Is It Time to Convert To The New Nest Aware Subscription?

[@jaynunes2501]

Brian, Thank you so much for explaining these changes to the subscription in detail. It’s important to know what you’re gaining and losing. With two cameras it still is a good decision in my situation. Can’t wait to see new feature videos. I always appreciate all the work you do on automation topics.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Glad it was helpful Jay! Thanks so much as always!

[@berylwhite2983]

Still great information as always! Couldn't do without you. Have a great weekend

[@AutomateYourLife]

I couldn't do without you Mike! Thank you so much!

[@markmceathron2013]

Just one correction, amigo Nest Hello with the old Nest Aware Sub, already has package delivery, and has had it for several months. Almost a year, I believe. At least, mine has.

[@AutomateYourLife]

You know...I've been told this a few times now. Gotta be honest...didn't see it here in Canada so I walked forward with that assumption. Thanks!

[@markmceathron2013]

@@AutomateYourLife It's impossible to juggle all of the nuances of every device on the market, amigo. Yet, you do this better than most. My time is never wasted on your channel.

[@patrickbilodeau1298]

@@AutomateYourLife Hi. I live in Canada and package delivery notification work well but to well. If I forgot gloves or shoes in front a my doorbell, I receive a notification. So I don't use this feature

[@eclecticgentleman]

8 cameras, 9 if I count my hello nest doorbell. I'm loving the $12 a month

[@AutomateYourLife]

Oh I bet...yikes that would have been a price!

[@reviewassistant6891]

Is your internet not terrible with 9 cameras uploading?

[@eclecticgentleman]

@@reviewassistant6891 no, I'm with Comcast/Xfinity. They will lie to you, rip you off and over charge you but their service is top notch.

[@stella5045]

Does anyone have cameras at two physical addresses under one “home”- is pricing for all under the “home” or will there be a charge for each physical address?

[@AutomateYourLife]

That's a question for Nest, sadly. :) I can tell you that it will be difficult to setup under one account and have the home/away work right.

[@gary1580]

This was a great video, thank you. I have (2) homes setup with Nest. One has (3) cameras and the other has (6). I would like the Nest Aware Plus package which will save me a bundle of money for the home with 6 cameras. My question is regarding the migration to a Google account. Currently, we watch the cameras on an Android phone, iPhone, desktop computer, iPad, & Android tablet. I don't have any Nest integration with Amazon or anything "Works with Nest." Knowing that, do I have anything to worry about in regards to this migration? I just need to make sure the cameras will work with the devices I mentioned above. Also, for the home that has 6 cameras, I have already paid the yearly subscription fee for 10 day recording which is substantially more than the $120/year that they charge for the Nest Aware Plus. Do they give me a refund for the difference once I migrate? Thank you!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Gary, I believe that you should call them and walk through your process. That's the way to the best deal (refund/difference), at least from what I've been told! As for your other concerns, I have none. Your process should be easy and seamless. I've been told of a few issues with Apple products, but I believe that's mostly just odd cases.

[@gary1580]

@@AutomateYourLife Thanks so much for your quick reply. I found an answer to my question about the refund. Once you migrate, you setup payment for the new subscription and they charge you immediately. And then you will receive a prorated refund on the previous Nest subscription: support.google.com/googlenest/thread/26542168?hl=en

[@matthalle2071]

@@gary1580 I also got an email yesterday that says if you migrate to the new subscription model that you get a free nest mini too. Not a huge deal...but hey, if you were gonna switch now anyway, might as well do it now and get something for free to boot.

[@brianbutler9757]

As always, I love all the information and insight. Thanks!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thank you Brian!

[@hometechUK]

Be nice if the nest hub version 2 would have a camera WITH manual switch cover & ir lights if we ever get a version 2?

[@AutomateYourLife]

That device is on its way!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Although I don't think IR lights or manual switch cover. Don't know that though.

[@hometechUK]

@@AutomateYourLife Really o great the 10" is just too big for me so an upgrade hub with camera & speaker upgrade will be great. When do you thing it will be announced?

[@medichuey]

Thanks for the breakdown Brian! Given that I am hanging onto my Nest/Hubitat integration I don't think I'll be making the jump anytime soon. Unfortunately it seems that Google is moving at a snails pace to undo all of the damage that they've done in breaking those integrations:-(

[@AutomateYourLife]

It does seem to be taking an awful long time now....

[@Haywoodjablomie100]

Google essentially screwed me out of $1,000 with their "Works with Nest" fiasco so I'm stoked I'm with Alexa/Ring/SmartThings and Google will never be in my smart home. You watch they will kill off this new Nest Aware scheme in 12 months for the next bright idea at the time leaving a bunch of depreciated devices and legacy platforms in their wake. But thanks for the vid Brian, love what you do!

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks Haywood! This Works With Nest program was such a big deal for so many. I think if it was Wyze deprecating an old camera, people would be OK with it...but the Nest products were so expensive.

[@LisaSargent03]

I like 24/7 recording, so I am happy as is, with 3 cameras.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Fair enough! Glad you've evaluated! I think with 3 though, it would be a close comparison to the new Nest Aware program at the 24/7 recording. You'd get longer storage too, likely.

[@cardboardcrapbox4299]

@@AutomateYourLife Yes and you save $10! 3 cameras and up (5,5,10 day plan) to new

[@sliderALT]

Right now I only have the doorbell cam and I pay the $5 monthly fee for 24 hour recording. If I upgrade to their new $6 setup, I lose the 24 hour recording and would have to pay $12 to get it back, am I correct? So basically I should just stick to my old $5 setup unless I get more Google Nest cameras then and want 24/7 recording, right?

[@AutomateYourLife]

You're probably wanting to hold off, yep. Eventually they will make you move across, but for now...hold.

[@faengelm]

Very complete explanation! Thanks

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks for your info too Frank! It was really helpful for me to put this together. Technology4Seniors.com everyone!

[@rickimoran8665]

The new nest subscription more expensive if you have 2 or less cameras, yes you get 10 days as opposed to 5 but 5 days is enough for most, so its too expensive unless you have 3 or more cameras, they need to give options for people with 2 or less cams

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah...I think sadly they've made their decisions here and it's going to be this way for a bit.

[@rickimoran8665]

Automate Your Life yes I’ve been in contact with them but their not going to change it

[@sharaihanah]

That sucks so bad. Im from singapore and i just had the nest hello installed for my apartment. I want 24/7 recording like my previous zmodo doorbell had, but the price just doesn’t justify it 😩

[@lbarke2]

This is a great video, but I'm still so completely torn at this time. I have my Nest hello with a $5 subscription, I have my nest tub max with no subscription. Generally I have my camera off when I'm home and during this shelter in place that is a lot of time. If I go to the $6 plan I get that camera included but I lose 24/7 and I feel like there is some events that the camera does not catch that I've caught on the 24/7. Do I want to take that risk and get 30 days of that storage? Then get the full features of Nestor Max or save that dollar, oh the dilemma

[@AutomateYourLife]

It's a dilemma isn't it. I think for now it sounds like you have a good setup and maybe you just want to wait. :) There will come a time!

[@Klaatu_]

I have been holding off switching my Nest account to Google. I was wondering right now my Nest app on my ios device crashes a lot just after I open it. Not sure if this is because I am constantly asked if I want to switch over to Google. If I switch from the Nest account to a google do you know if that makes the app more stable?

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't think switching over will help it become stable. You've got something else going on there Gene, and I'm betting it's just that the Nest app is being left behind in terms of Dev time.

[@Dantastic123]

I’m confused about the sound detection feature. I’ve ALWAYS had that, and I’m on the original “per device” plan. Maybe because I have the outdoor iq cameras? They’re acting like it’s a new feature

[@AutomateYourLife]

Sound detection on the Nest Speakers. That wasn't there before!

[@Dantastic123]

Automate Your Life I’m telling you, I’ve ALWAYS had that feature. I got annoyed with it and turned it off right away because my neighbor’s dog set it off all the time when he barked. And that was a year ago. Maybe it was specific to the outdoor IQ model or something, but I definitely have and had it.

[@Dantastic123]

Go to Google’s own website, it says they’ve had it all along on the IQ version, even without a subscription ... support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9233159?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en Click the “features available for different cameras”, then the “cameras” drop downs.

[@barrywood7322]

I’m in the Uk and migrated to my Google account now I can’t get my nest protects on my hub or iPad because they can’t migrate, luckily enough they still work on my phone

[@AutomateYourLife]

Those protects...I really hope they do something there. And soon.

[@combatvolta]

I have the Hub Max so far the best!! And the Nest Aware new prices are pretty good .

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't have any complaints that's for sure. I agree too...the Nest Hub Max is the best device on the market.

[@keithdantonio680]

there is no way i would give up "continous recording" i live by the woods and love being able to rewind and see things through the night. ridiculous!

[@jaredbengford6251]

When you switch over to google from nest do you still use the nest app to look at camera’s, door lock, fire/CO detectors, and thermostats or do you have to use google home app?

[@AutomateYourLife]

You can use both during this transition time (except for the Fire/CO detectors). However, I think we'll eventually see the Nest app go away.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you Brian.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thank you Ron!

[@gary1580]

I nearly migrated when I came across a problem. I have two "homes" in my Nest account. Home#1 is my family's vacation home that we all have Nest access to and Home#2 is my personal home that I don't share Nest cameras with anyone. Just as I was about to migrate, I received this message "Combine your homes: Create a new unified Google Nest home, then invite members to join. They will have access to your home and devices in both the Nest and Home apps." This does not seem like it will work for me. I have to have a way to only share certain cameras with family members. I don't want them having access to the cameras in my private home, only the vacation home. It seems as though Google has completely taken this ability away? Am I missing something here?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Ahhhhh, they're talking about migrating your Google and Nest accounts, not your two Google Home Homes. Now worst case, I'd that happens (and I'm pretty sure they won't combine everything), you just move the devices you want into another "home" inside of the Google Home app? But I'd chat with their support team first. Definitely.

[@gary1580]

As a follow up, I saw this article: support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9155535?hl=en. I am wondering if this means that once I migrate and use the Google Home app, it will allow me to create new homes? What an utter disaster this migration is!

[@gary1580]

@@AutomateYourLife I emailed their community support. This has to be a problem many people share. I found this similar question: support.google.com/googlenest/thread/25476422?hl=en. It sounds like once I migrate my Nest account, I will be able to create homes.

[@gary1580]

I just spoke to a Google Nest support representative. He said that once you migrate your account to Google Home, your "homes" (aka "structures") stay the same and are not merged into one home. So if you have your business location and a residential home location, they will stay apart as they are now. However, he did mention that you will lose all of your video history. So if you're currently paying for 10 days of history, it will be lost. He mentioned that any clips you have created and saved into your Nest account will NOT be erased. One other thing I should mention that I'm not sure if you already know, once you migrate to Google Home and you want to invite family members to view your cameras, they will have FULL access to the home you give them access to. In other words, they will have access to add or delete cameras and there is no way of giving them Limited access like you do now before migration. They will have same administrative access that you do as well. Hope this helps!

[@stella5045]

Also- the log in to see the cameras- would anyone with access to my google email be able to log on to view cameras?

[@AutomateYourLife]

If you have 2 Factor Authentication turned on, first off you'll get a notice of an attempt to log in. Secondly, you should need to confirm their ability to enter the app with the login. But they will be able to try.

[@tomm5517]

Thank you Brian, i am not into the cameras yet. Living in an apartment has it drawbacks on certain things. I would like to ask you a question about my google mini. It is the first generation one. I have 2. the full size one and the mini. They are responding different than they use to. Is there some sort of update i can do or do i need to get the new google/ nest mini? Have a great day, talk to ya next time.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Tom - The updates come automatically! You shouldn't need to do anything except ride the wave of changes. That's why I show the stuff I do on my channel. It's a ride!

[@buckyg632]

The Sonos sound bar has always had the ability to listen for glass breaking or Co2 alarm. Sonos has both Google and Alexa built in.

[@AutomateYourLife]

True enough Bucky. Good point!

[@EsotericArctos]

And a price tag about 10 times as much as a Google Nest Mini.

[@buckyg632]

@@EsotericArctos Sonos is definitely worth the price.

[@EsotericArctos]

@@buckyg632 True, if you use the other Sonos features :)

[@stella5045]

Thank you for this fantastic information! One more quick question- Aside of integrated (IFTTT etc.) what are the pitfalls of moving my Nest account to Google? What issues are people experiencing? If you made a video about that specific process please link me! I love the Nest App- can I keep it after migrating my account?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Stella - So I think most people that have things like SmartThings integration, IFTTT are the ones running into issues. If you just have Nest cameras, the transition is very smooth and worth it if you have the Nest Aware subscription because of the costs...usually.

[@stella5045]

Thank you!

[@Andrewstech]

Im on Ring but still found this useful if I ever make the switch

[@AutomateYourLife]

Thanks Andrew! Take care.

[@lmsvenjargenstedt5561]

Great video. A question: With Nest aware, does the Nest outdoor camera has the possibility not to send notifications or alerts when animals are in the area? Or is it just for Nest Outdoor IQ

[@AutomateYourLife]

No you'll get motion/sound notifications on any Nest Camera.

[@NeilNatic]

I would love to see a video talking about specifically what breaks when you migrate to new account. I am a ST user and I just don't know what migrating means to my environment. I have the following but I don't think they are best integrations. 1. Google minis broadcast messages (cast-web-api) 2. ST products are accessible to Google home I have nest thermostats but honestly don't care if that is the only function I lose in the account migration process. I am considering cams but it isn't the end of the world if those done go either. My wyze cams don't so it doesn't bother me.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Neil, this is a great question for an upcoming Q&A about Google Home products I'm going to do! I can break it down for you this way. The Works With Nest program is really only for the original Nest products. Nest Thermostat, Nest Cameras, Nest Guard, Nest Protect. The new speakers and general integration into Google Home isn't affected. It's IFTTT (for those above, not Google Assistant), SmartThings (for those above, not what you're doing). Many people are using it for Alexa and SmartThings integration right now with Nest Cameras or the Nest Thermostat.

[@NeilNatic]

@@AutomateYourLife thank you! I will likely take the plunge and convert soon. My wife really wants nest aware and I'm definitely on board.

[@gregblue8113]

I just discovered this channel, and I am blown away impressed! I'm pretty new to smart home tech - and had a quick question hopefully someone can answer. If I buy 3 Google Nests (one for each floor of the house, should I also buy 3 Google Nest routers, or do the Nests and Nest Max act as routers?

[@AutomateYourLife]

Blown away impressed is a pretty nice comment, thank you Greg! So the Google nest Hub, Mini, Max, or Google Nest Cameras do not act as WiFi access points. You'd need a Google Nest WiFi system. Here's my review of that. I think it might help! I use a Router + Access point pack of Google Nest WiFi's Mesh system: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHvOcoVnmpZ6psU

[@davidrusk4053]

Great informative videos. My situation is a bit different so I have a question. We have 2 houses, each with several nest outdoor cameras, a Nest Thermostat (3rd generation) in each house, and a Nest Hello doorbell in each house. I have no integration or IFTT, just the devices viewed via the Nest App. The houses are over 1,000 miles apart. My questions: 1. Will there be any need for me to be physically at either house to migrate my Nest Account to my Google Account? My fear is I migrate and lose access to the devices that are in the house where I'm not and perhaps they need to be rebooted during the migration. I don't want to have to drive 1,000 miles just to regain access to the devices. 2. I have read that there are migration issues that involve one's existing Google Account. Some have said they had to create a new Google Account. Is there any truth to that? Thanks so much!

[@AutomateYourLife]

I think your situation warrants a direct conversation with Nest and Google support, because that's a very big impact if I get anything wrong. My sense is you don't need to be physically at either location and that the migration path is not a big deal for you, but things like the Nest app on an Android TV...no longer works. Your phones, sure. I've migrated a few folks and there's been no physical interaction, but...talk to Nest. Please.

[@davidrusk4053]

@@AutomateYourLife thank you for the advice, much appreciated! I'll contact Nest and Google support as you recommend.

[@MrRiceOwl]

@@AutomateYourLife thank you for the good advice. I contacted Google and they confirmed your opinion that I don't have to be physically present to migrate my Nest Account to my Google Account.

[@norcobf]

When I'm forced to migrate my Nest/Google accounts, I might just drop my one Nest Aware account for my Google Hello and add a new self hosted security cameras. As you know I love my Google products, but these Nest Aware pricing models make it more frustrating and expensive to use anything above a more basic features (Package ID) without forking out more money.... Any idea Brian, when the new Google Home integration (Works will Google) will be updated for Lutron, iRobot, SmartThings, IFTT, etc? That's what is holding me back migrating to the new Google HOME account, the fear of breaking what I already have working. My wife recently lost her Nest app on her phone and is now being forced to migrate when trying to reinstall the existing app (not just reinstall the Nest App) ☹️. Frustrating 👎. So now she can only control the Nest thermostat with her voice, not the app. ☹️😢.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah see...this is the big issue for many of you. The sad thing Bruce, is that any of those options you mentioned...I don't see coming right back around for Google. They have not spoken to me even once about any of those other integrations coming back around for Nest. Companies have to come into Works With Google Assistant, and that's the direction of integration. So it all comes back to Google having the ability to execute automation within their system. Which should have been out by now.

[@ChrisBiddulph]

Hi Brian. I live in the UK and have the old nest aware subscription. I pay yearly and it runs out in January. If I sign up to the new subscription, do I loose the money I have already paid? Or do they start the new subscription when the old one runs out? I’m a big fan by the way. :)

[@AutomateYourLife]

Hey Chris, I wish I could tell you exactly what will happen, but I doubt that you'd forfeit any money in renewing now under the new plan. That's something I haven't looked at specifically and can't find an answer to, so I'd suggest you actually chat with Google on that one.

[@ChrisBiddulph]

Automate Your Life Hi Brian, I’ve just subscribed to the new Nest Aware and got a prorated refund for the remaining time of my previous subscription. Just thought I would update you. :)

[@armingettin1598]

I am of the opinion that all of the upgrades/migrations, etc., although essential to progress, go a long way in preventing the general public from adopting anything from the world of smart home or home automation products. I would go so far as to say that, at this point in time, most products are designed for the enthusiast, not the buying public at large. I have no idea where the balance lies between ease of use and innovation, but I do know that place is quite a long way from where we are now. And it exists down a very long and complicated road .

[@AutomateYourLife]

Very interesting take. I like a lot of what you've said here.

[@Tanquen]

I just wish they'd stop blocking local recording to like a NAS or something. Even if I have power like during the last fire season I didn't have internet so no cameras. Allow local recording and then make nest aware so good that people will pay for it instead of strong arming them into it just so that they can look at their video that they recorded with their own cameras.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Agreed! No need to withhold something like that.

[@EsotericArctos]

Personally, I could take or leave 24/7 recording, as long as recordings can still be made when in alert mode. I am not sure how many people really would go looking over the 24/7 recordings. I know I don't. I only want to look at the alert times. Everyone is different, but I thing the new subscription would be more beneficial if I was using the Nest ecosystem. The pricing to feature ratio is pretty good really compared to a lot of the competitors. If you have 3 or more camera's then it is really a no brainer to move to the new scheme, if you are totally into the Google Nest ecosystem. It is obviously going to be a big issue for people using third party integrations.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Spot on Brendan. I also found 24/7 recording to be hard on routers/wifi systems and really overall usage as well. That's a lot of GB streaming all the time.... I think that's part of the reason they removed it for most.

[@EsotericArctos]

@@AutomateYourLife Exactly. Most internet plans have pretty low speed upload compared to download and if that upload is maxed out, it brings the whole system to a halt due to acknowledge packets not being able to be sent. If you need 24/7 recording, cloud based systems are not the way to go.

[@AutomateYourLife]

Yeah...that should be internally managed hey

[@oldmaninthemirror]

I still think my original amazon echo sounds the best of the inexpensive devices..balanced sound not heavy bass

[@AutomateYourLife]

The original hey? I have a second gen Echo and I do still like that speaker vs many. Good stuff!

[@HughD]

Thanks for the information, Brian. I'm a Google fan, but for smart home products and services I'll have to pass. Google's track record of abandoning products/services and leaving users behind is not good. Without getting into a "religious" war, there are just too many good alternatives these days that haven't burned users the way Google has.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I don't disagree with your take on it Hugh! I'm actually coming around to some ST/Alexa content that I've had planned for a while.

[@rainafortini5797]

You literally start out by saying “you will no longer have the 24 seven service and “not clear on exactly what you mean by this and I’m listening for 10 minutes to all this other complicated crap that I have no idea why anyone would even want like recognizing your dog barking OMG how long do I have to keep listening to get a straight answer my God why would they take away 24 seven? So when the guy tries to break into my car it only works during the 12hr appts?

[@AutomateYourLife]

24/7 means recording constantly. It'll always monitor and if it thinks it needs to record, it will.

[@tmic4790]

Nest just doubled my Nest Aware plan from $80 to $160. Nest sucks. I cancelled yesterday. Feb 16/24 the same day they emailed me if doubling the price. I will never again buy a GOGGLE or NEST product. All… do yourself a favour and never buy these products.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I got the email too. Looks like it might get integrated into Google One

[@Rusty7221]

Time to switch to unifi protects.

[@AutomateYourLife]

I've seen a few folks do that. Not great integration with other systems though is the only issue.