How to Install Nest Cameras Indoors and Outdoors

Google Nest has four crawly cameras that livestream footage from inside or exterior your home. Whether this is your first photographic camera installation or one of many, we've laid out installation instructions for Nest'south indoor and outdoor cameras.

How to install a Nest Cam

Do you have your Nest camera prepare? Click on one of the links below to jump to installation instructions for your camera.

  • How to install a Nest Cam Outdoor

  • How to install a Nest Cam IQ Outdoor

  • How to install Nest Cam Indoor and Indoor IQ

Nest Outdoor Security Camera product image

How to install a Nest Cam Outdoor

Nest Cam Outdoor cameras are awesome additions to your abode security or surveillance system. They take splendid night vision and powerful livestreaming features similar move detection and two-way sound.

Here'south what you'll need to start installing your Nest Cam Outdoor.1

  • A strong Wi-Fi betoken (2 Mbps upload speed or college)
  • A mobile device with the Nest app installed
  • An agile Nest business relationship
  • An indoor or outdoor power outlet
  • A ability drill with Phillips driver fleck or standard Phillips screwdriver

1. Option an installation spot

Before you get started with installation, figure out where you want to put your new Nest photographic camera. Avoid areas with directly sunlight or plants that might block the picture.

Make sure your camera tin can still receive a signal from your home router as well. Nest recommends finding a spot nearly vii to ten feet off the ground for the best results.

Your Nest Cam Outdoor doesn't accept batteries, so it needs to stay plugged in at all times. Discover an outdoor plug with a cover or choose a spot where a cord tin reach indoors. Like the Nest Cam IQ, you tin drill a hole into your house and feed the cord through that.

2. Turn on and actuate your photographic camera

In one case you've picked a location for installation, go started by activating and registering your camera.

Yous'll need to have the Nest app and your business relationship login. Follow the instructions on the app to add your new camera to your Nest account. The camera's livestream goes direct to the app, so you can check the picture quality and test the camera out before installing it.

3. Have it outside

When y'all see alive footage on the Nest app, your Nest Cam is fix to get outside.

Take your Nest camera outdoors and plug it into an outlet within. Be sure it can however livestream from the location you lot've picked. You lot'll need a strong Wi-Fi connection for the all-time experience with a security camera like Nest.

If y'all tin can't see a livestream from the camera on the Nest app, y'all may need to pick a spot closer to your router or motility the router closer to the photographic camera.

4. Install the mounting magnet

Your Nest Cam uses a super stiff magnet to stick to the wall mount. Start by marking airplane pilot holes on the wall or post where you'll install the camera. Use wall anchors and masonry drill bits if you're mounting your photographic camera to brick or rock.

Secure the mounting plate to the wall with two of the included screws.

v. Add together the camera

Once the mounting magnet is deeply placed on the wall or postal service, identify your camera on the magnet. Yous tin can suit the angle past looking at the livestream from the Nest app. Be sure it's in a spot with a articulate view, gratuitous from straight sunlight, plants, and structures that might block the film.

6. Plan your wiring path

Your Nest camera needs to be plugged in at all times, and so be sure your cablevision tin can reach an outlet comfortably. You'll have virtually 10 anxiety of cable to piece of work with and cable anchors to keep the cord from coming loose.

Nest recommends leaving a little slack on both ends of the cablevision to provide enough cabling to reach. We recommend hiding the cable or keeping it loftier on the side of your business firm to foreclose tampering. Outdoor plug covers can protect your outlet and the cablevision inside.

7. Mount the power adapter and secure the cable

Install the weatherproof adapter effectually 18 inches off the ground and flush against the wall. Use one of the provided screws to secure the wall plate then snap the adapter to the wall plate.

Adjacent, secure the cable with the provided cablevision clips and screws. At that place are nine clips in the Nest kit—use every bit many as you need to continue the cable secure.

Secure the cable in a hidden or out of reach spot to avoid tampering. Y'all can paint over the cablevision to camouflage information technology too.

Once you've finished installing your Nest Cam Outdoor, check the livestream and make adjustments for the best picture.

How to install a Nest Cam IQ Outdoor

The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera has a 4K sensor that provides a crystal clear movie in wide daylight or the middle of the night. Its 12x digital zoom is powerful enough to capture license plates and faces from far away. It'due south also easy to set up upwardly. Follow these installation instructions to become your Nest Cam IQ Outdoor up and running.2

Here's what you'll need to go started.

  • A strong Wi-Fi connexion (with at least 2 Mbps upload speed)
  • The Nest app and account
  • An indoor power outlet
  • A power drill with Phillips bit

Optional, but recommended from Nest:

  • three/32-inch drill bits for pilot holes
  • 7/32-inch drill bits for wall anchors
  • ½-inch drill bits for cable pigsty
  • Caulk to seal the wall plate
  • A ladder if you're installing higher on the wall

1. Choose an installation spot

Earlier you pick up a drill, scout out a good spot to identify your new Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. The ability cable for the IQ Outdoor camera is 25 anxiety, then measure out out this distance before doing any installation.

It will need to be close enough to your router to receive a Wi-Fi signal and an indoor plug to get power. It besides helps to programme your cabling path before starting installation.

Look for a spot that won't be blocked by copse, bushes, or direct sunlight. The side of your garage, most a gate, or nigh your dorsum door are all good places to start.

2. Activate Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera and add information technology to your Nest business relationship

Start within your house by plugging your Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera into an outlet and adding it to your Nest account.

Download the Nest app and log in using your business relationship information. Follow the instructions to add your new photographic camera to your account. You'll know the camera is up and running by the live video feed in the app.

3. Accept it outside

Keep your camera plugged in and have it where you want to install it. Check the live feed to run across how the Wi-Fi connection holds upwards. If the video starts lagging or freezing, the connexion may not be strong plenty for reliable footage.

You can choose a new spot for installation or move your router closer to where yous want to install the photographic camera.

4. Mountain the wall plate

The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor has a wall plate with a pigsty through the center for the ability cable. You can either drill through your outside wall and run the cable through or lead the cable around and into the plate. This step is why planning a cable path beforehand is so important.

The good news is either option works. If you're drilling into brick or stone, you'll need a masonry drill scrap and the wall anchors included with your camera.

In one case you've picked a spot, apply the wall plate to mark where to drill. Utilize a three/32-inch drill bit to create pilot holes for the wall plate. If you're using wall anchors, choose a 7/32-inch flake for the wall anchors.

Seal the plate with caulk, leaving a pocket-sized gap for water to drain.

If yous're drilling through the wall, place the wall plate over the hole and route the cable through. If non, route the cable through the indented space on the wall plate for the cord to connect to the camera.

Nest has a helpful video to evidence you lot how this step is washed.

v. Add the photographic camera

In one case the wall plate is in place, you tin add together your Nest Cam IQ Outdoor photographic camera. Plug the cable into the back of the camera and click information technology into place on the wall plate.

When the camera receives ability, it volition connect to your Wi-Fi and you'll be able to run across video feed through the app. Adjust the photographic camera to ameliorate the picture.

half dozen. Secure the cable

Afterwards you've positioned your camera, secure the cable. The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor comes with 8 cable clips you lot can utilise to concur the cablevision to an inside or exterior wall. Utilise as many as you lot need.

For a neat cablevision path, follow a ledge or corner with your clips. You can pigment over the cable, but we don't recommend painting the camera itself.

7. Exam your camera

Finally, make adjustments as needed to your camera's position or its cable. Cheque the camera's two-way sound, zoom, and action tracking to brand sure all its features piece of work.

How to install a Nest Cam Indoor and IQ Indoor camera

The Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam IQ Indoor cameras take the same installation steps. It simply takes a few minutes and most of the setup tin can be done on your phone.3

Here's what yous'll need to get started.

  • Nest Cam Indoor or Nest Indoor IQ camera
  • The Nest app (for tablet or smartphone)
  • An indoor outlet
  • Wi-Fi network with 2 Mbps upload speed or college

1. Download the Nest app and register

Showtime your Nest photographic camera installation by downloading the Nest app onto your phone or tablet. The app works for Android devices v.0 and up and iOS devices 12.0 and later. Once the app is on your device, open it up and sign in using your Nest account login.

2. Plug your photographic camera in

At present information technology's time to power upwards your Nest Indoor camera. Both the IQ and standard indoor cameras can stand up on their own. Then plug the ability cord into the photographic camera and the wall, and leave the photographic camera on a stable surface while you're installing it.

The Nest cam will chime when it starts upward. If you lot have the Nest IQ Indoor photographic camera, you'll too see a bluish ring of low-cal around the lens.

3. Add your camera to your Nest account

Sign in to your account if you aren't already in. One time you've logged in, tap the plus sign to add your new device. If you already have Nest products on your account, tap the Settings icon, and find Add Product to proceed.

From here, the app volition enquire you to scan the QR code on your new camera. Line up the QR lawmaking with the green box in the app so it can read it. This doesn't have to be perfect, but it helps to practice this step in a well-lit area without shadows.

four. Name your camera

Side by side, name your camera to reflect its location. The app volition provide a few pop options similar "living room" or "kids' room" that you can choose from.

The proper noun yous assign your Nest Cam Indoor or IQ Indoor will appear when the camera sends notifications to your phone. And then choose a name that makes sense to you.

5. Connect to your home Wi-Fi

Now it's fourth dimension to connect your camera to the home Wi-Fi. The app will lead you to this step once you've named the location of the camera. Detect your abode network and type in the password.

half dozen. Place your photographic camera and make adjustments

In one case your camera is continued to your habitation Wi-Fi and the Nest app, you're done! Check the Nest app to run across what the camera sees and put it into position. Both the Nest IQ and standard Nest Cam Indoor have wide views, allowing them to see most of a room and brand out people'due south faces.

Avoid placing your camera in direct sunlight or facing out the window. This can distort the picture. While making adjustments, effort zooming in and looking for obstacles in its path.

Finally, test the video stream to make sure the picture captures what you desire to encounter.

7. Optional: Mount your photographic camera

This is an optional step, but you can mount the indoor camera to the wall of the plant nursery, hallway, or anywhere you lot'd like. Yous'll just need a Phillips screwdriver or power drill with a Phillips scrap. If you're installing your photographic camera onto a difficult surface similar brick or rock, you'll need a masonry drill flake.

  • Test the Wi-Fi connection on the wall first. Y'all'll desire to make sure the camera has a skillful connexion before mounting it to the wall.
  • Mark holes on the wall with a pencil using the wall mount so you know where to place the screws.
  • Utilize the 2 included screws to mount the plate to the wall.
  • Place the camera on the wall mount, and y'all're washed!

Nest Camera Installation FAQ

No. Unfortunately, you'll need to keep the camera plugged in at all times for it to work. If the wire disconnects or is cutting, you'll get a notification on the Nest app that the photographic camera has lost power.

Google Nest has standard and premium cameras for indoors and outdoors. The Nest IQ cameras come with premium features like facial recognition, person alerts, and cloud storage. Learn more about the whole family of Nest cameras in our review.

For indoor cameras, find a stable surface like a bookshelf, table, or countertop. Avert placing your camera in direct sunlight, because it could overheat. Yous should test the moving-picture show earlier using the camera to brand certain nothing is blocking the lens.

For outdoor cameras, cull a spot out of direct sunlight or away from vegetation that could block the lens. And while the outdoor cameras are weatherproof, it's smart to observe a spot with some overhang to avoid snow and pelting from blocking the view. The garage, side paths, back thousand, and forepart porch are all adept candidates for your new Nest photographic camera.

If you're installing a Nest Cam Outdoor, your router may be too far away or the home Wi-Fi signal might non be strong enough. Try moving the router closer to the camera or choose a spot outside closer to the router.

If you already accept Nest products, they could be overtaking the signal from your new device. Place the new device closer to the old one or the router. Usually, the app volition prove guidance if this is the problem.

If you lot're nonetheless having trouble pairing your Nest camera with your dwelling house Wi-Fi, visit our Nest camera troubleshooting article or Google Nest's help folio for more information.

Katie McEntire

Written past

Katie McEntire

As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She'south tested devices like pet cameras, domicile security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she likewise makes videos for the site'south YouTube channel. She'due south been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Good for you Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay Country University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She'due south held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Acme Ten Reviews.

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