Install Nest doorbell with an indoor power adapter

The Nest Doorbell (wired) is designed to replace a wired doorbell and use your home’s current doorbell chime. The Nest Doorbell (battery) can either replace a wired doorbell and use your home’s doorbell chime, or use its internal rechargeable batteries to stay powered. If your home doesn’t have a doorbell system, or if your doorbell system won’t work with the Nest doorbell, you can use an indoor power adapter to install your doorbell instead. Important: The indoor power adapter is sold separately from the Nest doorbell. You can purchase the indoor power adapter from the Google Store.

Safety tips

You’ll need to drill a hole completely through your home’s exterior wall to run the power cable to a power outlet inside your home. Before you do, consider the following:

• You need to know where any in-wall plumbing and electric wiring are.
• Check the building codes where you live to make sure your installation is safe.
• You can contact a local pro if you don’t feel comfortable drilling all the way through the wall.

WARNING: Do not plug the adapter into an outdoor power outlet. It isn’t weatherproof.

Install Nest Doorbell (battery)

1. Check that you have everything for installation

Important: Although your doorbell comes with most of the parts you need for installation, you’ll need to purchase the indoor power adapter separately.

Check that you have all the parts included in the box.

What’s included in the box

• Nest Doorbell (battery)
• Wall plate
• Wedge
• Wire extenders (Note: You won’t need these for battery-powered installation)
• Screws
• Wall anchors
• Spacers
• Unlock tool
• USB-C to USB-A charging cable

Need a wedge?

The Nest Doorbell (battery) already comes with a wedge that you can use to adjust the doorbell’s camera angle if it’s located in a corner. This wedge can angle your doorbell horizontally up to 20°.

If your doorbell needs a wider horizontal angle or if you need to adjust the angle vertically, you can purchase a Made for Google doorbell wedge.

Tools

• Phillips screwdriver
• Power drill
  • Phillips drill bit
  • 1/4’’ (6.35 mm) drill bit (for wall anchors)
  • 3/32’’ (2.38 mm) drill bit (optional, to drill into hard materials like brick and stucco)
• Bubble level (to check doorbell alignment)

App and internet requirements

• The Google Home app
• A compatible phone (to connect to Wi-Fi and use the Home app)
• Your Wi-Fi network name and password
• A broadband internet connection, with at least 2 Mbps for your doorbell

2. Charge your doorbell before installation

Use the included USB-C cable to fully charge your doorbell for battery-powered installation. Keep it plugged in during setup so that it can connect to the app and the Wi-Fi network.

The status light will pulse white when your doorbell is charging, and will appear solid white when it’s completely charged.

3. Connect your doorbell to the app with the QR code

 Follow the steps below to add your doorbell to the app and begin installation.

1. If you haven’t already, download the Google Home app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the Home app . If prompted, sign in with your Google Account.
3. On the home screen, tap Add device or service .
4. Select Set up device .
5. Tap New device.
6. Choose the home you want to add your doorbell to, or select Add another home to create a new one. Then, tap Next.
7. The app will try to look for nearby devices. If prompted, select the Nest Doorbell battery as the device you want to set up.
8. Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the back of the doorbell. You can also tap Continue without scanning and enter the numbers near the QR code.
9. The app will help walk you through setup. When the app asks you what you’ll use to power your doorbell, select Battery. Complete setup and installation instructions in the app.

4. Drill a hole for the adapter cable

Safety tips

You’ll need to drill a hole completely through your home’s exterior wall to run the power cable to a power outlet inside your home. Before you do, consider the following:

• You need to know where any in-wall plumbing and electric wiring are.
• Check the building codes where you live to make sure your installation is safe.
• You can contact a local pro if you don’t feel comfortable drilling all the way through the wall.

WARNING: Do not plug the adapter into an outdoor power outlet. It isn’t weatherproof.

1. Unmount your doorbell. Insert the release tool to unlock the latch at the top.
2. From the outside of your home, measure the midpoint between the top and bottom of the back plate. Use that point to drill a hole for the adapter cable to pass through.
3. After drilling the hole, pass the adapter cable from the inside of your home to the outside.

5. Connect adapter to your doorbell and plug it in

1. Connect the adapter wire ends to the wire terminals on the back of your doorbell.
2. Re-mount your doorbell.
3. Plug in the adapter into an indoor power outlet. If preferred, you can drill holes to install wall anchors to neatly place the adapter cable along the wall.

Your doorbell will use the power from the indoor power adapter to stay charged.

Install Nest Doorbell (wired)

Note: The steps in this article are different from the steps to install the Nest doorbell in the app. So, you’ll need to skip some steps in the app and follow them here instead.

What you’ll need for installation

Important: The Indoor Power Adapter is sold separately from the Nest doorbell. You can purchase the adapter from the Google Store.

What’s in the box

• Nest Doorbell wired
• Wall plate
• Wedge
• Chime connector
• Wire extenders
• Drill bit
• Screws
• Release tool

Tools

• Phillips screwdriver 
• Power drill
• Phillips bit
• 11/32 in (9 mm) drill bit that’s long enough to go completely through your home’s exterior wall
• Hammer
• Pencil
• Bubble level (to check doorbell alignment) 

App and connection requirements

• The latest version of the Home app or Nest app
• A compatible phone (check the requirements here)
• Your Wi-Fi network name and password
• A broadband internet connection, with a minimum of 2 Mbps upload speed for your doorbell (and each Nest camera in your home)

1. Turn the power off

Go to your home’s breaker or fuse box and turn the power off to anything near the door where you’re installing your doorbell (the existing doorbell, porch lights, power outlets, etc.). This will protect you while you drill through the wall. Try to turn the porch lights on to confirm that the power is off. If needed, you can switch off the main power at the breaker box.

2. Add your doorbell with the QR code

 Before you open the app

1. Have your Wi-Fi network and password handy to connect the Nest doorbell to the app and the internet.
2. Enable your phone's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
3. Check your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you want to connect your doorbell to.

The Nest app

If you're new to Nest

1. Download the Nest app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Open the app  and create an account.
3. On the app home screen, tap Add .
4. Scan the QR code on the back of your doorbell. You can also tap Continue without scanning and type the numbers at the top of the QR code.
5. The app will help walk you through installation and setup. Do not close the app.

If you already have an account

1. Open the Nest app.
   Note: If you have more than one home in your account, make sure that you’ve first selected the Nest home where you want to install your doorbell. Tap Menu  in the top left of the home screen to change homes.
2. In the top right corner of the app home screen, tap Settings .
3. Select Add product .
4. Scan the QR code on the back of your doorbell. You can also tap Continue without scanning and type the numbers at the top of the QR code.

3. Skip the app instructions

When the app asks you to find the chime connector included with your Nest doorbell, tap Skip.  Follow the instructions in this article to install your doorbell with the Indoor Power Adapter. You’ll come back to the app instructions later.

4. Check if you need to use the wedge

You can use the included wedge if you’re installing your doorbell in a corner, or you simply want to change the viewing angle a bit. Stick the wedge onto the wall plate with the adhesive strips. Make sure you install the wedge the right way You can flip the wedge to angle the camera in the opposite direction.  The horizontal screw hole on the wall plate should be on the bottom (as pictured).

5. Drill and install the wall plate

 If you are replacing your current doorbell, you might be able to mount your Nest doorbell over the old doorbell button’s location. However, you might need to drill a new hole or remove the current doorbell wires and drill out the existing hole so the power adapter’s cable can pass through the wall.

If you don’t have a doorbell, install your doorbell about 4 feet (1.2 meters) high- this is where most doorbells are located.

Use the wall plate to mark holes to drill for the cable and the screws. Use a bubble level to check that the wall plate is straight. Important: The doorbell wires must come through the bottom of the wall plate hole (as pictured). If they don’t, they can prevent the doorbell from locking onto the wall plate. With an 11/32 inch (9 mm) drill bit, drill a hole for the power cable completely through the wall. Note: You’ll need to know where any in-wall plumbing and electric wiring are before drilling. Drill pilot holes for the screws with a 3/32 inch (2 mm) drill bit. Use the included masonry bit and wall anchors if you’re drilling into stone, stucco, or other hard materials. Mount the wall plate with the screws. Important: Make sure the wall plate is right side up. The Nest logo should be at the bottom.

6. Run the power cable through the wall

1. Go inside your home and slip the wall grommet over the adapter cable.
2. Run the cable through the hole to the outside.

Important: Don’t plug in the adapter yet. You might damage it if the wire ends touch each other. Keep it unplugged until you finish installation.

7. Connect the adapter wires to your doorbell

It doesn’t matter which terminal you connect a wire to. Make sure the screws are snug and that the wires point down as shown. This is so excess wire can be tucked back into the wall, letting the doorbell properly connect to the wall plate.

8. Mount your doorbell

Slide the top of the doorbell into the wall plate. Press until the doorbell clicks into place. If it doesn’t seat properly or you don’t hear a click, check that you’ve fully tucked any excess wire back into the hole. Tip: If you ever need to remove your Nest doorbell, push the included release tool into the hole on the bottom to unlock it. You can also use a thumb tack or paper clip.

9. Switch the power on and plug in the adapter

1. Skip ahead in the app until it asks you to switch the power back on.
2. Turn the power on at your breaker or fuse box.
3. Plug the power adapter into the indoor wall outlet.
   Note: You can use an extension cord to reach if needed. If you have excess cable, you can either tuck it back into the hole in the wall or use a cable tie to wrap it up.

10. Check your doorbell's power

Once it’s plugged in, your Nest doorbell should turn on, and its light ring should turn blue.

Troubleshooting

If the light ring doesn’t turn on, double check that the adapter is plugged in to a live power outlet. Then unplug the adapter and plug it back in. Also make sure the wires are properly connected to the back of the doorbell lo and that the screws are snug.

11. Finish setup with the app

 1. Connect to Wi-Fi

Tell the app where you installed your doorbell. Then select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

Troubleshoot issues

• If your doorbell can’t connect to your Wi-Fi network, you can try moving your router a bit closer or adding a Wi-Fi extender.
• If you already have a Nest product installed in your home, your doorbell will try to get your Wi-Fi info from it. Try moving it closer to your doorbell if possible or, temporarily uninstall your doorbell and plug it in closer to the assisting product while you try connecting to Wi-Fi again.

2. Test the video stream

Once your doorbell is connected to Wi-Fi and the app, the app will test the video.

3. Turn the chime off and test

Before you test your doorbell, turn off the chime option in the app, even if you don’t have a wired doorbell chime installed.

1. Exit setup by tapping Done.
2. Tap your doorbell on the app home screen. Then tap Settings .
3. Switch “Indoor chime” off.
4. Press your doorbell’s button to check that it’s working. You should also get a notification from the app that someone’s at your door.

12. Use your doorbell

Learn more about Nest doorbell basics, how to change settings, and more at Get started using your Nest Doorbell (wired).