How to Use Google Nest Hub as Security Camera

Learn how to use your Google Nest Hub as a security camera by connecting it to a Nest Cam or compatible camera. Enable live view, motion alerts, and two-way talk for home monitoring—no extra hardware needed.

Key Takeaways

• Nest Hub can display live camera feeds: Use it as a smart display for real-time video from Nest Cams or compatible cameras.
• Set up motion and sound alerts: Get notified on your Nest Hub when motion or unusual sounds are detected.
• Use two-way audio for communication: Speak through the Nest Hub’s speaker and mic to interact with people or pets at home.
• Enable Always On display mode: Keep the camera feed visible 24/7 with minimal battery drain using Ambient Mode.
• Works with Google Home app: All camera settings and controls are managed through the Google Home app for seamless integration.
• Privacy controls are built-in: Mute the mic, disable the camera, or use physical switches to protect your privacy.
• Compatible with multiple cameras: Monitor different rooms or areas by switching between connected cameras on the Nest Hub.

How to Use Google Nest Hub as Security Camera

Did you know your Google Nest Hub can do more than play music, show the weather, or help with recipes? With the right setup, it can double as a smart security camera monitor—giving you peace of mind whether you’re in another room or away from home. Whether you have a Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Outdoor, or Floodlight) or a compatible third-party camera, your Nest Hub can display live video feeds, send alerts, and even let you talk to people at home.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use your Google Nest Hub as a security camera step by step. You’ll learn how to connect your camera, enable live view, customize alerts, and use voice commands. We’ll also cover privacy tips, troubleshooting, and advanced features to help you get the most out of your smart home setup. No technical expertise required—just follow along, and you’ll be monitoring your home like a pro in no time.

What You’ll Need

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

• A Google Nest Hub (1st or 2nd generation) or Nest Hub Max
• A Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Outdoor, Wired, Battery, or Floodlight)
• The Google Home app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android)
• A stable Wi-Fi connection
• A Google account signed in on both the Nest Hub and the app

Note: While the Nest Hub works best with Nest Cams, some third-party cameras that support Google Assistant may also work, but with limited features.

Step 1: Set Up Your Google Nest Cam

If you haven’t already set up your Nest Cam, you’ll need to do that first. The Nest Hub acts as a display for your camera, so the camera must be properly configured and connected to your Google account.

Download and Open the Google Home App

Open the Google Home app on your phone. If you don’t have it, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Sign in with the same Google account you use on your Nest Hub.

Add Your Nest Cam

1. Tap the + (plus) icon in the top-left corner.
2. Select Set up device.
3. Choose New device.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code on your Nest Cam or enter the setup code manually.
5. Connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network.
6. Name your camera (e.g., “Front Door,” “Living Room”) and assign it to a room in your home.

Once set up, your camera will appear in the Google Home app. You can now proceed to connect it to your Nest Hub.

Step 2: Connect Your Nest Cam to the Nest Hub

Now that your camera is active, it’s time to link it to your Nest Hub so you can view the feed directly on the screen.

Open the Google Home App

Launch the Google Home app and make sure you’re on the home screen. You should see your Nest Hub and Nest Cam listed under your devices.

Link the Camera to the Hub

1. Tap on your Nest Hub in the app.
2. Scroll down and tap Camera.
3. Tap Add camera.
4. Select your Nest Cam from the list.
5. Confirm the connection.

Once linked, your Nest Hub will be able to display the live feed from your camera. You can repeat this process to add multiple cameras—perfect for monitoring different areas of your home.

Step 3: Enable Live View on the Nest Hub

With your camera connected, you can now view the live feed directly on your Nest Hub. Here’s how to access it.

Use Voice Commands

The easiest way to view your camera is by using voice commands. Say:

• “Hey Google, show me the [camera name] camera.”
• “Hey Google, show the front door.”
• “Hey Google, display the living room camera.”

The live feed will appear on your Nest Hub screen within seconds. The video is streamed in real time, so you’ll see exactly what’s happening at that moment.

Use the Touchscreen

If you prefer not to use voice commands, you can also access the camera manually:

1. Wake up your Nest Hub by tapping the screen or saying “Hey Google.”
2. Swipe up from the bottom to open the quick settings menu.
3. Tap the Camera icon.
4. Select the camera you want to view.

The live feed will load instantly. You can pinch to zoom in or out, depending on your Nest Hub model.

Step 4: Set Up Motion and Sound Alerts

One of the best features of using your Nest Hub as a security camera is receiving real-time alerts when something happens. You can configure your Nest Cam to notify you—and display alerts—on your Nest Hub.

Enable Activity Zones

Activity Zones let you define specific areas in the camera’s view where you want to be alerted (e.g., your front walkway or driveway).

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap your Nest Cam.
3. Tap the gear icon to open settings.
4. Select Activity Zones.
5. Tap Create Zone and draw a box around the area you want to monitor.
6. Name the zone (e.g., “Driveway”) and choose whether to detect people, vehicles, or animals.

Now, when motion is detected in that zone, your Nest Hub will show an alert and play a sound (if enabled).

Adjust Alert Sensitivity

To avoid false alarms (like a tree swaying in the wind), adjust the sensitivity:

1. In the camera settings, tap Motion Alerts.
2. Use the slider to set sensitivity from low to high.
3. Choose whether to receive alerts for people, animals, vehicles, or all motion.

You can also set quiet hours—times when you don’t want to be disturbed by alerts.

Enable Sound Detection

Nest Cams can also detect unusual sounds like glass breaking, alarms, or loud noises.

1. In the camera settings, tap Sound Detection.
2. Toggle on Glass Break, Smoke Alarm, or General Sounds.
3. Set sensitivity levels as needed.

When a sound is detected, your Nest Hub will display a notification and optionally play an alert tone.

Step 5: Use Two-Way Audio

Your Nest Hub isn’t just for watching—it’s also for talking. With two-way audio, you can communicate with anyone in front of the camera, whether it’s a delivery person, a family member, or even your dog.

How to Talk Through the Nest Hub

While viewing the live camera feed:

1. Tap the microphone icon on the screen (or say “Hey Google, talk to the camera”).
2. Speak clearly into the Nest Hub’s microphone.
3. Your voice will play through the Nest Cam’s speaker.

This is especially useful for:

• Greeting visitors at the door
• Scaring off intruders
• Checking on pets or kids
• Giving instructions to a repair person

Tip: Make sure the Nest Cam’s speaker isn’t muted. You can check this in the camera settings.

Step 6: Enable Always-On Display (Ambient Mode)

Want your Nest Hub to constantly show the camera feed—even when not in use? You can set it to display the live view in Ambient Mode, turning your device into a dedicated security monitor.

Set Up Ambient Mode

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap your Nest Hub.
3. Tap the gear icon for settings.
4. Select Ambient Mode.
5. Toggle on Show camera feed.
6. Choose which camera to display by default.

Now, when your Nest Hub is idle, it will show the live camera feed instead of photos or the clock. This is perfect for keeping an eye on high-traffic areas like the front door or nursery.

Note: To save power and reduce screen burn-in, the display will dim after a few minutes and turn off completely in low light (if you have a Nest Hub Max with a light sensor).

Step 7: Switch Between Multiple Cameras

If you have more than one Nest Cam, you can easily switch between them on your Nest Hub.

Using Voice Commands

Say:

• “Hey Google, show me the backyard camera.”
• “Hey Google, switch to the garage camera.”

Using the Touchscreen

1. Open the camera feed on your Nest Hub.
2. Tap the camera name at the top of the screen.
3. Select a different camera from the list.

This makes it easy to monitor different rooms or entry points without needing multiple devices.

Privacy and Security Tips

While using your Nest Hub as a security camera is convenient, it’s important to protect your privacy and data.

Use Physical Privacy Switches

All Nest Cams have a physical shutter or switch to disable the camera and microphone. Use it when you don’t want to be recorded.

Mute the Microphone

On the Nest Hub, you can mute the mic by tapping the microphone icon or saying “Hey Google, mute the microphone.”

Review and Delete Recordings

If you have a Nest Aware subscription, your camera saves video history. Regularly review and delete old clips you no longer need.

Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Use a strong password and enable WPA3 encryption on your router to prevent unauthorized access to your cameras.

Disable Camera When Not in Use

If you’re going on vacation or don’t need monitoring, turn off the camera in the Google Home app or use the physical switch.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Having trouble getting your Nest Hub to work as a security camera? Here are some common problems and fixes.

Camera Feed Won’t Load

• Check your Wi-Fi connection—both the Nest Hub and camera need a strong signal.
• Restart both devices by unplugging them for 10 seconds.
• Make sure the camera is online in the Google Home app.

No Sound or Two-Way Audio Not Working

• Ensure the microphone and speaker are not muted on either device.
• Check volume levels in the Google Home app.
• Test the audio with a voice command like “Hey Google, speak to me.”

Alerts Not Showing on Nest Hub

• Verify that motion and sound alerts are enabled in the camera settings.
• Check that the Nest Hub isn’t in Do Not Disturb mode.
• Ensure the camera is linked to the correct room in the Google Home app.

Live View is Laggy or Freezes

• Move your Nest Cam closer to the router or use a Wi-Fi extender.
• Reduce video quality in the camera settings (lower resolution = smoother streaming).
• Close other apps using bandwidth on your network.

Camera Not Appearing in Nest Hub Options

• Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Sign out and back into your Google account in the Google Home app.
• Update the Google Home app and Nest Hub software to the latest version.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Take your security setup to the next level with these pro tips.

Use Routines for Automated Monitoring

Create a Google Assistant routine to automatically show a camera feed at certain times.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Routines.
3. Create a new routine (e.g., “When I say ‘Goodnight,’ show the front door camera”).
4. Set the action to “Show camera” and choose your camera.

Pair with Other Smart Devices

Integrate your Nest Cam and Hub with lights, locks, or alarms. For example:

• When motion is detected, turn on smart lights.
• If a door opens, show the camera feed on the Nest Hub.

Use Nest Aware for Enhanced Features

Subscribe to Nest Aware (starting at $6/month) for:

• 24/7 video history
• Intelligent alerts (people, animals, vehicles)
• Familiar face detection
• Emergency recording

Mount Your Nest Hub Strategically

Place your Nest Hub in a central location—like the kitchen or living room—where you can easily see the screen and hear alerts.

Conclusion

Using your Google Nest Hub as a security camera is a smart, cost-effective way to keep an eye on your home. With live video feeds, motion alerts, two-way audio, and seamless integration with the Google Home app, you get powerful monitoring without needing a separate screen or complex setup. Whether you’re checking on a package delivery, watching your pet, or ensuring your home is secure while you’re away, your Nest Hub becomes a versatile security command center.

By following this guide, you’ve learned how to connect your Nest Cam, enable live view, customize alerts, and protect your privacy. With a few simple steps, you’ve transformed your smart display into a reliable security tool. So go ahead—say “Hey Google, show me the front door” and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with always being in the know.