Using Google Nest Cameras with Apple Home in 2024...Pros & Cons

[@ericspinks8746]

I’m still using my original Nest Outdoor cameras. I think I got them in 2016. I’d love to update them, but 24/7 recording is an absolute must for me.

[@oldkid6]

It's truly unbelievable Google is leaving money on the table without coming out with a new 4K camera. You hit on every point on how I feel about the 24/7 video recording, not only do we need it but it has to be sharper and not throw so many false notifications. I'm still using the Nest app and so far it still works, but if you say Google Home App is better and the way to go I may have to give it a try. Also, Apple is truly dropping the ball by not getting into the security camera game, yes, they are probably working on something right now but they are so far behind.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I 100% agree with all you said here.

[@mikeq2416]

I have all Nest now with Starling and these cameras are the best for me. It works well and I get notifications on the displays plus Apple TV. Good for me 👍👍!!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

You definitely get the best of both worlds that way.

[@FatKidLi]

Me tooooo. I love starling. Doesn’t work perfectly all the time but I looove HomeKit and love nest cams and doorbell

[@007frankie1]

I’ve been using a mix of first generation nest cams, and some of the latest along with the Sterling Home and it’s been rocksolid for years, I definitely see better resolution with the newer generations, but until the old ones die, I’m gonna stick with it, keep up the fight George

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

So strange that Nest + Starling works better than the native cameras, but it’s definitely the case. Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@TheBayArea831]

Ive had my wired nest cam for over 6yrs. It no longer stays recording like it used too. Im thinking its old. I have the settings to high alert. I did purchase newer battery cam. But it didnt last very long, purchased a electric cord for power and i still had problems. Returned it.

[@ubacow7109]

Was considering the Wyze and alternative brand cameras but the need for detection and connectivity made me go w/ the nest

[@JoeySavage]

I love my google nest no issue no problems best thing I like it takes 2 months for the battery to get low before charge

[@akui88]

Google home app is terrible, why can’t i manually set “home/away”. I dont want to be notified that a camera sees me and if i use the google aware feature, if i leave my other cell phone at home i get no notifications… In the old nest app, i set “home” no notifications, set “away” get notifications on all my presets. Also, still no scrolling to view older nest cams on google home app. I am still buying nest cams. Just have eufy cams for notifications…

[@yeppiam]

I have several Nest Cam Indoor - 1st Generation - Wired Indoor Cameras- stick with 'google home' or is there another app they'll work with? Price went up a lot when google bought out nest...

[@SandeepSawhney]

Ok, so I was using the same Google Nest battery with Starling, which has a few issues. There is a lot of latency between when the bell rings, and I get the notification, which is not really an issue, but it's more noticeable when you try to talk to someone at the door. Second, the battery camera is connected to power and yet, starling does not allow you to use Homekit secure video, The 6$ a month free, You cant delete an individual clip from a recordings

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Weird. I have no latency with my doorbell camera, both for the ring & voice. Starling has made this better for me, compared to any native video doorbell I’ve tried. You can 100% use HKSV with the battery camera as long as it’s constantly powered. Maybe you didn’t enable it in the Starling settings? Because it’s definitely possible. I’m using HKSV on 3 battery cameras as we speak.

[@SandeepSawhney]

@@GeorgeLangabeer@GeorgeLangabeer Thanks, that's odd; in the starling interface, it said you have no device that supports HKSV. I don't use it anymore else i would have tested, moved to aqara for now; till you find the next perfect one :)

[@Xambonii]

Wouldn't you potentially be able to install some infrared floodlights nearby to extend the range of the night vision camera?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

It could possibly help, but it depends on the location of the floodlight. Sometimes when you have low quality camera night vision, a floodlight will do nothing but blind the lens. So you want to make sure you position the camera in a good spot in relation to the floodlight.

[@pol552]

Great video mate .... When you have the 24/7 recording on ,,, can you still have the option to receive motion detection notifications ,,,,, or is it 1 or the other . Thanks

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thanks! You can still get various event notifications.

[@pol552]

@@GeorgeLangabeer brilliant , thanks for the reply and video .

[@Tukker62]

Greetings from the Netherlands. I am enjoying your movies from here.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Greetings! That’s awesome. Glad you’re enjoying them. I appreciate the support.

[@king_Charles501]

Eufy has 24/7 recording on the wired camera. Also most of there cameras have on board storage. In my experience, they still save recordings when wifi is out but not when the homebase is off. Google definitely got them beat in AI do. Google also has them beat on compatibility and being able to show all cameras at once

[@talangofuatukuafu3308]

Thank you for the video @GeorgeLangabeer. Just curious, I have brand new Nest Cam Indoor Outdoor battery cameras, I bought 4, but I have watched other videos that say that 24/7 video recording only works if you have the cameras plugged in to an electrical outlet. Can you confirm that the newer models can record 24/7 WITHOUT being plugged in to an electrical outlet? Thanks again for the great videos!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

They have to be plugged in.

[@Owenvisture]

Thanks for the useful video. The wired camera should be the most reliable for now. But still wondering is there any chance to get rid of those "wire". The Wifi camera deploy is quite tricky though, signal is easy to be shielded by the metal door or thick wall between the router and cam. Did you try to add a Wifi Amp station close the the cam to enhance the signal and did it help? If the Wifi probelm happen to most of the cams, the probem should be "Wifi" itself, things OEM can do is limited by it.

[@kevinhluch8243]

Thanks for the video...have been struggling with the Ring/Nest/Google question for a while. Have been with Apple products since '87 and would like to use the Home App and not Google.. Will be integrating the Nest products with Starling hub as you have recommended as soon as I install the Nest Yale lock for the front door...your video was MOST helpful. Thank you. By the way, when Nest/Google eliminated support for the Nest Guard system they lost a LOT of customers. Customers lost a LOT of money when their Nest Guard systems were unceremoniously unplugged by Google. I hope there's a class-action lawsuit...

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yeah; it sucked when they did that. I was hoping it was because they had a good replacement, but not the case.

[@kevinhluch8243]

@@GeorgeLangabeer They left people high and dry...One would think that the Guard system could still be used even if it weren't connected to the internet....instead it seems all the window/door/motion sensors and hub are now just junk and won't work even if you're home...no alerts, nothing.

[@jeroenjonker]

just got the outdoor wired and not getting any notifications big bummer no idea why, toggled on and off the notifications switch

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Are you talking notifications in Google Home or Apple Home?

[@camexplora9742]

Hi, how did you manage to get the nest cam image preview in the Google home app. I have the nest cam wired and it does not give me a preview until I click into it. Thanks

[@DGYtown]

The hammer 🔨 laying down another solid video. I’ve been rocking google cameras for awhile now. Maybe you can answer this, my google floodlight camera light stays on 24x7. I turn it off on the app and it turns on again at random

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thank you sir! I unfortunately can’t speak to that issue, because I haven’t encountered it myself. I don’t use that Floodlight personally, but my Mom (from my floodlight videos) still does and many of my customers do. But none of them have reached out to me with that issue.

[@keithdouglas8707]

did google fix the time stamp issue? If you download your video the time and date stamp are missing

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Unfortunately, still no time stamp on downloaded footage using Google Home.

[@keithdouglas8707]

@@GeorgeLangabeer That's unfortunate. Thanks for replying

[@LonestarTrent]

Sad to say Google is bad about starting things and not sticking to it my feeling is I doubt there going to make anymore nest cams

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Sad, but true.

[@zz-.-]

How does the performance of the nest cameras, in the Google home app compare to nest cameras in Apple HomeKit? For me with Google home it loads slow, is clunky, doesn’t bring up the recordings quickly, etc. same for you? Better with HomeKit?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

It’s better with Starling & HomeKit

[@zz-.-]

@@GeorgeLangabeer wonderful thanks 👍

[@ranybo75]

Hey George, I've been enjoying your content and was curious about your thoughts on Unifi Protect. As someone invested in the Unifi ecosystem, it seemed like a natural fit for me, but I'd love to hear your professional take on it. The WiFi cameras offer 2K resolution and seem competitively priced, with the added bonus of having an Apple TV app and Homebridge integration. I understand these might not align perfectly with your channel's focus, but they're gaining popularity nonetheless. Keep up the great work!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

The Unifi ecosystem is very solid. I would say Unifi is the closest you can get to “professional grade” without being professional grade, If that makes sense. I would place their stuff one level above brands like Reolink.

[@martinlatulippe]

Good morning, Thank you for sharing your experience with Google Nest Cam and Starling Home Hub. I would like to know if there is a scaling (latency) or a loss of image quality when the videos are transmitted by the Starling hub? Is it very reactive and snappy on Apple Home? I have tested the integration with the HOOBS solution (Google to Home kit) and I must say that integration was not very good (30 sec latency from realty to image).

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

As I said in the video, my experience with Google Nest & Starling with Apple Home has been more seamless than any native Apple Home camera I have tried. No latency & actually more reactive than any other camera I’ve tried. I also don’t experience the dreaded “offline” problem with this combo. It’s a better experience in every aspect. The people at Starling clearly know what they’re doing.

[@martinlatulippe]

@@GeorgeLangabeer, Thanks for your response. You convinced me to try the Starling service.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I love it.

[@allensaelee6707]

I have 2 outdoor IQs from 2019 on Nest aware on nest app. Bought a new 2023 camera & can not get the 24/7 recording as u describbed. I return the camera in 2023 & was about to leave nest. Still using the old IQs on the nest App. Because the google home App still does not play it 24/7 like the nest App does. I Just updated my google home app today 04/08/2024 and it only still view events. I go back to my Nest app and have the 24/7 scrolling method.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Weird. Something isn’t right then. I’ve installed hundreds of these cameras for our customers & have a few of the newer cameras myself. No issues with 24/7 on the Google Home App with any of them. In fact, since they’ve finally updated the Google Home App with 24/7 recording, I find most of our customers like it more than the Nest App…& I would agree with them. I’d call Nest support if I were you.

[@allensaelee6707]

@@GeorgeLangabeer strange, yeah I just deleted the App and reinstalled it. Logged into my Google account. Same thing. Bottom shows Live & more. Or if i go to full history its all the events only Up to 60 days. No 24/7 anywhere. I still operate out of my nest App because of the easy 24/7 scroll. I assumed it was because i have the IQs that they were older. I guess next step Nest Support

[@talangofuatukuafu3308]

@@allensaelee6707 just curious if you were able to figure out your issue, having a similar issue as well. Also curious, does the battery nest cam have to be plugged in to get 24/7 recording? Thanks for any tips.

[@allensaelee6707]

@@talangofuatukuafu3308 still the same issue, i have not contacted nest. But i am still using the nest app for the 24/7 recording and easy scroll because google app still doesnt have the feature like this youtube states it does. Or else i wouldve bought more cameras

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yes. The battery camera has to be plugged in for 24/7

[@robertg506]

Where do you go to see it on the compouter

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Nest Cameras? If you use the Starling Home, you can see your cameras on the Apple Home App using a Mac or MacBook. You’re not going to see your cameras on a Windows computer.

[@c.patricksadowski9959]

how long do the batteries last?

[@jlippeatt]

I switched to Eufy E340 and E330 Pro with Base 3

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Both are decent choices. Liking them so far?

[@JoseLopez-ft1bx]

How did you get your cameras to display live on a tv? 7:19 time stamp.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Using The Starling Home Hub, you can see your Nest cameras on an Apple TV, just like any other HomeKit compatible camera.

[@rickbaldwin5042]

So if I have google nest cameras & I want to view all my cameras at once on the same screen & I buy a 32" smart TV... Will this kit allow me to do that? I had a wired 24 hour hard wired swan system but I moved to nest cam for the wireless. I have google home & that is how I can look at my cameras but I want to be able to see ALL of them on a 32" TV wile im laying on my couch. Any help?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

It won’t work simply using your smart tv, but if you add an Apple TV to that television, you would be able to see them all at the same time.

[@rickbaldwin5042]

gotcha so there is no other soulution. No apps I can download or anything? i HAVE to have an apple TV to view all at once?@@GeorgeLangabeer

[@rickbaldwin5042]

matter which version apple tv? And so if I add an apple tv what are the steps I take after that? Appreciate the info@@GeorgeLangabeer

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

@rickbaldwin5042 It needs to be one of the newer models of the Apple TV. You’ll also need The Starling Home Hub to use the Google Nest cameras with the Apple TV.

[@kbrunner85]

Is there a way to view/hear multiple nest cameras on another android or windows platform?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Not that I know of.

[@erbartlett]

What nest camera records locally? I have a bunch of these and im not aware of any that do local recording?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

The indoor/outdoor battery cameras do (if they lose WiFi).

[@rodb1294]

Does wired google nest still record if wifi drops or lose power?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yes. For approximately 1 hour.

[@Nanoscot]

There is meant to be a new ones coming from Google this year for cameras and Google wifi . Tapo color pro looks good

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yeah, “meant to be”. We’ll see. Hopefully it’s true. On the Wi-Fi side of things, Tapo’s Color Pro beats all the competition by far.

[@adambrown5903]

Would love to find a source to this rumor? I’m patiently waiting for a 2k camera from Google.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

@adambrown5903 It’s a weak rumor at best. I’ll believe it when I see it.

[@RandySimpson-i4w]

Wussup Bro I been using these cameras for a couple months now and every time I try and watch the video live it keep constantly buffing…Any Suggestions to help stop that?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Watching them in the Google Home App or the Apple Home App (with Starling)?

[@RandySimpson-i4w]

@@GeorgeLangabeer google Home app

[@RandySimpson-i4w]

@@GeorgeLangabeer Google Home app

[@docack3401]

how do you install it on your home computer

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Install what exactly?

[@Everesl]

My nest system dosent record offline

[@JesusArturoMungarro10]

Have you used vivint cameras?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Yep. They are horrible.

[@markeisharobinson6437]

This is our first time setting up surveillance. Maybe I missed this.. but what’s your favorite indoor/outdoor surveillance? Ring, google etc.. thanks!!!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

My favorite is a wired NVR system from Alibi Security.

[@markeisharobinson6437]

@@GeorgeLangabeer is that renter friendly?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Eufy is my favorite brand as a renter.

[@herovello]

Hi George, I just bought myself some nest wired cameras and I'm trying to figure out the best solution to hide the wire. What kind of faceplate/set up do you have for your indoor camera at 1:19 - 1:24. Please and thank you.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I’m using the same type of simple wall plate you’d use for a coax cable hook up. Then I’m hiding the power cable in my laundry closet.

[@herovello]

@@GeorgeLangabeer thanks very much

[@iamrachb]

I want to see all my cameras on the screen, how are you doing that

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Using the Starling Home Hub & an Apple TV

[@BrandWin-zu1je]

Worth buying now? Doorbell is $80 off and cameras are $60 off. Can get doorbell and two cameras for $340.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

At this point, I can’t recommend getting the Nest cameras new. Mostly because of the 1080p resolution & horrible night vision. There are too many 2K & 4K options out there that have much better color night vision. The Nest cameras are long overdue for a refresh.

[@BrandWin-zu1je]

@ Thanks! what do you recommend for doorbell and two outdoor cameras? So many options out there.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Eufy’s dual lens doorbell & the S340 camera

[@BrandWin-zu1je]

@ thanks!

[@itsmePassport]

Why dont people put the door bell at head height.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

1. Most people use the existing doorbell wiring & that wiring is not at head level. 2. These video doorbells are not designed to be at head height. If you install it that high you won’t be taking advantage of the intended viewing angle. 3. Most video doorbells have package detection. You’re not going to see packages of its installed that high.

[@BryantBaudelaire]

Eufy is horrible. I use them for my current house but moving and eufy has been difficult.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I’ve had great experiences with my Eufy stuff.

[@TheAlexispadron]

Try vivint 4k cameras

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Vivint cameras are cheaply made & the resolution is about all that’s going for them. But you can get 4k from plenty of brands. Security companies like Vivint put all their effort in their alarm systems. Cameras are always an afterthought. I’m not a fan. Again, that’s great if you like them.

[@Juicerosemusic]

I want this camera only because of the 24hr recording

[@laurenxcoeli]

I just wish my nest with flood light would still work when it’s cold outside 🙄

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Sorry to hear that. How often does it happen? I’ve got quite a few of those floodlights installed here locally (with our customers) and haven’t had that issue with any of them. It gets pretty cold here too.

[@laurenxcoeli]

@@GeorgeLangabeer it happens every few days. It will randomly work and then say the battery is dead but it’s hardwired in. The flood light works consistently it’s the video that will very often say it’s offline/dead

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

@laurenxcoeli How cold are we talking? You’re sure it’s not a network issue?

[@laurenxcoeli]

@@GeorgeLangabeer it says the battery is dead. Network is good with other devices. Honestly it may not even be the weather? It’s not that cold. 20 degrees F

[@tayloralfred5788]

@@laurenxcoeli run a speed test next to your router. Your cameras use upload speed. So if your upload speed is low, that is the issue. Each camera uses at least 2.5Mbps. If the upload speed is enough to support all your cameras, hard reset your device

[@pluvse]

Why don’t you like the Ring Cameras?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Where do I begin….cheaply made, issues in harsh weather, very susceptible to thieves, horrible fail rate and privacy is so far down on the priority list, it’s borderline criminal.

[@pluvse]

@@GeorgeLangabeer I like the Nest Doorbell but heard it has a long cooldown during notifications , is it really that bad?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

@pluvse No, it’s not. Blown way out of proportion.

[@pluvse]

@@GeorgeLangabeer do you need the same brand for WiFi to get a fully integrated smart home? I have eero 6+ WiFi but would I need to get Nest WiFi Pro 6e if getting a Nest Doorbell?

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

No, you do not. Any good Mesh system will do the trick.

[@Joshuarayfarmer]

So nest isnt going out of business? 🎉

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

“Nest” proper has been out of business for a while now. But I don’t think “Google Nest” will be going anywhere anytime soon. I, like most, miss the old Nest. They were much more innovative.

[@Joshuarayfarmer]

@@GeorgeLangabeer thank ya for the work you do!

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

Thanks for the support!

[@jamesm568]

Hell, the Google Home app itself just sucks. What's even worse these new cameras sucks so bad too. If it doesn't work with the Nest app it's not worth using.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I do t know if you’ve tried the Google Home App lately, but after some updates the Nest Camera interface is now very similar to the Nest App. Before the updates, I 100% agreed with you. As far as the cameras go, we desperately need an updated model for 2024.

[@jamesm568]

@@GeorgeLangabeer Hell, the damn smoke detector from Nest isn't even supported in the Google Home app. I have to use three separate apps for home security now as at one time I only had to use one app. Google doesn't even fully support ADT.

[@contactusece7769]

Google home app is garbage junk every time I reboot my modem I lose my cameras I have to reconnect to the wifi again and again and again pice of junk

[@DekaHaze]

I’ve my 5 nest cameras for 3 years now, outdoor battery, but I have them hardwired, I haven’t had a single problem :/

[@JBiz433]

These Google cameras are absolute garbage. My older Nest ones are bulletproof but the new Google cameras are trash. 80% of the time you need to press retry for the video to appear . Useless for security .

[@braedenclarke8519]

Is someone going to tell him that 1080P is better for lowlight and battery life

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

You can’t tell “him” yourself? Weird. You must be using the wrong cameras, because in 2023/2024 there are plenty of camera brands that are doing cameras in 2K & 4k that are far superior in battery life & low light than any older 1080p cameras out there. So your comment doesn’t make much sense to me. But hey, thanks for the comment & thanks for watching.

[@TheSodFather09]

I would never use WiFi cameras, especially ones from Google , Ring or any other big box company. I don’t understand why people install these over priced cameras. POE cameras are the only way to go. One cable data and power.

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

POE systems are 100% the most reliable way to go. No argument here. But there are people (like myself) that live in places where it’s impossible to run cables for a wired system. So if I suggest WiFi cameras, that’s who I’m suggesting them to.

[@jamesm568]

Wireless cameras are so much easier for homes to break into as they can be easily jammed.

[@robertasanache21]

@@jamesm568Depends, George has a point - if you cannot run cables for PoE then Wifi cameras beats having no security camera. For people that live in more urban areas just use cable for entrance points, use WIFi on more secluded viewpoints. That being said - if you are a high-profile target, cables will not save you either. It always depends on the attacker's available tech

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

I’ve been doing this for nearly 25 years. I’ve installed thousands of systems, wired & wi-fi. I’ve never had a single person fall victim to being “jammed”. Yes, it’s possible…but very rare. If it happens, it’s usually because you’re being targeted.

[@jamesm568]

@@robertasanache21 That is true, but people are also using more wireless devices as wireless jammers are so easy to purchase these days. 2.4 and 5 GHz are so easy to interfere with. Now they are exceptions with other equipment that use different bands. These days thieves are stealing these key fob cars left and right just by standing outside in front of your home with a relay antenna that boost the signal to get to the car when you have your keys hanging up inside.