Google has made it easier for you to manage your Nest cameras by allowing older models, including the Nest Cam IQ indoor and outdoor cameras released in 2017, to work with the Google Home app. This update, available through a public preview, means you can now control nearly all Nest cams, dating back to 2015, from one convenient app instead of relying on the separate Nest app.
All Nest cams in one place
Over the past year, Google has steadily expanded the ability to control Nest cameras within the Home app. Transferring your Nest Cam IQ cameras to the Google Home app allows you to access features like reviewing video history in both event and timeline views, adjusting camera settings, and live streaming from your favourite tab. This shift aims to simplify your experience, eliminating the need to switch between the Home and Nest apps.
The public preview for this update is rolling out this week. To join, head to the Home app or visit home.google.com. If you’re enrolled in Google’s Public Preview programme, prompts in both the Nest and Home apps will guide you through the transfer process. Notably, Google has confirmed that you can reverse this transfer by moving your Nest Cam IQ devices back to the original Nest app.
Nest Hub Max joins the Home app
Google also lets you manage Nest Hub Max devices through the Home app if you’re part of the public preview. However, unlike the cameras, once you transfer Nest Hub Max to the Home app, you cannot move it back to the Nest app.
This update follows Google’s earlier integration of other Nest devices into the Home app, such as the Nest Cam Indoor (first-generation, wired), Nest Cam Outdoor (first-generation, wired), and the first-generation Nest Hello Doorbell.
The Nest app remains relevant for some devices
While this integration marks a significant shift, Google reassures users that the Nest app will continue to be supported. For now, devices like the Nest Protect smoke detector and the Nest x Yale door lock remain exclusive to the Nest app and cannot yet be managed through the Home app.
This update is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to streamline the smart home experience, making it easier to manage multiple devices in one place.
