How to Install Nest Cameras Indoors and Outdoors

Google Nest has four awesome cameras that livestream footage from inside or outside your home. Whether this is your first camera installation or one of many, we’ve laid out installation instructions for Nest’s indoor and outdoor cameras.

Do you have your Nest camera ready? Click on one of the links below to jump to installation instructions for your camera.

Nest Cam Outdoor cameras are awesome additions to your Google-compatible home security or surveillance system. They have excellent night vision and powerful livestreaming features like motion detection and two-way audio.

Here’s what you’ll need to start installing your Nest Cam Outdoor.¹

• A strong Wi-Fi signal (2 Mbps upload speed or higher)
• A mobile device with the Nest app installed
• An active Nest account
• An indoor or outdoor power outlet
• A power drill with Phillips driver bit or standard Phillips screwdriver

Before you get started with installation, figure out where you want to put your new Nest camera. Avoid areas with direct sunlight or plants that might block the picture.

Make sure your camera can still receive a signal from your home router too. Nest recommends finding a spot about 7 to 10 feet off the ground for the best results.

Your Nest Cam Outdoor doesn’t have batteries, so it needs to stay plugged in at all times. Find an outdoor plug with a cover or choose a spot where a cord can reach indoors. Like the Nest Cam IQ, you can drill a hole into your house and feed the cord through that.

Once you’ve picked a location for installation, get started by activating and registering your camera.

You’ll need to have the Nest app and your account login. Follow the instructions on the app to add your new camera to your Nest account. The camera’s livestream goes straight to the app, so you can check the picture quality and test the camera out before installing it.

When you see live footage on the Nest app, your Nest Cam is ready to go outside.

Take your Nest camera outdoors and plug it into an outlet inside. Be sure it can still livestream from the location you’ve picked. You’ll need a strong Wi-Fi connection for the best experience with a security camera like Nest.

If you can’t see a livestream from the camera on the Nest app, you may need to pick a spot closer to your router or move the router closer to the camera.

Your Nest Cam uses a super strong magnet to stick to the wall mount. Start by marking pilot holes on the wall or post where you’ll install the camera. Use wall anchors and masonry drill bits if you’re mounting your camera to brick or stone.

Secure the mounting plate to the wall with two of the included screws.

Once the mounting magnet is securely placed on the wall or post, place your camera on the magnet. You can adjust the angle by looking at the livestream from the Nest app. Be sure it’s in a spot with a clear view, free from direct sunlight, plants, and structures that might block the picture.

Unless you have the Nest Cam Battery, your Nest camera needs to be plugged in at all times, so be sure your cable can reach an outlet comfortably. You’ll have about 10 feet of cable to work with and cable anchors to keep the cord from coming loose.

Nest recommends leaving a little slack on both ends of the cable to provide enough cabling to reach. We recommend hiding the cable or keeping it high on the side of your house to prevent tampering. Outdoor plug covers can protect your outlet and the cable inside.

Install the weatherproof adapter around 18 inches off the ground and flush against the wall. Use one of the provided screws to secure the wall plate then snap the adapter to the wall plate.

Next, secure the cable with the provided cable clips and screws. There are nine clips in the Nest kit—use as many as you need to keep the cable secure.

Secure the cable in a hidden or out of reach spot to avoid tampering. You can paint over the cable to camouflage it too.

Once you’ve finished installing your Nest Cam Outdoor, check the livestream and make adjustments for the best picture.

The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera has a 4K sensor that provides a crystal clear picture in broad daylight or the middle of the night. Its 12x digital zoom is powerful enough to capture license plates and faces from far away. It’s also easy to set up. Follow these installation instructions to get your Nest Cam IQ Outdoor up and running.²

Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

• A strong Wi-Fi connection (with at least 2 Mbps upload speed)
• The Nest app and account
• An indoor power outlet 
• A power drill with Phillips bit

Optional, but recommended from Nest: 

• 3/32-inch drill bits for pilot holes
• 7/32-inch drill bits for wall anchors
• ½-inch drill bits for cable hole 
• Caulk to seal the wall plate
• A ladder if you’re installing higher on the wall

Before you pick up a drill, scout out a good spot to place your new Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. The power cable for the IQ Outdoor camera is 25 feet, so measure out this distance before doing any installation.

It will need to be close enough to your router to receive a Wi-Fi signal and an indoor plug to get power. It also helps to plan your cabling path before starting installation.

Look for a spot that won’t be blocked by trees, bushes, or direct sunlight. The side of your garage, near a gate, or near your back door are all good places to start.

Start inside your house by plugging your Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera into an outlet and adding it to your Nest account.

Download the Nest app and log in using your account information. Follow the instructions to add your new camera to your account. You’ll know the camera is up and running by the live video feed in the app.

Keep your camera plugged in and take it where you want to install it. Check the live feed to see how the Wi-Fi connection holds up. If the video starts lagging or freezing, the connection may not be strong enough for reliable footage.

You can choose a new spot for installation or move your router closer to where you want to install the camera.

The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor has a wall plate with a hole through the center for the power cable. You can either drill through your outside wall and run the cable through or lead the cable around and into the plate. This step is why planning a cable path beforehand is so important.

The good news is either option works. If you’re drilling into brick or stone, you’ll need a masonry drill bit and the wall anchors included with your camera.

Once you’ve picked a spot, use the wall plate to mark where to drill. Use a 3/32-inch drill bit to create pilot holes for the wall plate. If you’re using wall anchors, choose a 7/32-inch bit for the wall anchors.

Seal the plate with caulk, leaving a small gap for water to drain.

If you’re drilling through the wall, place the wall plate over the hole and route the cable through. If not, route the cable through the indented space on the wall plate for the cord to connect to the camera.

Nest has a helpful video to show you how this step is done.

Once the wall plate is in place, you can add your Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera. Plug the cable into the back of the camera and click it into place on the wall plate.

When the camera receives power, it will connect to your Wi-Fi and you’ll be able to see video feed through the app. Adjust the camera to improve the picture.

After you’ve positioned your camera, secure the cable. The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor comes with 8 cable clips you can use to hold the cable to an inside or outside wall. Use as many as you need.

For a neat cable path, follow a ledge or corner with your clips. You can paint over the cable, but we don’t recommend painting the camera itself.

Finally, make adjustments as needed to your camera’s position or its cable. Check the camera’s two-way audio, zoom, and activity tracking to make sure all its features work.

The Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam IQ Indoor cameras have the same installation steps. It just takes a few minutes and most of the setup can be done on your phone.³

Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

• Nest Cam Indoor or Nest Indoor IQ camera
• The Nest app (for tablet or smartphone)
• An indoor outlet
• Wi-Fi network with 2 Mbps upload speed or higher

Start your Nest camera installation by downloading the Nest app onto your phone or tablet. The app works for Android devices 5.0 and up and iOS devices 12.0 and later. Once the app is on your device, open it up and sign in using your Nest account login.

Now it’s time to power up your Nest Indoor camera. Both the IQ and standard indoor cameras can stand up on their own. So plug the power cord into the camera and the wall, and leave the camera on a stable surface while you’re installing it.

The Nest cam will chime when it starts up. If you have the Nest IQ Indoor camera, you’ll also see a blue ring of light around the lens.

Sign in to your account if you aren’t already in. Once you’ve logged in, tap the plus sign to add your new device. If you already have Nest products on your account, tap the Settings icon, and find Add Product to continue.

From here, the app will ask you to scan the QR code on your new camera. Line up the QR code with the green box in the app so it can read it. This doesn’t have to be perfect, but it helps to do this step in a well-lit area without shadows.

Next, name your camera to reflect its location. The app will provide a few popular options like “living room” or “kids’ room” that you can choose from.

The name you assign your Nest Cam Indoor or IQ Indoor will appear when the camera sends notifications to your phone. So choose a name that makes sense to you.

Now it’s time to connect your camera to the home Wi-Fi. The app will lead you to this step once you’ve named the location of the camera. Find your home network and type in the password.

Once your camera is connected to your home Wi-Fi and the Nest app, you’re done! Check the Nest app to see what the camera sees and put it into position. Both the Nest IQ and standard Nest Cam Indoor have wide views, allowing them to see most of a room and make out people’s faces.

Avoid placing your camera in direct sunlight or facing out the window. This can distort the picture. While making adjustments, try zooming in and looking for obstacles in its path.

Finally, test the video stream to make sure the picture captures what you want to see.

This is an optional step, but you can mount the indoor camera to the wall of the nursery, hallway, or anywhere you’d like. You’ll just need a Phillips screwdriver or power drill with a Phillips bit. If you’re installing your camera onto a hard surface like brick or stone, you’ll need a masonry drill bit.

• Test the Wi-Fi connection on the wall first. You’ll want to make sure the camera has a good connection before mounting it to the wall. 
• Mark holes on the wall with a pencil using the wall mount so you know where to place the screws. 
• Use the two included screws to mount the plate to the wall. 
• Place the camera on the wall mount, and you’re done!

Although installing a Nest doorbell camera is a straightforward task, small variations depend on choosing a wired or battery-powered installation.

We prefer using existing doorbell wires with video doorbells since you have a way to charge batteries without dismounting the camera every couple of months to charge via USB. It also connects the doorbell to a mechanical chime inside your home so it can work as a low-tech doorbell button when you're not recording video.

The entire install process takes about 15 minutes with the following steps:

1. Charge the doorbell if using a Nest Doorbell (Battery).

2. Install the Google Home app on your phone and sign in with your Google account.

3. Set up your doorbell using the app.

4. Turn off the power to your existing doorbell and remove the old button to access the wiring behind.

5. Install the Nest doorbell mounting bracket where the old button was.

• Install the included wedge first if you choose to use it.

6. Attach the included wiring connectors to the back of the doorbell—it doesn't matter which wire goes on which screw.

7. Insert the doorbell wiring into the connectors and thread the excess wires into the wall before mounting.

8. Press the doorbell against the bracket and pull it down to lock it in place.

This process is the same for both Nest video doorbell models, though you might need to install an additional chime connector with the Nest Doorbell (Wired).

If you want more flexibility to install your doorbell wherever you want, then the Nest Doorbell (Battery) can work anywhere it has a Wi-Fi connection. The installation process is simpler, though you need to remove the battery for recharging. It comes with a USB-C charging cable and no USB adapter, but the odds are high that you have a spare adapter in your junk drawer.

• Nest Secure System Review 
• Best Wireless Cameras
• How to Connect Your Nest Products to Google Home
• Nest Camera Troubleshooting

1. Nest Support, “Nest Cam Outdoor Installation Guide”
2. Nest Support, “Nest Cam IQ outdoor security camera installation guide”
3. YouTube, “How to Setup and Install Nest Cam Indoor”