Google Nest Aware is the subscription that unlocks cloud recording and person detection on Nest cameras

Google Nest cameras work without a subscription — they show you a live feed and send alerts when motion is detected. But if you want the camera to record video to the cloud so you can watch what happened while you were away, or if you want the camera to tell the difference between a person and a passing car, you need Nest Aware, Google's paid subscription plan.

Nest Aware costs $12 per month or $120 per year for one camera. If you have multiple cameras, you can add them to the same subscription for $4 per month each. There is also a Nest Aware Plus tier at $20 per month or $200 per year that includes 24/7 recording instead of event-based recording, plus some additional features like video history going back 60 days instead of 30.

You do not have to buy a subscription to use your Nest camera at all. Many people use the free features — live view, motion alerts, and two-way talk — without ever paying. The subscription is only necessary if cloud recording matters to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Nest Aware ($12/month or $120/year) gives you cloud recording and person detection, which lets you watch video from when you were not home.
  • Without a subscription, your camera shows live video and sends motion alerts, but does not save recordings to the cloud.
  • Nest Aware Plus ($20/month or $200/year) records 24/7 instead of only when motion is detected, and keeps video history for 60 days instead of 30.
  • One subscription covers multiple cameras if you add them to the same account, though each additional camera costs $4 per month on the base plan.

What cloud recording means and why you might want it

When your Nest camera detects motion, it can save that video clip to Google's servers instead of only showing it to you live. That recording stays there for 30 days (or 60 days on Nest Aware Plus), so you can rewatch it anytime — even weeks later — without needing to keep the camera or a separate hard drive running at home.

Without cloud recording, the camera still sends you an alert when motion happens, and you can open the app to watch live. But once you close the app, that moment is gone. If you want to know what the delivery driver did with your package or review what happened during a break-in, cloud recording is the only way to see it after the fact.

Local storage — recording to an SD card inside the camera or a hard drive on your home network — is not an option with Nest cameras. Cloud recording through Nest Aware is the only way to save video.

Person detection and other features included with Nest Aware

Nest Aware turns on person detection, which means the camera learns to recognize when a human is in the frame versus a car, animal, or tree blowing in the wind. Instead of getting an alert every time a leaf moves, you get alerts only when a person appears. This cuts down on false alarms significantly.

The subscription also includes activity zones, which let you draw a box on your camera's view and tell it to ignore motion outside that area. If your camera points at a busy street, you can set a zone that covers only your front door and skip alerts from passing traffic.

Nest Aware Plus adds 24/7 recording, which means the camera records continuously instead of only when motion is detected. This is useful if you want to catch something that does not trigger motion detection — like someone standing still, or a slow-moving vehicle — or if you straightforward want a complete record of everything that happened.

How to set up a Nest Aware subscription

Open the Google Home app on your phone, select your camera, tap the Settings icon (gear), and scroll down to find "Nest Aware." Tap it and you will see the option to start a subscription. Google will show you the monthly and yearly prices and ask you to confirm your payment method.

Once you subscribe, the cloud recording and person detection turn on automatically. You do not need to do anything else. If you have multiple cameras, you can add them to the same subscription from the same menu — the first camera is included in the base price, and each additional one costs $4 per month (or $40 per year if you pay annually).

You can cancel anytime from the same Settings menu. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access through the end of that billing period, and your video history disappears 30 days after your subscription ends.

What happens to your video after your subscription ends

When your Nest Aware subscription is active, video clips are stored on Google's servers for 30 days (Nest Aware) or 60 days (Nest Aware Plus). If you cancel your subscription, Google keeps those recordings for an additional 30 days, then deletes them. You cannot read them or move them anywhere else.

If you want to keep a recording permanently, you need to read it to your phone or computer while your subscription is still active or during that 30-day grace period after cancellation. The Google Home app lets you save individual clips, though there is no bulk read option.

Comparing Nest Aware to local storage and other options

Nest cameras do not support local storage like some other security cameras do. You cannot plug in an SD card or connect to a home network drive to record locally. If cloud recording is not for you, a Nest camera may not be the right fit — you would need a different brand that offers local storage.

Some people use a combination: they keep a Nest camera for its live view and alerts, but also set up a separate security camera with local storage for permanent recording. This costs more upfront but gives you full control over your video and no monthly fees.

If you only need live view and motion alerts and do not care about reviewing past video, the free features of a Nest camera are enough. Many users never pay for a subscription and are satisfied with what they get.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Nest Aware to see live video from my camera?

No. Live view is free. You only need the subscription if you want the camera to save video to the cloud so you can watch it later. Without a subscription, you can still open the app anytime and see what the camera is seeing right now.

Can I try Nest Aware before I pay for it?

Google sometimes offers a free trial period for new Nest camera owners, usually 30 days. Check the Nest Aware section in the Google Home app to see if a trial is available for your camera. After the trial ends, you will be charged unless you cancel.

What is the difference between Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus?

Nest Aware records when motion is detected and keeps video for 30 days. Nest Aware Plus records 24/7 and keeps video for 60 days. Plus also includes some additional features like video history search. Choose Plus if you want a complete record of everything; choose the base plan if you only care about motion events.

If I have two cameras, do I need two subscriptions?

No. One Nest Aware subscription covers multiple cameras. The first camera costs $12 per month, and each additional camera costs $4 per month. So two cameras would be $16 per month total, not $24.

Can I read my video recordings and keep them forever?

You can read individual clips while your subscription is active or within 30 days of cancellation. But there is no way to bulk read all your video, and Google does not support exporting to a permanent storage service. Once the 30-day grace period ends, the recordings are deleted.