Quicker access to live feed

[gbrandwood]

Is there a quicker way to access the doorbell camera's live feed?

On my Android device, currently I have to find the Google Home app icon. Launch it and then scroll down through all of my 'rooms' to find the doorbell. Select the doorbell and then select the live feed.

Seems like there should be a quicker way to get there.  Maybe a widget or some other app icon that I'm not aware of?

It may seem trivial but sometimes I want to quickly check something or sometimes the notification will fail or I'll accidentally dismiss it. And when someone is at the door, every second counts 🙂

Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks

[BG · Accepted solution]

When you open the Google Home App, do you not see an icon at the top called Cameras? Also, if you are sitting by a Google Home Hub, you can say "Hey Google, show me the [front door]", or whatever you named it. 

[gbrandwood]

Hi, actually I hadn't noticed that. Usually I'm frantically searching so just scroll down straight away. Knowing that takes me straight there will definitely speed things up. Not sure what will happen if I add more cameras though. But good tip, thank you.

But is there anyway to go from a home screen straight to the live feed? 1 tap? That would be ideal.

Thanks

[BG]

I'm not aware of an immediate widget or link to one particular device, that you could put on your home screen. But, I always used the Nest App, and the Philips Hue app instead of Google Home App in the past, because I simply hated the Google Home App. Now, I'm trying to get use to the Google Home App exclusively and not use the other apps. I installed 7 Nest Cameras (floodlight version), and they do not work with the nest app, so I bit the bullet and I am trying to navigate the Google Home App. If you get anymore devices, a single  link or widget is not going to be beneficial. Take my case for instance, I wouldn't want a single click for seven cameras on my home screen (seven icons). I simply open Google Home App and click the Camera icon and I see all seven views live, and I can pick one. Same with the Lights icon at the top, I have 30 lights in different rooms including the floodlights, and I can turn rooms on and off much easier there than a single click for each one on my home screen. So, for me, its easier to use those big icons at the top, including the thermostat, routines and others.

[gbrandwood]

I still think it could be useful. Yes, like you say, a quick view to show all cameras would be great for those with lots of cameras, but with the doorbell or other key or most frequently viewed cameras, it would be useful to get there as quickly as possible.

It's the equivelent of widgets that let you put a shortcut to a specific web page on your home screen, or a particular location on Google Maps etc. One tap and you're there. 

But, unless anyone else chimes in (pun intended 😀), it would seem like it's not currently possible for specific cameras.

[BG]

Don't forget, if your doorbell rings, or if you get a notification of movement or a package, the "Event" will pop up, and you can immediately view live with one click. Otherwise, trust me, over time, you will get tired of peeking out of your doorbell every 10 mins. just to view live, then newness will wear off, and you wont care.

[Jeff]

Hey, everyone.

With the answer being shared here, I just wanted to follow up real fast to see if anybody needed anything else before we close up the thread. If help is still needed, just let me know.

Thanks.

[AEN]

Hi! I have a way to do this if you haven't already figured it out. I know this post is a few months old. But if you have the Nest App, hold down on the Nest widget and then hold down the camera you want and drag it to your home page. It will create a shortcut on your home screen. So in my case I held down the nest app, held down "door bell", dragged it, and now there is a widget of a camera that says "doorbell' on my home screen. Hope that helps! 

[jmorano]

You mean like this crud?

No access to my camera clip...  

[BG]

Yeah, unfortunately... "like that crud" lol, however, I can't really blame it entirely on the product. It is designed to work and In the beginning, I had that issue too, but in my case, it was entirely the Wi-Fi signal. I have cameras spread out on all corners of the house, and it wasn't until I got a really good WiFi router that everything is really pretty instant now. The wifi is EVERYTHING, and the cameras have dual band capability, so you need wifi that is going to reach well. I bought a really good Asus router for large homes that I LOVE, and placed it in an open area (never near other electronics), never behind a TV and places like that, and I walked around with my phone app to make sure I got good wifi everywhere before I installed them. My feeds on Google Home app for all 7 cameras open instantly, and they are all set to MAX video resolution. I'm actually happy with the hardware, just disappointed in the app. The do use a lot of data though, but I have a business internet account with unlimited data thank goodness. You add all the TV's streaming, etc., you have to have a router with a CPU that can handle all the data. 

[jmorano]

Yes, I am prepared, but do believe in growing pains.  I have Mesh with 5 access points, 3 with wired backhaul.  I do assume working with most home users, its not like dealing with "US" but yeah my disappointment is the not prime time ready product with all of Googles resources.  Its been half - arsed.