Google Nest – Configure Home/Away Assist for Cameras and Doorbells

Category: Cameras & Doorbells > Home/Away Assist

Answer:

Home/Away Assist can automatically turn compatible Google Nest cameras and doorbells on or off when your home switches between Home and Away modes.

Enable or Disable Home/Away Assist

1. Open the Nest app.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Home/Away Assist.
4. Tap Nest Cameras and Doorbells.
5. Select the camera or doorbell you want to configure.
6. Turn Home/Away Assist On or Off.

How Cameras and Doorbells Respond

Home Mode
• Cameras and doorbells can be configured to turn off automatically when someone is home.
• This helps provide additional privacy while the home is occupied.

Away Mode
• Cameras and doorbells can automatically turn on when everyone leaves home.
• This allows the devices to monitor activity while the home is unoccupied.

Important Notes

• Nest cameras and doorbells use different triggers than some other Nest products.
• Cameras are controlled by your phone’s location or when you manually change your home’s status to Home or Away.
• Device activity sensors from other Nest products do not automatically control camera status.

Camera Scheduling and Home/Away Assist

If a camera schedule is also configured:

• The camera follows both its schedule and Home/Away Assist settings.
• This can create unexpected behavior if both features attempt to control the camera.

Recommended Practice

Use either a camera schedule or Home/Away Assist whenever possible. Running both at the same time may cause the camera to turn on or off at times you do not expect.