Nest Aware is a paid subscription that adds cloud recording, video history, and alert features to Google Nest cameras and doorbells
Nest Aware stores video footage on Google's servers so you can watch what happened when you weren't home, rather than only seeing live video. The subscription includes cloud storage for 30 or 60 days of continuous recording (depending on which plan you choose), person and package detection alerts, and the ability to search your video history by date and time. Without Nest Aware, most Nest cameras only save video when they detect motion, and that footage disappears after a few hours.
Google offers two Nest Aware plans: Nest Aware with 30-day history and Nest Aware Pro with 60-day history. Both plans cost money each month and cover all Nest cameras and doorbells on your account. The subscription is separate from your internet bill and your Google account — you pay Google directly for the video storage service.
Key Takeaways
- Nest Aware stores 30 days of video; Nest Aware Pro stores 60 days, and both plans cover every Nest camera and doorbell you own.
- Without a subscription, Nest cameras record only when motion is detected and keep that footage for a few hours before deleting it.
- Both plans include alerts when the camera detects a person, package, or vehicle, and the ability to search your video by date instead of scrolling through hours of footage.
- Nest Aware pricing varies by region and changes over time, so you should check Google's Nest website directly for your current local price.
What video storage and history you get with each plan
Nest Aware with 30-day history stores continuous video from your cameras for 30 days. That means if something happens on day 1, you can still watch it on day 30, but on day 31 the oldest footage rolls off and is deleted. Nest Aware Pro with 60-day history keeps footage twice as long, so you have two months to find and review any event.
Both plans record continuously, not just when motion happens. Without a subscription, your camera only saves video when it detects movement, and that clip is kept for only a few hours. Continuous recording means you can see what happened during quiet periods — someone walking slowly, a package sitting on your porch, or your own family members coming and going.
The video is stored on Google's servers, not on your camera or in your home. You watch it through the Google Home app or the Nest app on your phone or computer. If your internet goes down, you cannot watch stored video until your connection is back, but the camera itself continues to record and will upload the footage once you are online again.
Alert features included in both Nest Aware plans
Both plans send you notifications when the camera detects a person, package, or vehicle in the frame. These alerts are more specific than a straightforward "motion detected" message — the camera tries to identify what it sees and tells you which type of object triggered the alert. You can turn individual alert types on or off in the app, so you might choose to get alerts for people and packages but not for passing cars.
Nest Aware also includes activity zones, which let you draw a rectangle on your camera's video feed and receive alerts only for motion inside that zone. If your camera faces a busy street, you can create a zone that covers only your front door and driveway, so you do not get alerts every time a car drives past.
The subscription also unlocks person history, which shows you a timeline of every time a person was detected in your camera's view. You can scroll through these detections and watch the video clip from each one, rather than scrubbing through hours of footage to find when someone arrived.
How Nest Aware pricing works across regions
Nest Aware pricing is not the same everywhere. Google sets different prices for different countries and regions, and those prices change periodically. In the United States, pricing varies by state and carrier in some cases. The best way to find out what Nest Aware costs where you live is to open the Google Home app or visit the Nest website and check the subscription section.
Both the 30-day and 60-day plans are billed monthly. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through the app or your Google account settings. When you cancel, you lose access to cloud storage and the advanced alert features, but your camera continues to work — it just goes back to recording only when motion is detected.
Nest Aware versus no subscription: what changes
| Feature | Without Nest Aware | With Nest Aware |
|---|---|---|
| Video storage | Motion clips only, kept for a few hours | Continuous recording for 30 or 60 days |
| Live view | Yes, anytime | Yes, anytime |
| Person/package/vehicle alerts | Basic motion alerts only | Specific object detection alerts |
| Activity zones | No | Yes |
| Person history timeline | No | Yes |
| Video search by date | No | Yes |
Your camera works without Nest Aware — you can still watch live video and receive motion alerts. The subscription adds the ability to go back and watch what happened hours or days ago, and it makes those recordings searchable and organized by type of detection.
How to manage your Nest Aware subscription
You start or change your Nest Aware plan through the Google Home app. Open the app, select your camera, tap the settings icon, and look for the Nest Aware section. From there you can choose between the 30-day and 60-day plans, pause your subscription temporarily, or cancel it entirely.
Your subscription covers all Nest cameras and doorbells on your account — you do not pay per camera. If you have three Nest cameras, one Nest Aware subscription covers the cloud storage and alerts for all three. If you cancel the subscription, all three cameras lose access to cloud storage at the same time.
You can also manage your subscription through your Google Account settings on a computer. Go to your Google Account, select "Manage your Google Account," then find the Nest Aware section. The settings are the same whether you manage it from the app or the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Nest Aware before paying for it?
Google sometimes offers free trials of Nest Aware to new camera owners or existing customers, but trial availability varies by region and changes over time. Check the Nest Aware section of the Google Home app to see if a trial is currently available to you. If no trial is shown, you are not currently able to start one.
What happens to my video if I cancel Nest Aware?
When you cancel your subscription, Google deletes all stored video within a few days. Your camera continues to record motion clips locally for a few hours, but you lose access to the 30 or 60 days of cloud history. If you think you might want the subscription again later, read any important video before you cancel.
Does Nest Aware work if my internet is slow?
Nest Aware requires an internet connection to upload video to Google's servers and to let you watch stored footage. If your internet is very slow, uploads may take longer and playback may buffer. Your camera will continue recording, but the video will upload whenever bandwidth is available.
Can I use Nest Aware on multiple Google accounts?
No. Your Nest cameras are linked to one Google account, and the Nest Aware subscription is tied to that account. Other people can watch your cameras if you share them through the Google Home app, but only the account owner can manage the subscription.
Is there a way to store video without paying for Nest Aware?
Some Nest cameras have a microSD card slot that lets you store video locally on the camera itself, but this is not available on all models. Check your camera's specifications to see if it supports local storage. Local storage does not replace cloud backup — it only saves video to the camera, so if the camera is stolen or damaged, the footage is lost.