Select a location for your Google Nest camera or doorbell. Consider what you want to keep an eye on, things that can block or affect the view, and the Wi-Fi range.
If you plan to talk to people, make sure the microphone and speaker aren’t blocked.
It’s best to check live and recorded video to make sure that it meets your expectations, and adjust your installation as needed. Use the app to check that your camera has a clear view of what you want.
Your camera has a wide-angle lens which gives you a lot of options for camera placement. You won’t get alerts if motion happens in areas obstructed from view, so check the app to make sure your camera can view the whole scene clearly.
Lighting
Make sure your camera is set up to avoid backlighting. Backlighting occurs when a light source shines towards your camera. This makes people and other objects appear dark or blacked out, and video quality will be affected.
For instance, to record your front porch make sure that the porch lights don’t shine into your camera.
Night Vision can be affected by nearby objects and those surfaces could reflect infrared light and hamper your camera’s ability to view things in the distance.
If you get a lot of glare, place your camera a little higher and angle it downward.
Range or field of view
Important: If your camera runs on battery power, focusing your camera on a smaller area can help save battery power. Learn more about how to save battery power for Nest cameras and doorbells.
Generally, closer is better so your camera can capture more detail. For example, an adult of average height should be no more than 20 ft away from your camera.
Night Vision relies on infrared LEDs to light the subjects in view. If you want to monitor activity at night, place your camera close to the area of interest.
Zoom
If you need to place your camera far from the spot you want to watch, use your camera’s zoom feature to get a closer look. Change the video zoom setting in the app to keep your camera zoomed in all the time.
Your camera gets a better view of people when it’s placed at head level or a little higher. Adjust the angle so your camera looks slightly downward and can easily view people’s faces, even if they’re wearing a hat.
- Nest Cam (battery) should be placed between 6 and 6.5 ft (1.8 and 2 m) high for optimal detection. If you plan to mount your camera higher than 6.5 ft (2 m) above the ground, you may want to purchase a Made for Google mount accessory.
- Your doorbell’s camera has a tall field of view, so installing it 4 ft (1.2 m) high can help it view people and packages.
Review the Safety guidelines. When you use your camera to watch your kids, keep the camera and its power cable out of reach. If you plan to install your camera more than 6.5 ft (2 m) above the ground, take precautions and securely mount it.
Your camera needs good air circulation. Do not install it in any kind of small box or enclosure as this can cause overheating.
Keep your camera out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
To help discourage intruders, install your camera in a place where it can easily be seen and make sure its status light is on.
But if you prefer your camera to blend in, you can place it near objects with similar characteristics, like similarly colored items on a shelf.
Secure your camera properly during installation. Learn how to protect against tampering and theft.
To avoid getting false familiar face alerts from people in TV shows and movies, point your camera away from the TV.
If your desired viewing angle includes your TV, you can create an activity zone that excludes the TV. You can also change your camera’s notification settings so it doesn’t send alerts for familiar or unfamiliar faces when you’re home. Learn how to set up familiar face detection.
More placement tips for specific cameras
Nest Cam (battery) should be placed between 6 and 6.5 ft (1.8 and 2 m) high for optimal detection. If you plan to mount your camera higher than 6.5 ft (2 m) above the ground, you may want to purchase a Made for Google mount accessory.
To prevent your camera from falling if it gets knocked off the mount, install Nest Cam (battery) with the secure loop accessory.
Important: Indoor cameras are designed for inside use only. Use them inside only and keep them out of direct sunlight.
Some common indoor camera placements are on a bookcase, on top of the refrigerator, or even at the top of a staircase looking down.
Make the most of an indoor camera that looks outside
If your camera looks out a window, it might perform more poorly. For instance, the window glass may create reflections in your camera’s view. In addition, the window size and location can limit your camera’s view.
This can impact your camera’s video quality or Night Vision. If you have a battery-powered camera, its sensor may not turn on its camera.
If your goal is to record an outdoor space, install one of our outdoor cameras to get the best quality video.
If you prefer to use an indoor camera, here are some tips for pointing it out a window:
- Mount the camera so that the lens is flush against the glass to reduce reflections and glare.
- Avoid windows that have a mesh screen as they can affect motion detection.
Mount your outdoor camera in a shaded spot such as under an eave, or install a small shade above the camera. This can keep the sun from shining directly into the lens, and helps prevent overheating in extreme temperatures.
Check that your camera’s video isn’t getting glare from the sun in the day or from a floodlight at night. If it does, point the camera downward until you get a clear image.
Your doorbell’s camera has a tall field of view, so installing it 4 ft (1.2 m) high can help it view people and packages.
If there’s a wall blocking one side of the view, consider using the included wedge to angle your doorbell.
Respect local laws and others' privacy
Remember, you are responsible for making sure that the way you use your camera complies with the law, including any applicable privacy or data protection laws. Learn about tips for respecting the privacy of others when using Nest products.
If your camera supports familiar face detection, use this feature in compliance with the law. Depending on where you live, you might need to get consent to have your camera help identify people visiting your home.