What Google Nest Subscription Includes
Google Nest Subscription is a paid service that adds cloud storage, video history, and advanced features to your Nest cameras, doorbells, and displays. Without a subscription, your Nest devices record video but store it only locally or for a very short time. A subscription extends how long you can watch past recordings and unlocks features like person detection, package detection, and activity zones.
The subscription comes in two tiers. The basic tier covers one camera or doorbell and stores 30 days of video history in the cloud. The more expensive tier covers up to 10 devices and also includes professional monitoring for Nest find systems if you have one. Both tiers include the same detection features — the difference is mainly the number of devices covered and whether professional monitoring is included.
You do not need a subscription to use your Nest device at all. It will still record video, send you alerts, and let you watch live footage through the app. The subscription straightforward extends how far back you can look and adds a few convenience features on top.
Key Takeaways
- Google Nest Subscription stores 30 days of video history in the cloud; without it, you can only see live video or very recent clips.
- The basic tier covers one device; the premium tier covers up to 10 devices and includes professional monitoring for Nest find.
- Person detection, package detection, and activity zones are included with any subscription tier.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time, and your device will continue to work — you just lose cloud storage and advanced features.
The Two Subscription Tiers and What They Cost
Google offers Nest Subscription through two separate plans. The Nest Aware plan covers one camera or doorbell and costs a set monthly amount (the exact price varies by region and changes over time). The Nest Aware Plus plan covers up to 10 devices and costs more per month. Both plans renew automatically each month unless you cancel.
You can also pay for a full year upfront on either plan, which usually costs less per month than paying monthly. If you have multiple devices, you do not need separate subscriptions for each one — one Nest Aware Plus subscription covers all of them, up to 10.
Google sometimes offers discounts or free trial periods when you first set up a device. These trials typically last 30 days, after which the subscription converts to paid unless you cancel. Check your device's setup screen or the Google Home app to see whether a trial is active on your account.
How to Start or Cancel a Subscription
To add a subscription, open the Google Home app on your phone, select your Nest device, tap the settings icon, and look for a "Nest Aware" or "Subscribe" option. The app will show you the available plans, the cost, and the renewal date. You can choose to pay monthly or annually from that screen.
Payment goes to your Google Account, using whatever payment method you have on file there. Your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month (or year, if you chose annual billing). You can change your plan — for example, upgrade from basic to plus — at any time through the same settings screen.
To cancel, go back to that same settings screen and select "Cancel subscription." Your access to cloud storage and advanced features stops when ready, but your device keeps working. If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can do so without losing your device setup.
What Happens to Your Video Without a Subscription
Your Nest camera or doorbell will still record video and send you alerts even without a subscription. The difference is where the video goes and how long you can access it. Without a subscription, video is stored only on your device's local storage (if it has any) or on your home network, not in Google's cloud.
This means you can watch live video through the app anytime, and you can usually see clips from the last few hours or the last day, depending on your device model. But you cannot look back weeks or months the way you can with a subscription. If your device is stolen or damaged, any video stored only locally is gone.
Some Nest devices, like the Nest Hub Max, can store a small amount of video locally without a subscription. Others, like the Nest Doorbell (wired), store almost nothing locally and rely on cloud storage for any history beyond live view. Check your device's manual to see what local storage it has.
Person Detection, Packages, and Activity Zones
With a Nest Subscription, your camera can tell the difference between a person, an animal, and a vehicle. Without a subscription, it sends an alert for any motion. Person detection is useful because it filters out alerts from blowing leaves or passing cars, so you only get notified when someone is actually at your door.
Package detection is a feature that recognizes when a delivery has been left at your door and sends you a specific alert for that. Activity zones let you draw a box on your camera's view and only get alerts for motion inside that box — for example, you might set a zone for your front porch but not the street beyond it.
All of these features require a subscription. They work by analyzing the video on Google's servers, not on your device itself. If you cancel your subscription, the alerts go back to motion-only, and you lose the ability to set activity zones.
Professional Monitoring and Nest find
If you have a Nest find system (a home security hub with door and window sensors), the Nest Aware Plus subscription includes the option to add professional monitoring. This means a monitoring center can be alerted if your system detects a break-in and can contact emergency services on your behalf.
Professional monitoring is not automatic — you have to turn it on separately and may need to provide emergency contact information and your address. There is usually an additional monthly fee for professional monitoring on top of the Nest Aware Plus subscription cost, though this varies by region and provider.
If you have Nest Aware (the basic tier) and a Nest find system, you can still use the system to arm and disarm it, but professional monitoring is not available. You would need to upgrade to Nest Aware Plus to add that service.
Sharing Your Subscription Across Devices and Accounts
One Nest Aware Plus subscription covers up to 10 devices on the same Google Account. If you have a spouse or family member with their own Google Account, they can still watch the cameras through the Google Home app if you share the device with them — but the subscription is tied to your account, not theirs.
If you want multiple people to have their own subscriptions, each person would need their own Google Account and their own subscription. This is useful if you have a rental property or a second home and want separate billing for each location.
You can also share individual devices with other Google Accounts without sharing the subscription. The other person can watch live video and recent clips, but they cannot access the full 30-day history unless they have their own subscription on their account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for a subscription to use my Nest camera?
No. Your camera will record and send you alerts without a subscription. You just cannot look back more than a few hours or a day, and you do not get person detection or package alerts. A subscription is optional.
Can I try Nest Subscription before I pay for it?
Google often includes a free 30-day trial when you first set up a device. Check the Google Home app to see if a trial is active on your account. After the trial ends, the subscription converts to paid unless you cancel.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
Your device keeps working and recording, but you lose access to cloud storage and advanced features like person detection. You can resubscribe at any time without losing your device setup.
Can I upgrade from Nest Aware to Nest Aware Plus?
Yes. Open the Google Home app, go to your device settings, and select the option to change your plan. The change takes effect when ready, and your billing adjusts for the new price.
Does my subscription cover cameras at multiple locations?
Yes, if they are all on the same Google Account. Nest Aware Plus covers up to 10 devices total, regardless of where they are located. Nest Aware covers only one device.