conversation has concluded.