Nest Cam Outdoor Installation Guide

: June 11, 2024
: Nest

Table of Contents

Nest Cam Outdoor
In the box
What you’ll need
Do this first
Choose a good spot
Mount your camera
Nest Labs, Inc. Limited Warranty Nest Cam Outdoor
Safety
More Information
Nest Cam Outdoor Installation Guide
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Nest Cam Outdoor

Nest-Cam-Outdoor-product

First, a word about privacy

We’re committed to being open and honest about how we use data. We’ll always ask for permission before sharing personally identifiable information like your email address, and we work hard to keep your data safe. To learn more about our Privacy Policy, go to nest.com/privacy

In the box

Nest-Cam-Outdoor-fig-1

CAUTION: The mounting magnet is very strong. Mind your fingers and keep it in the box until you’re ready to use it.

What you’ll need

Wi-Fi and a working broadband internet connection with at least 2 Mbps upload speed. DSL may not qualify.
A phone or tablet with iOS 8 or later or Android 4 or later
A Nest Account
A power outlet
A Phillips screwdriver or power drill with Phillips driver bit

Other items you may need

Drill bit (3/32″ for pilot holes. Or 7/32″ if you’re using wall anchors.)
Ladder

No outdoor outlet?

You can plug Nest Cam Outdoor into an indoor outlet. This requires some extra steps, which may include drilling through your home’s exterior wall. Keep in mind that you’ll need to know where any in-wall pipes and wiring are.

Don’t want to do it yourself?

Nest Cam Outdoor is designed for easy DIY installation, or you can hire a Nest Pro. They’ll take care of the installation and make sure everything’s up and running. Find a local Nest Pro at nest.com/install

Do this first

Turn on Nest Cam indoors
- Start by turning on your camera inside the house to get everything set up before you take it outside. Connect your Nest Cam’s cable to the power adapter. Push and twist the USB connector into place. Then plug the adapter into a power outlet. Your Nest Cam will turn on and you’ll see a blue light.
Add it to your Nest Account
- Download the Nest app from the App Store® or Google Play™. Open the app and tap “Sign up” to create an account. Then tap Add, choose Nest Cam and follow the instructions. If you already have a Nest Account: Tap the settings icon in the top-right corner of the app home screen. Then tap “Add product,” choose Nest Cam and follow the steps. If you need help, go to nest.com/pair
Bring your camera outside
- Once you’ve added Nest Cam to your account, unplug it and take it to the spot you’ve chosen outdoors. Plug it into the outlet you want to use and wait for the green light to turn on. Nest Cam will reconnect to your Wi-Fi network automatically. This may take a minute or two. Keep Nest Cam plugged in for the rest of the installation.
Make sure it’s streaming
- Before you mount the camera, make sure it can get Wi-Fi in the spot you’ve picked. Hold your Nest Cam where you’d like to mount it and check to make sure it’s streaming video to the Nest app. If you don’t see video, the Wi-Fi may not be strong enough there – you’ll need to find a different spot or move your Wi-Fi router.

Choose a good spot

Avoid direct sunlight.
- Nest Cam Outdoor is designed to operate between –4° and 104°F (–20° to 40°C).
- If it gets hotter or colder, image quality may be affected.
Keep it in range of your router.
- Make sure to pick a place within range of your network. Thick or insulated walls can greatly reduce the strength of your Wi-Fi signal even if your router is close by, so you should try streaming video before you mount your camera.
- Learn more at nest.com/wifihelp
Consider the surroundings.
- Is a post, plant or porch light blocking the view? It might throw off exposure, focus or Night Vision. If you start noticing glare, adjust the camera so the horizon is out of frame.
Place it up high.
- But not too high. We find 7 to 10 feet above the ground, tilted downward, is best – close enough to see someone’s face and talk with them through the camera. Check the video in the Nest app to make sure Nest Cam is seeing what you want to see.

Mount your camera

Nest-Cam-Outdoor-fig-11

Place the mounting magnet
- Screw the wall plate onto your wall. It’s a good idea to drill pilot holes first. If the wall is made of a material like brick or stone, you may need to use the included wall anchors to hold the screws. Next, put the magnet onto the wall plate. Got a magnetic surface nearby? The mounting magnet may be all you need. Just put it where you’d like the camera to be and move on to the next step.
Attach the camera
- Put Nest Cam onto the mounting magnet and aim it where you like. Use the video stream in the Nest app to fine-tune your camera’s position.
Mount the power adapter
- Before you mount the power adapter to the wall, take a minute to plan the route of the cable from your outlet to the camera. Be sure to leave some slack at both ends. We recommend installing the weatherproof adapter at least 18 inches above the ground in case of flooding or deep snow. Mount the adapter wall plate with the flat side flush to the wall. When that’s done, snap the power adapter into place.
Secure the cable
- Fasten the cable to the wall using as many of the included cable clips as you need. It’s a good idea to route the cable along a ledge or another hidden place, and you can paint it to match your house. Don’t pull the cable too tight in case you want to adjust the camera angle later on.

Tip: Some outdoor outlets have covers you can lock in place. Use a zip tie or padlock to keep the cover shut.

Nest Labs, Inc. Limited Warranty Nest Cam Outdoor

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, AS WELL AS LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU.

WHAT THIS LIMITED WARRANTY COVERS; PERIOD OF COVERAGE

Nest Labs, Inc. (“Nest Labs”), 3400 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California USA, warrants to the owner of the enclosed product that the product contained in this box (“Product”) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of delivery following the original retail purchase (the “Warranty Period”). If the Product fails to conform to this Limited Warranty during the Warranty Period, Nest Labs will, at its sole discretion, either (a) repair or replace any defective Product or component; or (b) accept the return of the Product and refund the money actually paid by the original purchaser for the Product. Repair or replacement may be made with a new or refurbished product or components, at Nest Labs’ sole discretion.

If the Product or a component incorporated within it is no longer available, Nest Labs may, at Nest Labs’ sole discretion, replace the Product with a similar product of similar function. This is your sole and exclusive remedy for breach of this Limited Warranty. Any Product that has either been repaired or replaced under this Limited Warranty will be covered by the terms of this Limited Warranty for the longer of (a) ninety (90) days from the date of delivery of the repaired Product or replacement Product, or (b) the remaining Warranty Period. This Limited Warranty is transferable from the original purchaser to subsequent owners, but the Warranty Period will not be extended in duration or expanded in coverage for any such transfer.

TOTAL SATISFACTION RETURN POLICY

If you are the original purchaser of the Product and you are not satisfied with this Product for any reason, you may return it in its original condition within thirty (30) days of the original purchase and receive a full refund.

WARRANTY CONDITIONS; HOW TO GET SERVICE IF YOU WANT TO CLAIM UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY

Before making a claim under this Limited Warranty, the owner of the Product must (a) notify Nest Labs of the intention to claim by visiting nest.com/support during the Warranty Period and providing a description of the alleged failure, and (b) comply with Nest Labs’ return shipping instructions. Nest Labs will have no warranty obligations with respect to a returned Product if it determines, in its reasonable discretion after examination of the returned Product, that the Product is an Ineligible Product (defined below). Nest Labs will bear all costs of return shipping to owner and will reimburse any shipping costs incurred by the owner, except with respect to any Ineligible Product, for which owner will bear all shipping costs.

WHAT THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER

This Limited Warranty does not cover the following (collectively “Ineligible Products”): (i) Products marked as “sample” or “Not for Sale”, or sold “AS IS”; (ii) Products that have been subject to: (a) modifications, alterations, tampering, or improper maintenance or repairs; (b) handling, storage, installation, testing, or use not in accordance with the User’s Guide, Placement Guidelines, or other instructions provided by Nest Labs; (c) abuse or misuse of the Product; (d) breakdowns, fluctuations, or interruptions in electric power or the telecommunications network; or (e) Acts of God, including but not limited to lightning, flood, tornado, earthquake, or hurricane; or (iii) any non-Nest Labs branded hardware products, even if packaged or sold with Nest Labs hardware.

This Limited Warranty does not cover consumable parts, including batteries, unless damage is due to defects in materials or workmanship of the Product, or software (even if packaged or sold with the product). Nest Labs recommends that you use only authorized service providers for maintenance or repair. Unauthorized use of the Product or software can impair the Product’s performance and may invalidate this Limited Warranty.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

EXCEPT AS STATED ABOVE IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NEST LABS DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NEST LABS ALSO LIMITS THE DURATION OF ANY APPLICABLE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS TO THE DURATION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.

LIMITATION OF DAMAGES

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS, IN NO EVENT WILL NEST LABS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY DAMAGES FOR LOST DATA OR LOST PROFITS, ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS LIMITED WARRANTY OR THE PRODUCT, AND NEST LABS’ TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THIS LIMITED WARRANTY OR THE PRODUCT WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY PAID FOR THE PRODUCT BY THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

THE NEST LABS ONLINE SERVICES (“SERVICES”) PROVIDE YOU INFORMATION (“PRODUCT INFORMATION”) REGARDING YOUR NEST PRODUCTS OR OTHER PERIPHERALS CONNECTED TO YOUR PRODUCTS (“PRODUCT PERIPHERALS”). THE TYPE OF PRODUCT PERIPHERALS THAT MAY BE CONNECTED TO YOUR PRODUCT MAY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE DISCLAIMERS ABOVE, ALL PRODUCT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE,“AS IS”, AND “AS AVAILABLE”. NEST LABS DOES NOT REPRESENT, WARRANT, OR GUARANTEE THAT PRODUCT INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE, ACCURATE, OR RELIABLE OR THAT PRODUCT INFORMATION OR USE OF THE SERVICES OR PRODUCT WILL PROVIDE SAFETY IN YOUR HOME. YOU USE ALL PRODUCT INFORMATION, THE SERVICES, AND THE PRODUCT AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK.

YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR (AND NEST LABS DISCLAIMS) ANY AND ALL LOSS, LIABILITY, OR DAMAGES, INCLUDING TO YOUR WIRING, FIXTURES, ELECTRICITY, HOME, PRODUCT, PRODUCT PERIPHERALS, COMPUTER, MOBILE DEVICE, AND ALL OTHER ITEMS AND PETS IN YOUR HOME, RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PRODUCT INFORMATION, SERVICES, OR PRODUCT. PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDEDBY THE SERVICES IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DIRECT MEANS OF OBTAINING THE INFORMATION. FOR EXAMPLE, A NOTIFICATION PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR AUDIBLE AND VISIBLE INDICATIONS IN THE HOME AND ON THE PRODUCT, NOR FOR A THIRD PARTY MONITORING SERVICE THAT MONITORS ALARM STATE.

YOUR RIGHTS AND THIS LIMITED WARRANTY

This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other legal rights that vary by state, province, or jurisdiction. Likewise, some of the limitations in this Limited Warranty may not apply in certain states. The terms of this Limited Warranty will apply to the extent permitted by applicable law. For a full description of your legal rights you should refer to the laws applicable in your jurisdiction and you may wish to contact a relevant consumer advisory service.

Safety

PLACEMENT GUIDELINES

To avoid risk of overheating and burns:

Use only in temperatures between –4° and 104°F (–20° to 40°C).
Keep out of direct sunlight.
Do not block airflow to Nest Cam.

To avoid risk of fire and shock

Use only the provided USB cable and power adapter.
Install in accordance with building and installation codes where you live. For example, if your desired electrical outlet is exposed to direct rain, the electrical code may require that the outlet have a while-in-use cover.
We recommend using only an electrical outlet equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (look for “Test” and “Reset” buttons on your outlet).

To avoid risk of other serious injury

Keep camera and all components out of the reach of children and pets.
If your Nest Cam is installed more than 6.5 feet (2 m) above the ground, make sure you’ve got a cable clip close to the camera head (19.5 inches or 50 cm from the base).