Nest Doorbell (wired Gen 2) / Nest Aware (2nd gen) -- Best Steps for Replacing First Gen

[Ontario1]

I currently have Google Nest Wired Doorbell (Gen 1) (Nest Hello) and several other Google Nest cameras. I have an annual subscription for Nest Aware (Gen 1) for the doorbell only.  The doorbell has been malfunctioning lately and I want to change it over to the Google Nest Doorbell (wired Gen 2). I will then retire the Nest Hello and have to purchase the Nest Aware (Gen 2) for my "Home", as Nest Aware Gen 1 is not available for purchase / transfer. When purchasing the new camera, I will get a trial of the new Nest Aware (gen 2) for 30 days.  My question is what is the best way / order to install the new equipment and to purchase the new Nest Aware (Gen 2) and retire my original Nest Hello and cancel the old Nest Aware (Gen 1) and have the prorated annual funds returned or transferred towards my new Nest Aware (Gen 2).

For example, I could:

- Disconnect old Nest Hello doorbell.

- Install new Google Nest doorbell (wired Gen 2).

- Connect new doorbell to my "Home" on Google Home app.

- Log into home.nest.com and when the pop-up comes to convert to new Nest Aware, accept it. (Or I could separately purchase it in the Google Home app.)

- In the Google Home App, remove the old Nest Hello doorbell from my "Home".

I am not sure if the funds remaining for my original Nest Aware annual subscription will be refunded (pro-rated) or transferred towards my annual subscription fee for the new New Aware (Gen 2). I am not sure if I should wait until the "free" 30-day trial is underway / complete to make the transfer. I am not sure if I should cancel the original Nest Aware before or after removing the old Nest Hello from my "Home".  There are many permutations to the steps -- but some may be better than others. Any thoughts/experiences on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[Ontario1 · Accepted solution]

Here's how I ended up doing it (successfully):

- From the Home.nest.com website, I cancelled Nest Aware for the original Nest Hello Doorbell. It notified me that I would receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of my annual subscription. And I received an email to that effect.

- I added the new Google Nest Doorbell (wired Gen 2) following the online instructions (initiated via scanning the QR code on the paperwork that came with the new device).  I set it up physically, and added it to my "Home" in the Google Home app following the instructions.

- During the set up process, I said OK to storing video from all my cameras. (This then automatically enabled the Nest Aware (Gen 2) trial.)  (I then received a Welcome to the new Nest Aware email, explaining the 30 day trial.)

- I went into the Home.nest.com and removed my original Nest Hello Doorbell (which was disconnected but still showing as an off-line device in my device list). (Because the old doorbell was powered off at that time, I could not seem to be able to remove it via the Nest or Google Home apps. But it was possible remove it via the Home.nest.com website. It might have been easier to remove it from my "Home" prior to turning it off.)

- I had to manually re-set up the Notifications from Google Home. And I had to revise the Notifications from my other Nest Cameras after the new Nest Aware came into effect back to how I had them originally. (Google, the Notifications set-up part of the operation could have been smoother.)

[Aside: One thing in addition I will mention when setting up the new doorbell (wired Gen 2): The new doorbell has a hex screw in the top of the doorbell that tightens down on the mounting plate to hold it securely. There is one hex screw already in the doorbell body itself and a spare in a little envelope with the hex key that comes with the doorbell. You do not have to remove the hex screw from the doorbell when installing the doorbell on to the mounting plate. Once the doorbell is mounted on the mounting plate, just tighten the hex screw down further to engage the screw hole in the mounting plate and you are done. ]

[Ontario1 · Accepted solution]

Here's how I ended up doing it (successfully):

- From the Home.nest.com website, I cancelled Nest Aware for the original Nest Hello Doorbell. It notified me that I would receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of my annual subscription. And I received an email to that effect.

- I added the new Google Nest Doorbell (wired Gen 2) following the online instructions (initiated via scanning the QR code on the paperwork that came with the new device).  I set it up physically, and added it to my "Home" in the Google Home app following the instructions.

- During the set up process, I said OK to storing video from all my cameras. (This then automatically enabled the Nest Aware (Gen 2) trial.)  (I then received a Welcome to the new Nest Aware email, explaining the 30 day trial.)

- I went into the Home.nest.com and removed my original Nest Hello Doorbell (which was disconnected but still showing as an off-line device in my device list). (Because the old doorbell was powered off at that time, I could not seem to be able to remove it via the Nest or Google Home apps. But it was possible remove it via the Home.nest.com website. It might have been easier to remove it from my "Home" prior to turning it off.)

- I had to manually re-set up the Notifications from Google Home. And I had to revise the Notifications from my other Nest Cameras after the new Nest Aware came into effect back to how I had them originally. (Google, the Notifications set-up part of the operation could have been smoother.)

[Aside: One thing in addition I will mention when setting up the new doorbell (wired Gen 2): The new doorbell has a hex screw in the top of the doorbell that tightens down on the mounting plate to hold it securely. There is one hex screw already in the doorbell body itself and a spare in a little envelope with the hex key that comes with the doorbell. You do not have to remove the hex screw from the doorbell when installing the doorbell on to the mounting plate. Once the doorbell is mounted on the mounting plate, just tighten the hex screw down further to engage the screw hole in the mounting plate and you are done. ]

[Ontario1 · Accepted solution]

And today (next day after installation), I went to store.google.com and clicked on my initial (top right of screen) and selected "Subscriptions". It showed that I had no current subscription and one subscription available for Nest Aware.

I clicked on that, and it showed me the options (monthly/yearly and the new Nest Aware / Nest Aware +). I signed up for Nest Aware annual pay and it indicated that my paid subscription period would begin in 1 month (at the end of the trial period) and that I would be charged the subscription price at that time (using my credit card on file which I had selected for use for payment). I received confirmatory emails to that effect. And it is showing now as a current subscription on the store.google.com website.  

So that was quite smooth too and I am glad that Google automatically put the start of my paid period to be at the end of my current trial period.

[Aside: Note that for the new Nest Aware (gen 2) subscriptions, there is no refund if you cancel part way  through a year on an annual subscription (unlike with Nest Aware (gen 1). Just something to keep in mind. (This is as explained on the Google support site.)]

[Brad]

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. 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. Please let me know if you need help with anything. 

Best regards,
Brad

[Brad]

Hi there, 

Just checking in to see how the conversation is going. Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns. We'll leave this thread open for a little longer for follow-up questions and concerns. 

Best regards, 

Brad

[Ontario1]

Hi Brad. That's it for me, thanks. However, I would like to suggest that in the standard FAQ / Help areas for Google Nest Cameras, that you look to add something like what I had here. A lot of people will be no doubt upgrading from old to new Nest Aware when they go from old to new cameras/doorbells. I think they could benefit from some upfront guidance on the steps involved (and not just find it by searching the community forum). Thanks.

[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. We'll keep this thread open for a little longer for any follow-up questions or concerns.

Best regards,
Brad