Is It Possible To Record A Nest Cam Locally? (Find Out Now!)

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

Home security has advanced significantly in the last several years now that it is affordable and accessible. Companies such as Google Nest and Ring allow you to add a layer of security to your home without spending a fortune. So, is it possible to record a Nest cam locally?

It is possible to record a Nest Cam locally even if you don’t have a subscription. A Nest Cam won’t upload footage to the cloud when you record locally. Google Nest Cams allow you to view local footage for up to 3 hours after you record it.

You can still benefit from the increased security even if you only record your Nest Cam locally. It may not be as useful as if you pay for the subscription service, but locally recording is helpful. Follow allow as we explore how it is possible to record a Nest Cam locally.

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Does Nest Record Without Subscription?

Google Nest Cams can record footage without a subscription. It is possible to record a Nest Cam locally, but you are limited as far as storing the footage. Google Nest Cams don’t upload footage that you record locally to the cloud, so you cannot store it.

You can only view the footage for 3 hours after you record it. Users must manually record local footage with a Google Nest Cam without a premium subscription. Otherwise, premium subscribers can benefit from automatic recording and cloud storage.

A Google Nest Cam can also record locally if you lose your Wi-Fi connection whether you subscribe or not. This is useful during power outages, but it is only possible with later models.

Do Nest Cams Automatically Record?

Google Nest cameras do not automatically record what is happening at your house. It only live-streams to your cell phone or to wherever you pull up the mobile app. The only way a Nest Cam records what’s going on at your house is if you have a Nest Aware subscription.

With a Nest Aware subscription, a password-protected live stream can be shared with your family or a neighbor. When you are on vacation, sharing this with a neighbor can save your valuables and damage to your property.

Do Nest Cameras Record All the Time?

A Google Nest Cam can record all the time if you choose and pay for the Nest Aware Plus program. This allows you to record and store footage 24/7 so that you don’t have to manually record or wait for motion or an event. It costs $6 per month to access the 24/7 plan so that it will record all the time.

You can switch back and forth between 24/7 recording and event-based recording at will. This allows you to save on energy bills and extend the life of your Google Nest Cam. You can still use Event History with Nest Aware instead of the 24/7 History.

Users have up to 60 days to go to your Nest mobile app and view your event-based recordings. If you use the 24/7 History, you can access your continuous recordings for 30 to 60 days, depending on your chosen subscription.

Are There Various Types of Google Nest Cameras?

There are several types of Google Nest cameras, including the Nest Cam, Nest Camera, and Nest Camera IQ. You can get the Nest Camera wired, battery-powered only, or run on battery with the option to run to power j ust to charge the battery or all the time. The Nest Camera IQ comes in indoor and outdoor models. Some models can be used indoors or outdoors.

Is It Possible to Record Nest Cam Locally?

It is possible to record locally with Google Nest security cameras. Nest cameras, all of them, can record Event History, which is event-based or motion detection video locally without subscribing to Nest Aware. The downside is that you can only view the videos for up to three hours after the event has taken place. Here is how local recording works in other instances:

How to Record Locally With Nest Cam If You Have a Nest Aware Subscription

If your camera is set up and powered, plus, you have a Nest Aware subscription in place, you can follow these steps to record locally:

  • Use your favorite web browser to log into your Nest account on the Nest website.
  • Choose the camera containing the desired video.
  • In the lower right corner of your screen, click Clips (Tip: You must enlarge the browser window in order to see it.).
  • Click Create Clip, which should make sliders appear on the page.
  • Drag each respective slider forward or backward to select the starting and ending points of your video.
  • Name your clip something relative to what is in it, and click Save.
  • A pop-up will appear with the option to View Your Clip. Click on View Your Clip.
  • Watch your clip. If it is how you wish it to be, click Done.
  • If not, you have the steps to try again.

How Nest Cam Stores Video Locally When Its Battery-Powered Camera Is Offline

When using the backup battery, your battery-powered camera has a limit to what it can record locally. Here are some helpful facts about how local video storage works when a Nest camera’s battery-powered camera is offline.

If your Nest camera, and thus its battery, is connected to a power source through the battery charger, and it has a 24/7 Video History subscription, it will continuously record for roughly eight minutes before switching back to its default, which is event-based recording.

Your battery can hold up to one hour of videos when it’s offline. Nest cameras set at a high video quality or a lot of activity will shorten that hour to minutes that it takes to fill its internal memory. For security purposes, Nest cameras’ internal memories aren’t available.

When using its battery backup, the setting of its maximum video clip length will be reached. If your camera is in the process of recording an event and the maximum time is reached, it will shut off and save. It will do this even if the event is still in progress.

Are There Other Ways to Record Locally With Nest Cameras?

Yes, several hacks exist on the Internet that will let you record locally without a subscription with your Google Nest security camera. The trouble is that they are not safe. Hackers can sometimes use these to get inside your system to snoop or worse, suck your device into their botnets for other purposes. You are much safer to use the device as it is meant to be used.

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Related Questions

Is My Nest Cam Compatible With Other Nest and Google Home Devices?

Google, LLC is one of the biggest names in technology with its own search engine, cloud computing, hardware, software, and online advertising technologies. Google makes Nest devices, including Nest cameras. Nest cameras are compatible with an array of other Nest and Google Home devices.For instance, your Nest camera is compatible with your Nest Hub Max, and it is also compatible with your Google Chromecast (3rd Generation).


Is Google Nest Being Discontinued?

Google sold Nest home security products from 2017 through 2020, but they have now been discontinued and Google will no longer sell home security devices. To see how long the products will function normally with the app or receive security updates, check the Google website or contact Google.

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Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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