Access to Nest Cam

[ClayK]

I just installed a 2nd Gen wired Nest floodlight/camera but I am having issues giving my kids access to the camera. One of the major reasons for purchasing this was to allow my kids to check the camera instead of answering the door when they are home alone.

Google home tells me they are not allowed access and the camera does not show up in the Nest app so I cannot give them access that way.

Please tell me that this purchase was was not a waste of money and that there is actually a way to grant my kids access to the camera that I am not aware of.......

[MplsCustomer]

@ClayK 

You could purchase a Nest Hub, which can be used to view the livestream of any cameras in your Google Nest "home".  We use our Nest Hubs all the time for this.

The only way to share access to Google Nest's newer cameras like the floodlight camera on a phone or mobile device using the Google Home app is to invite your family members to become members of the "household" for your Google Nest "home, either by tapping the plus sign on the initial screen and selecting "Add person to home" or by going to Settings | Household.

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9155535?hl=en

Each person needs a Google (gmail) account, and, unfortunately, every household member has full control of all Google Nest devices and the Google Nest "home".

[ClayK]

The issue is our kids are all younger than 13 so we are not able to add them to our Google Home.....our 10 and 12 year old are at home alone often and I would like them to get alerts to their phone when they are so that they can decide to answer the door or not depending on who is there. We are able to stream the live feed to the television but I am not going to expect our kids to sit with the live feed on the entire time we are away just to see if anyone comes to the door.

After the original post I also realized that the feature of being able to set up a schedule for when the lights turn on and off is also not available since the device was migrated to the Google Home app from the Nest app......quite frankly I would rather use two apps and have all the features tied to the device than have everything on one app and no features.

I am extremely disappointed in these product and an considering returning it.

[MplsCustomer]

@ClayK 

I'm just another Google Nest customer, but I don't think that Google Nest's product can address your concerns.

[ClayK]

I understand that, I have seen your posts. I have sent feedback to the company with my concerns......I don't expect it to change anything, shame on me for not doing my research before buying a product.

[Brad]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you're experiencing this. I can understand that this may be an inconvenience to you and your family. I am afraid however, because your children are too young, they would not be able to have the same access as you. You are welcome to share your feedback regarding this inquiry, here or in the app. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Brad

[ClayK]

Hi Brad,

Thank you for the response.

Unfortunately I don't feel you did anything but tell me what I already know.

Is there any plans to have the scheduling function integrated into the Google Home app as was the case with the Nest app?

And why should I as the 'owner' of the Google Home not be able to allow who I want to access it, no matter the age? I am guessing that I am not the only parent that has purchased a door camera so that their kids don't have to answer the door when home alone.......if this is not a feature that Google is considering to reestablish in the Google Home app I would suggest that they look into this feature and find a way that children under the age of 13 can access the camera feed at least, even if they are not able to control any other features of the camera.

Have a great day.

[Brad]

Hey there,

We’re always looking for ways to improve, and appreciate your feedback. You can send it at any time using your devices by saying, "Hey Google, send feedback," or by following the steps found here. 

Best regards,
Brad

[janthadeus]

Hey folks,

We hear you — I'd suggest you send feedback about this using the Google Home app as suggested by Brad. Please let me know if you have other questions or concerns as I will be locking this in 24 hours if I won't hear back from you again. Feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.
 

I appreciate the help here, MplsCustomer and Brad.
 

Best,

JT