Nest Gen 1 & 2 Cams

[SteveO37067]

I've been using Nest Cams for a while and decided to add some cameras to my home set up. I purchased three of the Nest Gen 2 battery operated cams and wanted to know how I could see them on my laptop with the rest of my home setup. I called Google and was told that the only way I can view my new cameras is by using the Google Home app on my phone. I was told it's not an option to view them on my laptop. Is this correct? Seems like a extremely poor decision on Google's part to not make them all work together nicely.

[MplsCustomer]

@SteveO37067 

Unfortunately, you are finding out what many of us customers have also discovered.  The new Google Nest cameras released starting in 2021 work ONLY in the Google Home app and NOT in the Google Nest app or on the home.nest.com website.

You can see Google's justification for this 2-app solution--along with customer reactions--on this blog in this forum:

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Blog/Message-from-our-GM-Updates-for-our-Nest-customers/ba-p/...

[SteveO37067]

Perhaps it's shame on me for not doing my research before purchasing additional Nest/Google cams, but I never would have even thought that the two generations of cameras wouldn't interface with each other! What kind of company does that? Read a few of the customer's reactions to the 2-app solution and am happy to see I'm not the only one frustrated with this decision!

[EmptyNester]

Hi Steve,  If you read thru these 100's of threads here you will see countless people were pulled into this the same way.  Shame on Google for calling them 'NEST' cameras and it doesn't work with the 'NEST app.  I bought the Gen 2 cams right when they first came out (many months ago) and ended up returning them within the return window and bought some used Gen 1 Nest cams on ebay and all is good.     I feel like they have really let us down. And they are taking WAY too long to make it right.   And the disaster with the new Google Doorbell (battery) is just beyond inexcusable in my opinion.

[JohnC1]

The salt in the wound was that the Google Home app was not as functional as the Nest app. And no clear roadmap. And no equivalent to home.nest.com for the 2nd generation cameras. A boondoggle. And subpar camera warranty support - so much hassle to get a replacement camera for a daytime constantly purple-pink camera.

[EmptyNester]

@JohnC1,  couldn't agree with you more.  And the list goes on and on beyond what you stated. Another thing that got me was the new Doorbell (battery) can't record 24/7 when wired.  And even when wired it OFTEN clips the 1st 1-3 seconds of video capture.  I purchased the new Doorbell (Battery) and sold my Nest Hello on eBay.  3 weeks later I returned the new Doorbell and had to purchase another used HELLO from another seller on ebay.  

[Brad]

Hi there,

Just checking in to see if you still need assistance with this issue. Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad.

P.S Thanks for your help, @EmptyNester!

[SteveO37067]

Hey Brad - I don't know that there's any assistance that can be given on this issue. It's a Nest/Google issue because the newer Nest cameras don't play nicely with the old Nest app. Looking through the comments on this website, it appears there are many people who are unhappy with the current situation.

[Brad]

@SteveO37067

Thank you for your feedback on this issue, I fully understand the frustrations of not having your new Nest Cams in the Nest App or available on https://bit.ly/3HtBgJC web app. I can imagine having to use two different apps at the moment is quite daunting, and could lead to frustration. 

However, the new Nest cameras and doorbell are exclusive to the Home app because we wanted to create an integrated experience with your speakers and displays. A Nest Aware subscription applies to all of your cameras, speakers, and displays in the same home structure. Thank you for your continued patience, and support. I am more than happy to assist you further with this inquiry if you wish. Please let me know.

Best Regards,

Brad.

[SteveO37067]

Unfortunately the Google Home app feels pretty clunky compared to the Nest app. Wish I had realized that the two generations of cameras wouldn't work well together. I would have purchased 1st gen cameras to avoid this issue.

[Brad]

Hey Folks.

At this time, I'll go ahead and lock this thread. If you're still experiencing problems, feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Best Regards,

Brad.

[JohnC1]

Hey @Brad , I guess we're wondering when the Google Home is going to add the functionality of the Nest app and become its superset? I would find it hard to believe that Google didn't have a product/app roadmap and nearer term functionality roll-out timelines.

[Brad]

@JohnC1

We definitely have plans to improve the Google Home app and add to it, I am afraid I am not privy to any of those road maps I'm afraid. I am only over these Nest Community Forums, but it is in the works! I just do not have an ETA to provide.

Best regards,

Brad.