topic Re: Google Camera Guest Access in Home Automation

Google Camera Guest Access

GLylesIII — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:31:27 GMT

Does anyone know how to share access to your Google Cameras (Doorbell, Indoor Cameras, Outdoor Cameras) through the Google Home app with any other lesser access than "Full Control of Devices and Services"? I have been a long-time customer (Dropcam> NEST > Google) and could provide reduced camera rights in the NEST App before migrating to Google Home.

I do not want to allow the person to change passwords and other higher-level functions that FULL access provides.

Re: Google Camera Guest Access

MplsCustomer — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:19:41 GMT

@GLylesIII

Unfortunately, all members of a Google Nest "household" have full access:

"Only invite people you trust to become home members. When someone becomes a member of a home, the following info and settings are shared with them:
Full access and control of devices and services..."

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9155535

Re: Google Camera Guest Access

EmersonB — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 22:23:26 GMT

Hi folks,

@GLylesIII, thanks for reaching out here in the Community. What was shared above is right on the spot. We hope that sheds some light in your concern. In case you have additional questions, feel free to respond to this thread anytime.

I appreciate the help, MplsCustomer.

Regards,

Emerson

Re: Google Camera Guest Access

Tiuri — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 09:02:59 GMT

It's more than a year later and while they announced the implementation of two different levels of access (Member /Admin) I still don't have it. What's worse, it's still an all or nothing implementation. Even as a member, you can still access all cameras whereas in the Nest app, it was possible to share access to a single camera.

It is such a classic Google move to replace an app with another app that has fewer features.

Re: Google Camera Guest Access

MplsCustomer — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 15:23:40 GMT

@Tiuri

Google Nest has apparently added limited "member" access in the beta "Public Preview" version of the Google Home app. See @David_K 's reply on this thread:

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Cameras-and-Doorbells/Tenant-sharing/td-p/667223

I can't speak to it because we're not on the "Public Preview" version.

Re: Google Camera Guest Access

Tiuri — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 10:10:26 GMT

This is now available to the general public (see the blog post).

While a step in the right direction my example is still valid. It is impossible to give someone access to one device. When they are a member (even a new Member with limited access) they can still access every single device in the home.

My intention was to give my neighour access to my outdoor camera but that's impossible without giving him access to my thermostats, lights and every other camera. It's infuriating that something that was possible in the Nest app is ignored in the Home app.

Reading the blog post, they're proud of adding these different roles. Google should be ashamed that this wasn't available in the Home app from the start. It's a basic security feature.