Why can't I connect my new Nest cam with the Nest app?

[JohnF]

Disclaimer: This thread was migrated from our previous version of the Google Nest Community. You can continue to receive updates on your thread issue here or simply ask, browse or more in the new Google Nest Community.

 Original poster: Stephen 7791 

I have the newest Nest cam (outdoor with battery) and the only option to connect is with Google Home, not the Nest app.

[Devoted6oo6ler]

I love love love my wired nest outdoor cams on the nest app and the app is super easy. Bought two battery nest doorbell cams and they only work with the trash google home app. Why why why. Pick one or the other! Thermostat, cams, and smoke detectors only work on nest app, and my nest home mini speakers and nest doorbell only on home. 

Yall. Pick a **bleep** horse and ride it cause this is junk. Products are fabulous but two apps? Really? 

[RDG]

Like everyone here, I bought a nest cam to add to my home system and then found issues requiring me to install using the Google app.  I intend to send this camera back for refund. 

Now I'm dealing with Google.  We have spoken to the representatives more than a few times!  They continue to say they will be sending a return label but it never comes through to my email, forcing me to call again.  According to their website I have 14 days to complete this return in order to get a refund !

This is infuriating.  Apparently this is happening with people who have purchased Pixel devices from Google as well; trying to return devices and are told the return label with be sent by email but it never arrives.  Maybe their products are so bad that they figure running out the clock on returns is the way to go. 

BTW, like me, most people say there is no shipping/purchase document sent in the box with these devices, nor a confirmation email when purchased.   Sounds suspicious.

[Ru-X]

I'm having the same issue. I started off with Hub Max and Google recommended to download Nest app to have full access and control to the hub Max. I thought that is strange using two apps now. Then I decide to setup the nest cam and can't use it in nest app. Now I have to use two different app for two different products.

[LaureninLA]

I had 4 Nest cameras and 1 stopped working after a heavy rainstorm (out of warranty of course). I couldn't install the new one without moving them all to the Home app which sucks. What's the point of seeing a live feed without being able to see the events that were recently triggered? And what's the point if you can't clip video of them? I've actually needed to show police and neighbors video of people trying to break into houses which is the whole point of having cameras in the first place. Now I can't decide which I hate more my Nest WiFi or my Nest cameras. I should have gotten Amazon's cameras and Ring.

[Oldforester]

Sounds as if the only way to get Google's attention is get attorneys involved and start a class action lawsuit against the company for abandoning loyal customers, with what appears to be a willful disregard of their fiduciary responsibility.   Have also spent hours attempting to get a new camera to work only to find out it is incompatible with my old "legacy" Nest system.  Had to then return the camera.  Google has made no attempt to reduce the time, effort, or cost of all these customers with a problem they must have anticipated, but have made no real effort to solve or mitigate all these problems. 

[CABBY]

Yes, I can relate. I thought I was doing something wrong until I contacted technical support and was advised that the cameras I purchased were incompatible. and. Love the nest app as well. Unfortunately,  I returned my cameras as well and will order the generation 1 cameras that are compatible with the system I've grown to love. Thanks for your reply.

[gnom · Accepted solution]

I got a reply from google two days ago

Google Nest Support

@googlenesthelp

We know how important it is to be able to view all your Nest devices on one app. If you have the new Nest Cam (wired), it's exclusive to the Home app and we have no news to share about having these devices available on the Nest app. 1/2

Our long term plan is to use the Home app as the one place to control all of your favorite Nest and other smart home devices. We appreciate your feedback as we're looking for ways to improve our products and services. Stay tuned on our social media channels for more news. 2/2

[VinceB]

Google - Do you need more comments like this to understand the frustration.  I have bought in to your system for two properties and want/need to add more cameras.  The Home app is not even close to the simple functionality of the Nest app.  I use it constantly to monitor activity.  I have two new cameras that will be going back for refund now.  I was going to stay with Nest cameras over my alarm system units but now I'll be ditching Nest Aware and moving to one integrated package.  Great job screwing up a perfectly functioning product and losing a customer.  

[Unhappy2]

Add me to the list of unhappy customers.  Three of my Nest cameras are on the Nest app and now one is on Google Home because can't connect to Nest.  I am unable to access Google Home on certain devices as apparently not compatible.    

[CABBY]

I ended up returning the new camera and purchasing the older version, which is compatible with the Nest app. I really hope Google figures out how to make the newer version compatibility with the Nest app or I will not be purchasing anything else. It's a bummer because I love the Nest cameras.

[jorjiagurlT]

You can't, and all of the items that you have in nest you can see in the Google home, however, you don't have all of the same options until you remove from the nest app completely and reset up the cameras and speakers and things under the Google home app. Such an inconvenience!

[StephanieRan]

This is so disheartening!! I started out years ago with the Ring doorbell but when it went bad discovered Nest and how it's video quality was far superior to the other doorbell cameras. I then decided to replace everything in my home - Amazon Echo, other Ring camera, etc - with Nest products. Now we've decided to add a few more outdoor cameras to our system after recently adding a pool and outdoor kitchen to our back yard. Thankfully I saw a 1 star review that brought this up and was in disbelief until I found this thread.

What are the model numbers of the previous generation?? (assuming I can still install them on the Nest app). I'm needing outdoor wired cameras - either single or 2-packs?? Is any of the big box stores or any reputable websites still selling them?

[Netvigator]

Completely agreed.  I couldn't add new Nest cam outdoor to the Nest app?  are you kidding me?  Returning my camera now, until Google fixed this crap ASAP.     
Allow "Nest" products to be added and used in the nest app easily, and enable full control over camera such as scheduled time recordings, similar to the competition.
Goggle Home App Sucks !! Big Time!!   I stopped using it even though I have lots of Google home devices.  I should have gone the other way with Alexa instead.

[GuyF]

Welcome to the club!

[Kfomafia]

Geez, I should have read this before I bought the Nest Camera - battery. I wanted it to be wireless because it was in a spot that didn't have an outdoor electrical camera. Since I have 2 other wired outdoor camera and a doorbell camera, I wanted to use the Nest product. I have spent the last hour thinking I was doing something wrong since it wouldn't show up in the Nest app. I am assuming that Google will use the Nest app functionality since it is super great and easier to use the trash Google Home app? Does anyone know? Sad I am just finding this out, but appreciate everyone commenting on it.